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Cowichan River

The Cowichan River flows across the southern end of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, from mountainous beginnings at Cowichan Lake, dropping through field and forest to the Strait of Georgia on the southeast coast. The river is a British Columbia Heritage River and a Canadian Heritage River

Hiking

• the Cowichan River Footpath
The 20 kilometre Cowichan River Footpath, between the town of Duncan and Skutz Falls, offers hikers a well-posted route along the rivers' banks. Pass by canyons and waterfalls and cross the Swinging Bridge at Skutz Falls. Some river drop-offs can be steep, so be careful.

Cycling

• Trans Canada Trail
Follow the 15 kilometre trail from Deerholme to Skutz Falls, through Cowichan Provincial Park. This section of Canada's new national trail system follows the abandoned Cowichan Subdivision of the Canadian National Railway corridor, and crosses Holt Creek Trestle, the 64.4 Mile Trestle and Marie Canyon Trestle. Be prepared for varying surface conditions, and make sure you have a solid bike with wide tires.

• Mount Tzouhalem
Mount Tzouhalem near Cowichan Bay has lots of mountain bike trails, including beginners' tracks and advanced jumps.

Paddling

• Cowichan Lake, Cowichan River
Put in at Lakeview Park in Cowichan Lake, and take out in the town of Duncan. Expect a portage at Skutz Falls, and depending on water levels, another at Marie Canyon. Be on the lookout for drops, log jams and rapids.

Camping

• Camping is available at Cowichan River Provincial Park May 15 - September 10, for $14 per night.

Cowichan Provincial Park

The park is easily accessible from Highway 18 between Lake Cowichan and Duncan. There's camping at Stoltz Pool, swimming and tubing at Skutz Falls, a children's beach at Sandy Pool, fishing at Marie Canyon and pleasant picnic areas at every Park location.

Birding in Cowichan Bay Estuary

Watch for rare shorebirds, rufous hummingbirds, yellow-headed blackbirds, feral mute swans and purple martins. The Cowichan Bay Estuary, at the mouth of the Cowichan River, attracts over 200 species of migrant songbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl.