Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
Boating, Hiking, Water Skiing, Wind Surfing, Camping,
Cycling, Biking
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This is a summary of the more popular outdoor
recreational activities in the Lake Cowichan., B.C.,
Canada area. For a more detailed description of
specific activity destinations then please go to Parks
and Trails.
Lake Cowichan is a popular
destination for kayaking, hiking, golfing, wind
surfing, fishing, wildlife viewing, mountain and road biking,
off roading, water skiing, and swimming.
Refer to contact list: Eco-Tourism
Tour and Guides Business Listings. |
- Winery and Vineyards: A popular day trip from Lake Cowichan is a tour of the local wineries spread out around the Cowichan Valley. A short 45 minute drive to the south end of the Cowichan Valley is where you find the bulk of the wineries. Some are award winning wineries and vineyards with many of then selling their wines to international markets. Many of the wineries are
eager to share their brewing crafts and offer tastings and tours.
[ more info on Cowichan Valley wineries and vineyards ... ]
- Swimming: With all the communities surrounding
Cowichan Lake you can only imagine the amount of swimming holes
that are visited regularly. The second largest lake on Vancouver
Island, Cowichan Lake, offers some of the finest conditions
for swimming especially since the lake water is clean and generally
warm. One of the more popular beaches is near Honeymoon Bay
called Gordon
Bay.
- Hiking and Walking: The Lake Cowichan
area has many wilderness hiking and walking trails to explore
like the 66 Mile Trail, Venturers Challenge Trail and Denninger
Scout Trail. Whether hiking or walking within the Lake Cowichan
area there are beautiful opportunities to see waterfalls (Skutz
Falls) and climb mountain vistas. Lake Cowichan is on the fringe
of the Carmanah
Valley and some sweet wilderness backpacking trails
and good hard day hikes.
- Water Skiing: Many of the lakeside resorts and campgrounds in the Lake Cowichan area have private boat launches. There are also public boat launches located around the lake. Summers bring the boaters out of the woodwork, tow rope in hand, water
skis waxed and tubes pumped up. If you have in your possession the
gear and the water toys, Cowichan Lake is the playground. Rentals are available.
- Wind Surfing: The lake water in the middle
of Cowichan Lake can kick up a fuss when the winds start funneling
down the mountains into the valley onto Cowichan Lake. Short
and choppy and fast. Many surfers string up there sails and
flock to where Nitnat Lake feeds into the Pacific Ocean. Waves
and wind funnel into the valley making for good conditions also.
- Canoeing: The second largest lake on Vancouver Island has plenty of shore line to explore by canoe. The south end of the lake is the more popular and safer canoe destination. The middle and north end of the lake can get windy and choppy.
- Lake and River Fishing: A short drive from Lake Cowichan towards Duncan on Hwy #18 is a fisherman's wish-list hiking trail. A 31 km
walking trail stretching along the Cowichan River draws fishing enthusiasts wishing to cast a line and hook one in. Or charter a boat, even bring your own, and fish Cowichan Lake for a chance at catching a Rainbow, Brown Trout or a Kokanee. Nitnat Lake on the north end of Cowichan lake is a popular destination for Cutthroat. Must purchase a fishing licence.
- Boating: The many boat launches and the reality of being the second largest lake on Vancouver Island
draws many recreational and leisure boaters in the late spring, summer and early fall seasons. There
are small motor boats, large ski boats, kayaks, jet skis and canoes. Also, mixed in among the motor boats, exploring the lake, slowly and leisurely, are recreational house boats.
- Golfing: The Lake Cowichan area has a local golf course which is considered by locals and received awards as one of the best 9 hole golf courses around. If including the whole Cowichan Valley, and some short day trips from Lake Cowichan, your golf game opens up to 3 - 18 hole and
4-9 hole golf courses to challenge your handicap.
- Road Cycling: The main route cycling to and from the Lake Cowichan area is via traveling a long, well-paved straight highway (Hwy #18) from Duncan with some pull out areas. To make the touring interesting there is some alternative routes that twist and turn along the backroads from Paldi (near Lake Cowichan) to Duncan exploring along rolling hills surrounded by forested farm fields. Even extended alternate routes like Hwy #19, Riverbottom Road
and if mountain biking take the Cowichan River Trail from Skutz Falls to Glenora along
the Cowichan River into Duncan.
- Beach Worshipping: The chooses are plentiful with a selection of beach
environments including large sandy beaches,
pebbled beaches and little rock clefts. One of the popular parks in the area, Gordon Bay, has a sandy beach, campground, washrooms and swimming area.
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Lake Cowichan
Things to do
Transportation