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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
As of May 2, 2008:
- The Capital Regional District water supply pipeline project work may result in periodic disruptions to traffic flow & parking along Sooke River Road, including the area around Sooke Potholes Provincial Park. Work is currently scheduled to finish in early October, 2008.
Park
Info:
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park provides access to the series of deep, polished
rock pools and potholes carved naturally into the bedrock of the
Sooke River. This area is a favourite day-use destination for many local and
regional residents.
Glacial action during the last ice age 15,000 years ago
is responsible for the formations, as the moving, melting ice packs
stripped the surface
area and carved a path deep into the natural bedrock. Huge boulders carried
along by the rushing river became lodged, were swirled against the canyon
walls and consequently carved out the potholes that can be seen today.
The water
in this very popular park is beautifully clean and clear, providing a wonderful
swimming and picnicking destination in the summer. The Sooke
River is also an important coho and Chinook salmon spawning river, and
opportunities exist for catch and release fishing. Sooke Potholes Provincial
Park provides
an ideal location to view the annual salmon spawning run.
Park
Size: 7.28
Hectares.
Management
Planning:
Management
Planning Information
Location:
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park is located near Sooke on southern Vancouver
Island. The park is accessed via Sooke River Road, 5 km north of West Coast
Highway 14.
Map/Brochure:
Any maps listed are for
information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be
used for navigation.
Nature & Culture:
- Conservation -
This park provides wildlife viewing opportunities
along an important coho and Chinook salmon spawning river. Located within
the Leeward Island Mountains Ecosection, the park protects remnant
old-growth Douglas fir and associated sensitive plant communities that
line Sooke River. The Sierra wood fern, a red-listed plant, is found in
the park. The river itself is an important wildlife corridor for
all species, including black bear and Roosevelt elk, as it connects
the Sooke Hills and Capital Region greenbelt.
- General
Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
Visitor
Safety:
- Visitors to Sooke
Potholes Provincial Park should watch for rising and falling water after
periods of heavy rainfall, especially from September
through July.
- There are steep
cliffs in some areas of this park; visitors should use caution in these
areas
General
Visitor Safety Information (park
safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)
Reservations:For
parks that accept reservations,
all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover
Camping.
No
camping at this park. For
parks that accept reservations or information on the reservation service, click
here.
Explore
Parks: Fees, park listings, what
you should know before you go and other useful links.
Contact
Information:
R.L.C. Enterprize Ltd.
E-mail address: office@rlcenterprize.com
Phone: (250) 474-1336
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No
vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
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No
wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping.
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No
group campsites.
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This day-use only park
has no picnic tables. The only facilities are pit toilets, located at the
parking lot.
Day-use
Area Vehicle Parking Fee:
$1.00 per vehicle / hour to a maximum of $3.00 per vehicle per/day. For information about yearly parking passes, or further information
about parking fees, click
here.
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Some facilities in the park
are wheelchair accessible.
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Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
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This
park has 2 pit toilets, located at the parking lot.
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No
showers.
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No sani-station/dump facilities. The nearest facilities in a provincial park
are located at French Beach Park or Goldstream
Park. |
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Campfires
are not permitted.
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There are no electrical hook-ups in this park. |
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There
are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.
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There
are no developed trails at this park.
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This park does not have
a playground.
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There is no designated swimming area at this park, however swimming in the
naturally-formed pools is a very popular summertime activity. Most of the popular
swimming areas are located outside of the park boundary. There are no lifeguards
on duty at provincial parks. |
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There are limited opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this
park. |
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This park does
not have a boat launch.
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Opportunities for catch-and-release
fishing exist in this park; restrictions apply. 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.
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Bicycles must keep to roadways.
Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
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Horseback riding is
permitted only on the roadway.
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Pets/domestic
animals must be on a leash 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.
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No
wildlife viewing opportunities.
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No
winter recreation opportunities. |
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No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
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No
windsurfing opportunities. |
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No
waterskiing opportunities. |
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This
park is closed to hunting. |
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No
climbing or rock climbing opportunities. |
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No
spelunking or caving opportunities. |
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No
cabins, yurts or lodges for public use. |
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