Lake Cowichan

The Lake Cowichan area includes Mesachie Lake, Youbou, and Honeymoon Bay, and is known as the Gateway to the West Coast. Secondary roadways provide access to Port Renfrew and Bamfield which are the trailheads for the West Coast Trail unit of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, as well as to the old-growth forests of Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park.

Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park contains a spectacular and diverse forest ecosystem. It now encompasses 16,450 hectares of coastal rain forest. One of the park's main attractions are enormous sitka spruce which attain heights of over 95 meters (some of the world's largest) and live for more than 800 years. Cedars in the park have been estimated to be more than 1,000 years old.

Lake Cowichan is one of the largest freshwater lakes on the Island at 42 kilometres (26 miles) long and the ideal destination to enjoy fresh water activities such as fishing, swimming, boating or water-skiing. As well as Cowichan, serious anglers will find casting a line in Nitinat, Mesachie, Bear, Kwassin or Grant's Lake a rewarding experience. This area is known as the Fly Fishing Capital of Canada.

Take a scenic drive around the lake which is 75 km (47 miles) tour the Timber West Mill. Tours leave from the Log Cabin Information Centre in the spring, summer and fall. Take time out to see the Skutz Falls fish ladder at Skutz Falls which is also the access point for the Cowichan River Footpath. Try windsurfing at Nitinat Lake, and rock hounding at Meades Creek where the surrounding streams are rich in semi-precious stones, even gold!

Take in a round of golf at March Meadows 9 hole Golf Course in Honeymoon Bay. Features include Practice Range and Practice Green, Clubhouse, Pro Shop, and Dining Facilities.

Gordon Bay Provincial Park, near Honeymoon Bay is an excellent location for camping, fishing and boating. Gordan Bay is possibly the most popular campsite on Cowichan Lake. The 126-site campground has potable water, picnic areas, an adventure playground, a boat launch, kayak rentals, hot showers and more. If you wish to camp here during the summer months it is recommended that you make reservations. Interpertive programs are held during July and August.

Visit the Sutton Creek Wildflower Reserve where a stand of second-growth Douglas Firs becomes a brilliantly colourful display of wildflowers every April.

Take a stroll through the Town of Lake Cowichan to view the recently commissioned murals for the town's buildings. Local artist Michaela Davidson, Lu Stockand and a group of volunteers painted the murals, most of which are on South Shore Road.

Stop by Lake Cowichan's award-winning Kaatza Station Museum which features a mining tunnel, a settler's home, and a train display that includes a 1938 50-ton Shay locomotive and the last wooden caboose used in CN's Western Canada service.

Fishing guides, boat rentals, fishing gear, jet ski rentals and houseboat rentals are available in the area. Accommodations include B & B's, lodges, chalets, cottages and houseboats.