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Cowichan River Provincial Park

The best camping in Cowichan River Provincial Park, BC

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Stories from the community

Trace

3 weeks ago

Tent

1 night at Rejeanne's Forest on Salt Spring

Great communication! Thank you. Hopefully stay there soon.

Amanda

3 weeks ago

21 ft Class B

1 night at Surrounded by Nature!

We had a great stay with our campervan. The site is easy to find and level and the gravel “patio” and string lights were a nice touch. Quiet with minimal traffic and very close to the park. We would definitely stay again if we find ourselves back in the area.

Julie

November 2025

19 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Surrounded by Nature!

Matt and Jody share a piece of their lovely property steps away from Elk Lake park. Such a quiet, peaceful spot. So convenient to Victoria and the Saanich peninsula. We’ll be returning!

Marley

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Raylia Cottage Farm Stay

What a perfect stay! Michele was a lovely host and the cabin was in such a beautiful, peaceful spot. I loved the vibe of the cabin, cosy with the option to make a fire (loved chopping wood), and lots of cosy dvds' and vhs's to watch on the couch. The cabin also had its own privacy (its far enough from the main house & has its own driveway) which was perfect for us. It's located in a super convenient spot too, probably the best part of the island to stay - right next to a few cute shops, coffee carts and a restaurant while still being tucked away in the woods. Also next to a lovely hike. Would highly recommend!!!

Teejay

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Red Bell Farm

Stayed at Red Bell Farm and it was pure magic. The private peaceful campsite felt like our own slice of serenity, just a short drive from everyday amenities, with wildlife spotting around every corner and trails begging to be explored straight from the back. An unforgettable escape, all thanks to Gary for opening up such incredible land. Pure joy fireside by the pond, plus a simply equipped shared kitchen that made everything easy. Grateful beyond words, a Hipcamp gem for sure!

Jenna

October 2025

2 nights at Shirewoods Farm

Beautiful scenery, wonderful host. Very accommodating.

Carla

October 2025

25 ft Class C

With pets

1 night at Surrounded by Nature!

Located just a walk away from elk lake and a wonderful walk in nature:-)

Some of the ducks enjoying their pond; sadly a bit skittish.

Melissa

October 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Sea Change Farm and Nursery

The two sites at the farm are very private. There was so much to look at - ravens, rabbits, deer, and ducks on the pond. We fit two cars and two tents comfortably at elderberry. The hosts were great and very responsive to our questions. We can't wait to visit again!

Ian

October 2025

27 ft Class C

With pets

Weekend Trip to Decourcy Meadows

Great, private, clean and lots of trails. And great hosts. Dogs had a blast.

Juliet

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Rejeanne's Forest on Salt Spring

Thank you Rejeanne - we had another wonderful peaceful stay on your property! What stood out for us was the quiet, the bird and frog calls, and waking up to the sunshine through the forest. Looking forward to our next visit :-)

Siafon

October 2025

Tent

3 nights at Forest Hideaway

wonderful and expansive property to explore, a huge treehouse to hang out in, and helpful and kind hosts. my friend and i had a wonderful time camping in this little forest hideaway!

A fire pit and firewood are provided. What a great perk!

Amanda

September 2025

27 ft travel trailer

With pets

4 nights at Decourcy Meadows

We enjoyed Decourcy Meadows place so much that we went back for a second stay at the end of our trip. Once again, everything was great! Rod and his wife were super accommodating. If you are looking for a quiet place with full hookups this should be on your list of places to check out!

Simon

September 2025

19 ft campervan

With pets

3 nights at Ohana Farms

We loved our camping experience on Aaron’s farm. There’s so much space and a bunch of nice clean outhouses. Conveniently close walk to the Pender Island “downtown” area. Had the most relaxing time.

Coral

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Camas Creek Retreat

We enjoyed our weekend stay in the cabin! Upon arrival, Heloise and Ruth were welcoming and showed my husband and I around the property, and the details of the cabin space. It’s about a 40 minute drive from downtown Victoria and easy to find markets and shops from the cabin. The cabin has a fence around the front and is backed up against a small hillside. The bedroom is complete enclosed in the cabin space, but the rest (kitchen, dining, and shower) are more of an open concept space. Outside has a cozy ceiling heater where we played cards on the table in the evenings after a long day of adventuring and touristing around. There is plenty of space for cooking and lots of pots and pans. Plus a mini fridge for cold drinks of food items. The shower is outside against the hillside, and the toilet is compostable (don’t worry instructions are posted inside). Inside, the cabin has a full size bed which slept my husband and I comfortably. A space heater in case it’s cold, and extra blankets. The cabin is located on-site where the owners live, just a ways from their house, and near another neighbor that shares the driveway. WiFi is available if needed. My advice for showering is 1.) shower in the evening/ at night since it’s sort of open space and during the day some children were outside playing and 2.) undress inside of the shower space before turning the water on for maximum privacy. But it is a nice hot shower! We had a great stay, had everything we needed, and felt right at home.

Anne

September 2025

Tent

4 nights at Ohana Farms

The entire experience was exactly what I needed. Peaceful, beautiful, intriguing, creative, friendly host, a loo, potable water, close to "town" and also central for all my exploring by bike/foot on this incredible island. I will definitely be back.

Brittany

September 2025

2 nights at Raylia Cottage Farm Stay

We had a lovely time at the sleep cabin. We definitely recommend bringing your own foldable cooking table if you plan on cooking your own meals outside as there isn’t much flat ground around the cabin to cook on. Peaceful, quiet, and tucked deep in the woods. Would definitely recommend and would love to visit again! Thank you for sharing your beautiful piece of land with us!

Jim

September 2025

22 ft campervan

With pets

2 nights at Surrounded by Nature!

Jody's place was exactly as advertised. Close to Victoria with a feel of remoteness.

Mariève

September 2025

20 ft Class B

1 night at Forest Hideaway

This was by far the BEST camping site ever! Everything was spotless and very easy to find. The facilities were super clean, especially the toilet, which was incredibly well maintained. The water jugs were very practical, and the site itself was quiet, private, and easy to access. The host was extremely kind and respectful, and he gave us great recommendations for places to visit that turned out to be amazing. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Highly recommend!

Apoorva

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Camas Creek Retreat

Had the best time at camas creek cabin. Heloise and her family are wonderful and got us fresh produce of fruits from their garden to welcome us and also when we were leaving. The property is so peaceful and exactly what we wanted - away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The open kitchen and shower were super nice and we had a great time there . Ruth was incredibly sweet and helped us understand the life there. Their pup jeena is the cutest

Goldbard

September 2025

16 ft car

1 night at Red Bell Farm

What a beautiful, peaceful, magical place. Loved it and will be back again.

Top-rated campgrounds

Forest Hideaway

99%

(82)

7.1km from Cowichan River Provincial Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · Duncan, BC

Hi! We’re your hosts, Seth, Jodie, and Megan Williams. Recently we decided to share our property that we love and have enjoyed so much for two reasons: to give others the opportunity to enjoy it and to put money away for university. Our parents, Mark and Sarah, got behind the vision and are excited to be part of this project with us. We would describe our property as: home…and a really fun place to grow up! Our parents thought that wasn’t descriptive enough for Hipcamp so they’ve helped us describe it more. We live in a quiet neighbourhood in a forest that has been a source of peace, relaxation, and fun for us in our growing up years. We’ve noticed that people who visit here say they feel the same way. With plenty of space for kids to explore and adults to relax, our 3 acre forest is perfect for down time with a book in the hammock or a nature walk before dinner. Amenities and service: A single, tidy campsite with picnic table surrounded by mature and gently manicured forest, as well as a hammock, and a new construction outhouse. (Go dad!) We love hospitality, so though we won’t always be around when you’re here, if we are and you need something you can simply ask and we’ll do our best to provide what you need. To help you feel welcome we provide a fresh, cool jug of drinking water and large container of fresh potable water as well as access to an outside tap to fill water containers if needed (upon request) , power to charge devices (upon request), and a campfire ring with firewood (sorry about the frequent fire bans. Huge bummer. We will post current fire ban status while you’re here.) Surroundings and local attractions: Our property is situated in a low traffic rural residential area within ¬ 3 km to Sandy Pool Regional Park (5 min) A family favourite! ¬ 10 km to the Cowichan Valley Museum (Duncan Totem Tour) (13 min) ¬ 14 km to the Pacific Northwest Raptor Center (15 min) ¬ 19 km to the Hand of Man Museum (20 min) ¬ 20 km to Lake Cowichan (16 min) for swimming, boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, etc Note: Lake Cowichan is also home to ‘The Tube Shack’ where you can rent tubes to float down the Cowichan River and catch the Tube Shack Bus back to your car. We do it every summer! Fun fact! It’s a 10-minute bike ride from our house to the Cowichan Valley Bike Trail. *(All destinations calculated from our dining table by Google maps) There are multiple well known hikes within 20 minutes (we suggest googling Stoney Hill Trail, Mt Tzouhalem, and Mt. Prevost.)

Red Bell Farm

98%

(255)

11km from Cowichan River Provincial Park · 9 sites · Tents, RVs · Duncan, BC

Access the Cowichan Valley Trail system right from our back yard! Easy access to either enjoy a leisurely walk, hike, bicycle, or horse ride along the trail to many destinations including Lake Cowichan, Shawinigan Lake, Duncan & more... or simply take in the beauty of the private pond area and picnic for the day with access to our Kitchenette with many extras! This is peaceful enjoyable tenting at its finest We have 4 pond tent sites, 1 RV site is situated away from the pond, and 1 camper-van site within a few steps to the pond for visiting your tenting friends; there is a shared outhouse, municipal water, fire-pit, and kitchenette a relaxing sitting area. Enjoy seeing what’s available at our small working hobby farm which includes eggs, chickens, and fresh berries, fruits, vegetables. 15min. to Lake Cowichan or travel 5min. to Duncan, Saturday is Farmers Market all year round and entertainment. Check out the "Duncan Showroom" or other venues for nightly live entertainment! Explore the many side streets for unique stores & food that is unique to Duncan. Did you know Duncan has 40 totem poles to find throughout the town? Visit local wineries, breweries, distilleries, Raptors bird Sanctuary, Hand of Man Museum, or many other sights! We’re also an easy drive away from Ladysmith, Cowichan Bay, Maple Bay (warmest ocean water on the island), or look for one of the largest Trestle bridges in North America... Just provide us with an idea of what you'd like to see and we can help with your adventure! Only 1hr from Victoria or Nanaimo.

Camping Historic Kinsol Trestle

99%

(62)

17km from Cowichan River Provincial Park · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Duncan, BC

Learn more about this land:Enjoy camping on our quiet and peaceful campsite located in Cowichan Valley BC on Vancouver Island! We welcome campers with tents or camper vans (maximum vehicle length= 25ft). Much of the property is treed with second-growth cedar, hemlock and some fir trees. Our property is designed for you to unwind and relax. We have an outhouse available for campers to use as well as a hand pump for water. Nature lovers will find plenty to explore; Kinsol Trestle is close to our property. Hikers will love the proximity to the Mount Tzouhalem Kaspa Trailhead, and mountain bikers will find this a great location for their sport. For those looking for a more relaxing vacation, unwind in the surrounding gardens and take in the beautiful views. We are 15 minutes to the closest town where you can stock up on all essentials! Great for families looking to get outside and enjoy nature at its finest. We look forward to hosting you!

Duck Creek Farm

96%

(25)

28km from Cowichan River Provincial Park · 3 sites · Tents, Lodging · Salt Spring Island, BC

Duck Creek Farm stands as a family-operated organic farm nestled on Salt Spring Island. Spanning over an acre, our grounds boast a thriving market garden comprising three greenhouses and a 65-ft hoop house, along with 75 fruit trees, a yoga platform, a refreshing swimming pond, and a charming vintage farmhouse. This idyllic retreat offers a serene oasis where nature flourishes. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in frequent sightings of eagles, owls, herons, otters, beavers, salmon, and more. The meandering Duck Creek traverses the property, creating a natural habitat for an array of creatures. Operating as a high-production garden, our dedicated staff is on-site Monday through Friday. Despite our productivity, we employ manual methods, ensuring a tranquil ambiance for our guests. In addition to our agricultural pursuits, Duck Creek Farm is an ideal venue for weddings and various events. For a comprehensive overview, please visit our website. Discover the perfect blend of nature, sustainability, and rustic charm at Duck Creek Farm! Parking for the tipi is 80 - 100' from the tipi. An outdoor sink is about 45' from the tipi, the outhouse is a 2-3 minute walk through the meadow.

Rejeanne's Forest on Salt Spring

98%

(114)

32km from Cowichan River Provincial Park · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · BC

Gorgeous forested 5 acre property at the top of Eagle Ridge with a rugged walking trail throughout our land. See ocean glimpses from our trail, walk to Long Harbour in 20 minutes, drive to Ganges in 4 minutes, or cycle to town in 10 minutes. Enjoy all Salt Spring has to offer, by car, by bike or by bus. Come stay with us!

Decourcy Meadows

99%

(78)

35km from Cowichan River Provincial Park · 1 site · RV · Ladysmith, BC

Decourcy Meadows is a peaceful forested site within a short walking distance to a safe local swimming beach. We are an RV-only campsite. The site is level and can accommodate vehicles up to 40ft in length. Electrical, sewage, and potable water hookups included. Amenities include a picnic table, wifi and a fire ring and some fire wood supplied at no cost. If there is a campfire ban in effect we will provide a propane campfire. The property is about half natural forest and so it's not unusual to see local critters, large and small peeking out! There are several hiking trails in the area and local parks as well. There are 3 artisans on Decourcy Drive. The world-famous Crow and Gate pub is 4 km from here and the historic Wheat Sheaf Hotel (Pub) is about 5 km. Local restaurants and Cafes, Groceries, Pharmacy are 5 km. We are a quiet country getaway located 25 minutes from Nanaimo Departure Bay Ferry Terminal. Duke Point Terminal is about 20 minutes. Picturesque town of Ladysmith is about 25 minutes south and the very Unique town of Chemainus is 35 minutes and very worth seeing.

West Coast Retreat at Anneth Farm

97%

(30)

36km from Cowichan River Provincial Park · 9 sites · Tents · North Saanich, BC

Welcome to our secluded little farm paradise. We are located on the west side of the W̱SÁNEĆ Peninsula on the main drive, West Saanich Road. Close to the beaches Coles Bay and Patricia Bay and a 12-minute drive to Sidney and the village of Brentwood Bay. We have 3 accommodations offerings here on HipCamp: (1) Tent camping in the fenced forest meadow (2) Car camping at selected sites around the farm (3) The Barn Loft private guest suite {1. The Camping Meadow} The meadow is a 1/2 acre fully-fenced, flat forest dell. There is a water spigot and an electrical outlet. It can host up to 3 tents. It is tent camping only - no vehicles allowed in the meadow. West Saanich Road can be a bit loud at night in the summer. If you have sensitive hearing, we encourage earplugs and/or camping at the farthest west end of the meadow. {2. Car Camping} The Cedar Grove is a private camp site with room for a regular vehicle (not an RV) and a tent. It is our only spot where you may camp next to your vehicle. {3. The Barn Loft Guest Suite} The Barn Loft Guest Suite is a beautiful restored hay loft with a double bed, a pull-out sofa, a kitchenette, and a living room and dining area. It is equipped with a composting toilet. Those staying at the Loft can also use the shared farm washroom. {Shared Washroom} The washroom is the shared washroom inside the farmhouse on the ground/basement floor, with a flush toilet and luxury shower. It is a short walk from the camping meadow, inside the heritage farmhouse. Please note that while inside the farmhouse basement, only the washroom is available for public use. Entering other areas of the basement is prohibited, as these are private living spaces. {Farm Fun} We have five horses, a tiny pony, chickens, a few goats and a flock of sheep. You are welcome to respectfully meet the animals with us - it is not permitted to meet the animals without a guide. DM us if you want to say hi to the animals and we will arrange a time. Please understand, there are safety protocols that need to be followed around horses. Eggs and lamb meat are also available for sale. DM us to order. Enjoy your stay on our beautiful west coast.

Shirewoods Farm

100%

(13)

36km from Cowichan River Provincial Park · 3 sites · Lodging · Nanaimo, BC

Welcome to Shirewoods Farm! Unwind from the hustle of city life with a refreshing escape to the countryside. Shirewoods Farm offers a peaceful retreat where you can reconnect with nature, breathe deeply, and experience the rhythms of farm life firsthand. Our unique glamping stays let you relax in comfort, surrounded by fields, forests, and friendly farm vibes. Shirewoods is a working farm with goats, sheep, horses, pigs, ducks and chickens. Join us for a guided Farm Tour for a chance to meet the animals, and learn about our sustainability practices—including feeding livestock with rescued produce and brewery grain. For outdoor adventures, explore the 11 km of scenic trails next door in Hemer Provincial Park, or venture out to one of the 70+ hiking spots in the Nanaimo area. You’re also just minutes from WildPlay Nanaimo (zip lines, axe throwing, ropes courses) and the refreshing Nanaimo River swimming hole. Only 11 minutes drive to the Duke Point Ferry terminal. Come experience the charm of the farm, naturally.

The Rad Shack

92%

(12)

41km from Cowichan River Provincial Park · 1 site · Lodging · Jordan River, BC

Aloha, Brah's, Wahine's and all those in betweeny's! The Rad Shack is a most excellent west coast cabana. Surrounded by incredible forests, spend your day surfing, exploring the Juan de Fuca trails, hiking along the local beaches or just chillin in The Rad Shack. We are within walking distance of Jordan River and China Beach. The immediate environment is a beautiful, lush, west coast forest with a creek, a froggy habited lagoon, and all kinds of birds, raccoons, salamanders, and bears, oh my!

Sea Change Farm and Nursery

97%

(90)

42km from Cowichan River Provincial Park · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Shirley, BC

💚💜Enjoy the simple wild private campsites with gravel pads, on the edge of a creek ravine with second growth forest, and the regeneration of the forest around you. A big beautiful pond hosts lots of wildlife and you will hear our ducks and chickens making their happy noises on the wind. And for your information—This year we have a quiet long term camper at the end of the road. There are large berms full of greenery between each site for privacy. Sheringham light house and Shirley Delicious Cafe are within walking or biking distance and The Stoked wood fire pizza is also just down the road beside French beach. No shortage of sights to take in here on the west Coast of Vancouver island. For more information look in our descriptions.♥️

Prospect Lake View

90%

(39)

44km from Cowichan River Provincial Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · Victoria, BC

The property is 1.5 acres in total set amidst rural surroundings. It is a very quiet and peaceful community set on the shores of the lake and surrounded by magnificent trees and greenery. There is limited bus service about a 20 minute walk away so a car is recommended. We are about a 25 minute drive away from Sidney, where most people will arrive by plane or ferry from the mainland, and also about 25 minutes away from downtown Victoria. The driveway from the street up to the front of our house is a paved sloped driveway and from there the access to the camping site is a sloped and curving dirt road. You don’t need a four-wheel-drive to get up it. We just want to be sure you are aware. The area itself is a level piece of ground to the side of our house. It is approximately 30 ' X 30 ', big enough for a small camper van and a tent. Please note it’s not a camping space like you would find in a provincial park. There’s no picnic bench or fire pit. In any case open flames are not allowed. Portable propane powered camping stoves are fine. We can supply a couple of plastic chairs and a small cocktail sized table. The facilities are comprised of a toilet in a small room in our basement and a utility sink just outside, accessed through the sunroom and down the back stairs. Pets are welcome, but must be on a leash or otherwise kept under control and not allowed to run loose. We have three cats ourselves, and they have access to the sunroom. We are just letting you know in case you are allergic. Also, we might occasionally sit in the sunroom ourselves and we don't mind you passing through on your way to and from the facilities, if you don't mind us being in there on occasion. There is no bath or shower available. You are advised to bring your own face and/or hand towels if needed. You also need to be prepared to take away your own recycling, garbage and organics.

Surrounded by Nature!

95%

(136)

44km from Cowichan River Provincial Park · 3 sites · RVs · Victoria, BC

**Important Note:** This site is **for fully self-contained RVs only**. We cannot accommodate tents, rooftop tents, campervans without onboard washrooms, or car camping. There are **no toilet facilities** available, and **outdoor/nature pees are not permitted**. Thanks for respecting this! --- Nestled on two private acres surrounded entirely by Elk Lake Regional Park, our peaceful RV site offers the perfect stopover between Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal and downtown Victoria—just 20 minutes from each. This is a multi-generational family property, also home to two friendly dogs, a one-eyed cat, and a lively bunch of chickens. You’ll be tucked away in a semi-private, flat gravel site bordered by fir trees, with easy access and plenty of turnaround space. Enjoy scenic walks right from your site—only 5 minutes to Elk Lake Beach for swimming, paddling, or casting a line, or head to Bear Hill Regional Park for a rewarding 20-minute hike through fir and arbutus forest with stunning views from the top. You’re also just 10 minutes from world-famous Butchart Gardens and the charming Butterfly Gardens along the way. Ideal for **1–2 night stays**, especially for couples or small groups (up to 4 people total) looking for a restful, nature-connected stop en route to Tofino or around the Island. You'll also find local farms, wineries, coffee shops, and restaurants nearby to round out your Vancouver Island adventure.

The best camping in Cowichan River Provincial Park, BC guide

Overview

About

Located on a linear 1,414-hectare park, Cowichan River Provincial Park is home to a portion of the Great Trail of Canada, which winds through the parkland, following the Cowichan River to Cowichan Lake. Families are drawn to the river’s warm waters, which are also popular among popular kayakers and tubers, and offer excellent fishing with abundant salmon, steelhead, and trout. Cowichan River Provincial Park lies within the territory of the Quw’utsun (Cowichan) people.

Notable campgrounds

Best for big groups: The Horseshoe Bend group site is known for its serene location and large picnic shelter with wood stoves and sinks.
Best for Great Trail of Canada hikers: The 43-site Stoltz Pool Campground has four walk-in campsites.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Reservations are recommended and available through BC Parks’ Discover Camping website for bookings between May 15 and September (and for groups from March to October).
If visiting weekends or holidays (Canada Day, BC Day, or Labour Day), secure a spot as far in advance of your trip as possible.
Your best chance at scoring one of the 18 first-come, first-served spots is by showing up right at 11am checkout.
If you can’t get a spot, try Gordon Bay Provincial Park on nearby Lake Cowichan.

When to go

Cowichan River Provincial Park is open for camping year-round, though some services are unavailable outside of the May to October season. For the warmest water, think about booking in July or August (though this will also be the busiest time in the park). The fall salmon run is easy to view at Marie Canyon.

Know before you go

The Trans-Canada Trail runs through the park over the nearby disused rail bed and takes hikers over the restored 66-Mile and Holt Creek railway trestles.
The nearby communities of Duncan and Lake Cowichan offer a variety of museums, shops, and restaurants.

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