ABOUT COWICHAN RIVER PROVINCIAL PARK, STOLTZ POOL CAMPGROUND: Cowichan River Provincial Park is located off Riverbottom Road near Highway 18 between the cities of Duncan and Lake Cowichan. There are two campgrounds within the Park – Stoltz Pool Campground and Horseshoe Bend Group Campground. Day Use Areas can be found in several locations – 66 Mile Trestle, Marie Canyon, Skutz Falls, both campgrounds, and Sandy Pool Regional District Park. Horseshoe Bend is a large group campground situated apart from the Stoltz Pool Campground. There is a smaller group campground near the entrance to Stoltz Pool.
From the Park’s brochure: “Cowichan River Provincial Park provides a variety of recreational pursuits as well as protecting a significant stretch of the Cowichan River, renowned for its wild salmon and steelhead fishery. Designated as a Provincial Heritage River, it is also one of only three British Columbia rivers that have Canadian Heritage River status, and one of only two rivers in the province known to have brown trout. The Trans Canada Trail and the restored 66 Mile and Holt Creek trestles offer spectacular river views for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders.”
Swimming and tubing, in addition to fishing, are very popular within the Park. There are significant walking and hiking opportunities. Canoeing and kayaking is available; whitewater kayakers who are experienced may be interested in the area between Skutz Falls and Marie Canyon.
Stoltz Pool Campground offers pit toilets. There are no hook-ups and no dump station. Drinking water is available, along with a dump station, in Lake Cowichan by the Town Offices (Lake Cowichan is approximately 20 minutes west of the campground). There is a boat launch, but it was closed when we were there. The campground road, particularly from the entrance to the beginning of the campsites, is extremely rough with deep potholes. Probably the worst-maintained campground road we’ve ever seen. I imagine they will be working on it – one would hope. There are 43 drive-in campsites and 4 walk-in sites. Many of the campsites were too short or not level (for us). We had site #25 and it was the best campsite – a pull-through with plenty of room for the RV, Honda, and the screened tent. It was also by itself somewhat, offering privacy that many of the other sites did not have. Our favorite campsites in order of preference are: #25, #24, #7, #6, and if all those were taken (not in order of preference) #16, #18, #29, #33. The campground was conveniently located near several cities and not too far from the Mill Bay ferry to Brentwood (the Butterfly Museum and Butchart Gardens). Check-in time was 1 p.m. Check-out time was 11 a.m. Generator hours were 9 to 11 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. The cost was $158.90 (Canadian currency) for 7 nights. The campground is open all year.
Cowichan River Provincial Park, Stoltz Pool Campground: for more information www.bcparks.ca; phone 1-877-559-2115; e-mail k2cowichan@shaw.ca; reservations www.discovercamping.ca; reservations phone 1-800-689-9025.
- 2022 – 06/13-06/20