Vacation rentals in Lake Cowichan

Around an hour north of Victoria, Lake Cowichan is a small town sitting on the edge of Cowichan Lake. Not only does it promise beaches with warm, clear waters for swimmers and calm surfaces optimal for waterskiing and canoeing, the town is the gateway to the Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park — a spectacular forest sanctuary home to the world’s tallest spruce trees, some of whom reach as high as 95 metres. You’ll also find ancient, gnarled cedars that are well over 1,000 years old.

British Columbia’s mild climate has nurtured a robust food scene, and nearby farms, wineries, cideries, and distilleries produce world-class artisan foods and beverages for you to feast on while you’re there and stuff into your suitcase for gifts. The town is also home to a plethora of painters, potters, jewellers, and glass blowers whose works you can peruse in studios and galleries throughout the region.

Lake Cowichan benefits from a maritime Mediterranean climate, which provides the warmest year-round temperatures in Canada. In summer, you can expect warm sunny days to enjoy all the water activities, not to mention big music festivals: In July, British Columbia’s biggest bluegrass music festival takes centre stage in town, attracting top musicians from far and wide, then in August, the Sunfest Country Music Festival takes over town. You can expect a mix of pleasant days and rain in spring and fall, while winter will please those who love relaxing in a Lake Cowichan cabin in front of the fire. The lake has a unique microclimate, with warmer temperatures in winter than surrounding areas, but it’s still a good idea to come prepared with layers and waterproof, lined outerwear.

Tubing on the Lake

Tubing is a popular way to spend a summer's day in Lake Cowichan. You can rent a large inflated inner tube and gently float down the Cowichan River. A popular route is to start from the weir in Lake Cowichan and drift east to Little Beach, which takes around three hours. You can stop at beaches along the way, take a dip in the warm water, and look for eagles and kingfishers in the sky. Once you reach the end, shuttles will take you back to your starting point.

Mount Tzouhalem Viewpoint Trail

The enjoyable 90-minute trek up Mount Tzouhalem will lead you through dense northwestern forests up to a famous cross perched on the edge of the cliffs. From here, you’ll enjoy spectacular views over the waters of Cowichan Bay. You can also hike through the BC Parks Ecological Reserve, established in 1984 to protect the endangered Gary Oak. This is one of the only places in Canada where you can still see this tree species. If you’re visiting in spring, you’ll witness an array of beautiful wildflowers — a real treat.

The Cowichan Valley Trail

Spend the day walking or cycling along the Cowichan Valley Trail, part of the famous 122-kilometre Trans-Canada Trail. The Cowichan Valley section runs through Lake Cowichan and passes over six trestles, including the historic Kinsol Trestle — one of the world’s tallest free-standing timber rail trestles. It’s over 180 metres long and stands 40 metres above the Koksilah River. Pack a picnic to unwrap at the viewing platform.