Lake Cowichan, BC

Know the town

About Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan is the small town at the eastern end of Cowichan Lake, where the lake drains into the Cowichan River. About half an hour west of Duncan, it is the gateway to the lake country of the Cowichan Valley — a long, forest-ringed lake with beaches, campgrounds and a summer population that swells with cabin owners and visitors.

Tubing the river

The town’s signature summer pastime is floating down the Cowichan River on an inner tube. On warm days the river right in town fills with tubers drifting gently downstream for a few lazy hours, and local outfitters rent tubes and run shuttles back. The Cowichan is a designated BC Heritage River, and the trail through Cowichan River Provincial Park, downstream, is excellent for hiking and fishing.

Around the lake

Cowichan Lake is more than thirty kilometres long, and a road loops much of its shoreline through the small communities of Youbou, Honeymoon Bay and Mesachie Lake. Gordon Bay Provincial Park, near Honeymoon Bay, has one of the region’s most popular lakeside campgrounds and a sandy swimming beach. Boating, paddling, fishing and swimming fill the summer months, while the quieter seasons bring misty mornings on the water.

Logging heritage

The town grew up around the forest industry, and that history is never far away. The Kaatza Station Museum, set in the old railway station, tells the story of the logging camps, railways and early settlers of the lake. The local economy still includes forestry alongside tourism and services for the surrounding area.

Getting here

Highway 18 runs from the Trans-Canada just north of Duncan to Lake Cowichan in about twenty-five minutes. From the lake, gravel logging roads lead west toward the outer coast and Port Renfrew, but check conditions before heading out.

Lake Cowichan’s shops, outfitters, trades and services are below, together with what’s on in the valley.

For council, permits, garbage and recycling, parks bookings and other local services, visit Town of Lake Cowichan.