Vancouver Island Gordon Bay Provincial Park

Gordon Bay Provincial Park is a gem of a park with a large fresh water lake set in a rural setting. Gordon Bay Park is located on the shores of Cowichan Lake near the communities of Lake Cowichan and Youbou, BC, just northwest of Duncan, BC.

The fresh water lake is an ideal area for families, couples and adventure seekers who wish to enjoy the outdoors in a green environment surrounded by trees and mountains. Gordon Bay Provincial Park has a large white sandy beach area which compliments the main activities found on Cowichan Lake like swimming, water skiing, wind surfing, sun tanning and canoeing.

There is a campsite on location adjacent to Cowichan Lake for overnight stays. The Gordon Bay Provincial Park is over 51 hectares in size and the park has many amenities to offer it's visitors like the large day use area close to the sandy beach with picnic tables, adventure playground, amphitheatre and flush toilets. The picnic sites all have views of the lake and are protected by the shade of the tall Douglas Fir trees in the area.

Gordon Bay has a large parking lot for day visitors located a few short steps from the sandy beaches of Cowichan Lake. The swimming area is in a protected cove sectioned off by a log boom separating the swimmers and the boaters from each other. A popular activity among the swimmers is walking the connecting logs without falling in. Not as easy as it sounds. But it is possible as we have attempted the great feat with clothes on, as a dare... and made it.

Gordon Bay Provincial Park enjoys some shorter hiking trails that lead you to the shorelines of secluded coves. Often a short hike on the Cowichan Lake trails will end up in a private setting with no one around but wildlife and the sounds of the lake waters slapping against the shores.

Cowichan Lake is well used by boaters, kayakers and canoes during most of the year. The boat launch to this popular fresh water lake is located northeast of the day-use parking lot. Many days in spring, summer and fall the lake waters are busy with jet skis, wannabe water skiers and fisherman.

The fisherman who visit the Gordon Bay Provincial Park area will enjoy the opportunities fishing Cowichan Lake looking for Rainbow, Cutthroat and Dolly Varden trout. A fishing license is mandatory.

How to get to Gordon Bay Provincial Park

Gordon Bay Provincial Park in the Lake Cowichan area is located 35 km northwest of Duncan, BC in the Cowichan Valley on southern Vancouver Island. Follow the signs on Hwy #18 to Lake Cowichan, then 14 km on South Shore Road.