Campgrounds and RV parks near Cowichan Valley F, BC

The Cowichan River and Cowichan Lake are the recreation core. Tourists and locals flock each year to the park to go camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, tubing and canoeing in and along the river corridor, and scuba diving has become more popular in the clear river as it offers great opportunities for fish viewing. Cowichan Lake provides excellent swimming and water-oriented activities: the water is warm in the summer, the sandy beach has a designated swimming area identified by swim buoys, and access to the swimming beach is via the day-use area. Hikers have the Cowichan River Footpath. The trail connects all the river's parks and makes for a scenic hike along the shoreline; originally constructed by fishermen, it is approximately 20 km end to end and takes about 6 ½ hours to hike. For events, Laketown Ranch is an outdoor event facility on Cowichan Lake that hosts multi-day music festivals with on-site camping through summer.

Peak camping runs late spring through early fall. Gordon Bay Provincial Park is open for camping year-round, though some services like hot showers may be unavailable outside of the regular May to October season, and for the warmest lake water, visit in July or August. The driest month is July, with 35 mm of rainfall, so summer is dry and sunny by BC standards. Shoulder seasons trade weather for elbow room. The rewards of being in the area in April and May, in advance of the summer crowds, include having your choice of campsites and witnessing the spectacular display of wildflowers that begin blooming in April. Fall brings the salmon run at Skutz Falls, where visitors can view spawning salmon in the fall, river rapids and a man-made fish ladder. Winter camping is possible but stripped-down. Cowichan River is open March 30 to October 31 with full services and fees; the campground is accessible year round but does not offer services, with no water, firewood or security, and a winter camping fee in effect. At Gordon Bay, the park is open with full services from March 30 to October 31, after which a portion of the campground is open for winter camping from November 1 to March 29, with a winter fee in effect and no water or firewood.

Expect forested sites with river or lake access. The Stoltz Pool campground is situated in a second-growth Douglas fir stand and all sites are well spaced with easy access to the river, and from the campground visitors can enjoy swimming, picnicking and fishing. Sites tend to be shaded, so solar RV setups may need generator backup, and cell coverage varies once past Lake Cowichan. Gordon Bay is the family-oriented pick. The 126-site campground is found in a forested area on Cowichan Lake near the community of Honeymoon Bay and comes with hot showers and a learn to fish program for kids. There are flush and pit toilets, showers and full access for the disabled, and an adventure playground has been constructed for children within the camping area. Wildlife awareness is standard. Black bears, Roosevelt elk, black-tail deer, beaver, raccoons, and cougars can all be spotted in the park. Store food in the RV, pack out garbage, and check fire-ban status before lighting a campfire.