This park is currently closed due to fire hazard.
Please Note: During a campfire ban, smoking is restricted in all public areas of a park or protected area. Please read this Information Bulletin [PDF].
In This Park
Park Contact
This park proudly operated by:K2 Cowichan Park Services Ltd.
Email: k2cowichan@shaw.ca
Phone: 1 877 559-2115
Website: k2parks.ca
Gordon Bay Provincial Park
Attention Visitors – Important Notice!
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December 11, 2017: Campground closed Dec. 12–15
The campground will be temporarily closed for the week of December 12-15, 2017 due to construction. Please monitor this page for updates.
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October 16, 2017: Gordon Bay Construction
BC Parks is currently undergoing construction on campsites throughout the park. The park and campground will remain open for winter season camping, but there may be site closures, campground roads closed, construction vehicles, and noise in the vicinity of these campsites while construction is occurring. Please obey closure signs – they are in place for your safety. BC Parks apologizes for any inconvenience and looks forward to providing enhanced facilities in the park for future camping seasons.
About This Park
For a great family camping vacation, head to Gordon Bay Provincial Park, located on the shores of Lake Cowichan, north of Duncan on Vancouver Island. In the summer the lake is warm and the sandy beach makes for great family swimming. History buffs find plenty to interest them in the park and the surrounding area, which is home to a second-growth Douglas-fir forest. Set in one of Vancouver Island’s sunniest valleys, this area boasts the highest average annual temperature in Canada.
The lake is known for its spectacular freshwater fishing in the spring, fall and winter, when anglers can be challenged by rainbow, cutthroat and Dolly Varden trout. Waterskiing and windsurfing are also popular activities on the lake.
This small wilderness area features a number of walking and hiking trails with unparalleled views. Keen-eyed hikers can spot a variety of wildlife and birds, including juncos, Stellar’s jays, chestnut-backed chickadees, mergansers and golden eye ducks. Visit in April when the wildflowers are at their peak.
Established Date: September 18, 1969
Park Size: 104 hectares
Special Notes:
- A fascinating little museum with history about the area is located at Saywell Park. Teleglobe Canada presents guided tours of the Lake Cowichan Earth Satellite station. The forest industry has a number of displays and demonstration forests throughout the area.
| Campground Dates of Operation
All dates are subject to change without notice |
|
|---|---|
| Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.) |
Year round |
| Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: Winter Season: |
May 1 – September 30 A portion of the campground is open from October 1 – April 30, during which time a winter fee is in effect (no water or firewood) |
| Campground Reservable Dates: | May 12 – September 9 |
| Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: | 122 |
| Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
100% Reservable |
| Note: The above information is for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor Notice" above for park alerts. | |
Reservations
All campsite and group site reservations must be made through Discover Camping. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first-come, first-served.
Campsite Reservations:
Campsite reservations are accepted.
Group Campsite Reservations:
Group campsite reservations are accepted at this park for dates starting May 1 to September 29.
Location and Maps
Please note: Any maps listed are for information only – they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation. Gordon Bay Provincial Park is located 35 km northwest of Duncan on southern Vancouver Island. The park, situated on the shores of Cowichan Lake, is accessed via Hwy #18 off Hwy #1. Travel 26 km west on Hwy #18 to Lake Cowichan, then 14 km on South Shore Road. Nearby communities include: Honeymoon Bay, Cowichan Lake, Youbou, Duncan, Victoria.Maps and Brochures
Any maps listed are for information only – they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.- Park Map [PDF 322KB]
- Park Brochure [PDF 561KB]
Nature and Culture
- History: The area is rich in the logging history of the Cowichan Valley, and a number of displays and demonstration forests are located near the park. The forest was one of the first on the island to be logged, probably because of the relative ease with which the felled trees could be skidded to the lake and floated to the mills. The notched stumps supported springboards that allowed old-time loggers to stand above the dense shrubbery so they could cut down the massive trees that dominated the area.
- Conservation: The forest floor is covered with the same kind of shrubs that made such hard work for the fallers: thimbleberry, salal and salmonberry. You can also see vanilla leaf, foamflower and bunchberry which grow closer to the ground. Dolly Varden, Rainbow and Cutthroat trout live in the lake and chum, coho and Chinook salmon spawn in the lake and its tributaries. Steelhead spawn in the Cowichan River. Rare rocky mountain juniper adds to the uniqueness of the area. Adjacent to Gordon Bay Provincial Park is Honeymoon Bay Ecological Reserve, which protects a variety of rare and endangered plant species.
- Wildlife: As you walk through the forest, look for deer, raccoons and red squirrels. Birdwatchers often see juncos, Stellar’s jays and chestnut-backed chickadees, as well as mergansers and golden eye ducks. Black bears, Roosevelt elk, black-tail deer, beaver, raccoons and cougars can all be spotted in the park.
Management Planning
- Management Planning Information
- Approved Management Plan [PDF 1.2MB] is available in pdf format.
DISCLAIMER:
This is NOT the original management planning product. This document has been scanned from the original format of the plan. It may contain some formatting changes, however the content is consistent with the original.
Activities Available at this Park
Canoeing
Canoeing and kayaking can be enjoyed on Cowichan Lake. A boat launch is located northeast of the day-use parking lot.
Cycling
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Fishing
Cowichan Lake is known for its spectacular fresh-water fishing in the spring, fall and winter, when anglers can be challenged by rainbow, cutthroat and Dolly Varden trout.
Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hiking
Gordon Bay has a number of short, in-park trails that lead to the lake. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
Interpretive Programs
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has a fun, hands on, Learn to Fish Program that teaches basic angling skills to youth under 16 years old. Check back to this page or ask the Park Operator for information.
Pets on Leash
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash and under control at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Scuba Diving
Opportunities for fresh water diving exist in the lake.
Swimming
Cowichan Lake provides excellent swimming and water-oriented activities. The water is warm in the summer and the sandy beach has a designated swimming area, identified by a log boom. Access to the swimming beach is via the day-use area.
There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Waterskiing
Waterskiing is a popular activity on Cowichan Lake. A boat launch is located near the parking lot. Waterskiers must remain outside of the log boom.
Windsurfing
Windsurfing is a popular activity on Cowichan Lake. A boat launch is located near the parking lot. Windsurfers must remain outside of the log boom.
Facilities Available at this Park
Boat Launch
A boat launch is located northeast of the day-use parking lot.
Campfires
Campfire rings are provided at each campsite. Fire bans may be implemented during extremely hot weather conditions. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.
Firewood can be purchased from the Park Operator. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
Drinking Water
Cold water taps are located throughout the park. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
View the Annual Drinking Water System Reports [pdf]: Gordon Bay campground, groupsite and day-use.
View the Annual Drinking Water System Reports [pdf]: Gordon Bay campground, groupsite and day-use.
Group Camping
There is one group campsite at this park that is open from May 1 to September 30. Click here for reservation information.
Youth group camping charges per night are $1/person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum.
Read the Youth Group policy about Criteria for Youth Groups.
Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, which is $120.00/group site/night, plus $5/adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (6-15). Children under 6 are free!
Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, which is $120.00/group site/night, plus $5/adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (6-15). Children under 6 are free!
Picnic Areas
This park has a large day-use/picnic area with picnic tables, parking lot, adventure playground, amphitheatre and flush toilets. The day-use area is a popular spot for local residents, who come to the park to swim and picnic.
Group Picnicking Fee: $50.00 per group
Pit or Flush Toilets
Pit toilets are located throughout the park. Flush toilets are located in the campground and day-use area May 1 to September 30.
Playground
There is an adventure playground available at the day-use area of this park.
Showers
There are two separate hot shower facilities in this park, located within the campground.
Vehicle Accessible Camping
This park offers vehicle accessible, semi private campsites, set in a
second-growth Douglas fir stand. Campsite reservations are accepted and
first-come, first-served sites may also be available.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $35.00 per party / night
BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $17.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.
Wheelchair Access
A number of facilities at this park are wheelchair accessible, including picnic tables, the main campsites and group campsite, and the shower and flush toilet buildings.
Winter Camping
The park is open year round with limited services in the off-season.
Winter Camping Fee: $13.00 per party / night
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