Top Things to do in Cowichan Valley Regional District
Top Hotels in Cowichan Valley Regional District
- 1. Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn
- 2. Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay
- 3. Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Oyster Bay
- 4. Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn
- 5. Thunderbird Motor Inn
- 6. Kiwi Cove Lodge
- 7. Moon Water Lodge
- 8. Wessex Inn
- 9. Malahat Bungalows Motel
- 10. Eagle Rock Bed and Breakfast Chemainus
What to do and see in Cowichan Valley Regional District, Vancouver Island: The Best Nature & Parks
Discover the best top things to do in Cowichan Valley Regional District, British Columbia including Mount Prevost, Stoney Hill Regional Park, Maple Bay Marina, Osborne Bay Regional Park, The Raptors, Cowichan Valley trail, Roberts Memorial Provincial Park, Holland Creek Hiking Trails, Spectacle Lake Provincial Park, Bright Angel Park.
Restaurants in Cowichan Valley Regional District
1. Mount Prevost
2. Stoney Hill Regional Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By jarmwr40 - British Columbia, Canada
we've been meeting our son and his new puppy every other sat. and exploring the cowichan area. this was our fav walk so far, at genoa bay, near maple bay. he had walked this trail last week and liked it so much he took us here today. we walked the 3.2 km. loop trail and with stops for views it took us about an hour. a fairly easy walk, gradual rise. muddy trails with our recent wet weather. large moss covered rock slabs and arbutus trees make for a pleasant atmosphere. the views from the 5 lockouts are wonderful, looking down on the sansum narrows and across to saltspring island and south towards satellite channel. a number of boats enjoying the waters and possibly the herring run has started? 1 family walking behind us and 1 couple passed us, 10:00 seemed to be a good time as when we got back to the 25 vehicle parking area, it was filled, and people were parking on the side of the narrow road. outhouse at the trailhead appreciated. i couldn't find any info on how big the park is. all in good shape and obviously popular. i'd return in heartbeat.
3. Maple Bay Marina
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Full service marina with Restaurant, Pub, coffee shop, kayak rentals, float planes tours, marine fuel, chandlery, float home community, surrounded by a forest with public access hiking and biking trails.
Reviewed By Justhetw0fus - Arizona, United States
Very quaint scenic marina with some small shops and restaurants on the water. You can spend a few hours here just walking along the dock, have lunch, browse the shops and drink a beer outside on the patio. Don't forget to checkout the wide array of boats, some quite interesting.
4. Osborne Bay Regional Park
5. The Raptors
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 507 reviews
Birds of prey have always inspired awe. Sadly, they are threatened in many parts of the world. When you experience them up close, you learn that they are more than predators from the sky; they are essential to maintaining the delicate eco-balance of our planet. The Raptors offer compelling and interactive experiences with a variety of birds of prey species including eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. Get closer than you ever imagined to these majestic and intelligent creatures. Flying demonstrations, hands-on encounters and educational talks offered daily (March - October). The Raptors is located in the heart of the beautiful Cowichan Valley, just 60 minutes north of Downtown Victoria and 45 minutes south of Downtown Nanaimo by car.
Reviewed By PookyCake - Victoria, Canada
The Raptors centre had been on my “to do” list for a number of years. Having passed by this attraction countless times, it was bound to grab my curiosity. “What is it?” I thought. “What do they do there?” I knew you could have interactive bird experiences, but I didn’t know much else about it. That’s why, when I finally got the opportunity to visit, I was totally surprised and amazed by all that’s done here. The Raptors was set up to educate. Typically, whenever we think of “birds of prey,” most people tend to view them as mindless predators and/or a nuisance. Vultures, for example, have been – and are – targeted in some countries for extermination via poisoned animal carcasses. As a result, their numbers have depleted. This, we learn at the Raptors centre, has a notable impact on our already fragile ecosystem. Everything relies upon everything else. Thus, the purpose and mission of The Raptors is to inform us that birds of prey are essential to maintaining a proper ecological balance. When visiting The Raptors, you can expect to see a nice variety of these beautiful birds: Bald eagles, hawks, owls, falcons and vultures, to name just a few. While their enclosures aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing, we can live with the comfort of knowing that these birds – educational ambassadors – are well taken care of and are given ample opportunities to “stretch their wings,” unlike, say, a typical zoo. It’s nice to know the biologists and falconers view the birds more as colleagues than as wards. When M took me to visit The Raptors, we arrived just in time to watch and observe the Flying Demonstration. This, for me, was the perennial highlight. Watching these majestic (and some not so majestic) birds silently swoop down from the sky – with razor sharp precision – was a visual feast for the eyes. Indeed, getting up close to these birds while the knowledgeable and charismatic staff told the crowd about the vital role these birds play in our world was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you want to enhance your experience even further, The Raptors does offer a variety of unique hands-on experiences, including the “Hawk Walk” or raptor “Encounter.” I did not participate in any of these opportunities, but for those who want to learn more AND take that Instagram-worthy selfie, you can! At day’s end, if you’re visiting the Cowichan Valley area, I highly recommend a visit to The Raptors. It’s family friendly; it’s educational; and it’s pretty epic. What more could one want?
6. Cowichan Valley trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By MargC459
Just finished a 3 day/2 night tour of the CVT with amazing early October sunshine! We started the trail north of Ladysmith near the Haslam Suspension Bridge, but it was certainly a challenge initially finding it, with poor sign markings. Once on the trail and closer to Ladysmith, the signage improved and we experienced no further problems. The trail is mostly converted rail trail, however some sections early on are on side roads - all sections are truly beautiful and well worth the visit. Our first night was spent in Lake Cowichan and second night in Shawnigan Lake. Highlights definitely included all the trestle bridges, with Kinsol being the most spectacular; the gorgeous sections of the Cowichan River; and the backcountry forests and farm land views of the valley. Trail conditions were very good however the trail is still closed between 66M trestle and Holt Creek trestle due to an earlier washout. Good to see that the Parks guys are working hard to restore it though - hopefully will be completed soon. Great stops for eats just off trail include the Glenora General Store and Unsworth Winery (this one a little further afield, but well worth the visit!).
7. Roberts Memorial Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By allancR7722MO
Nice small park with sculptured sandstone features ... the trail is easily managed by seniors, although can be a bit muddy in spots in the spring. The view is great ... peaceful and serene.
8. Holland Creek Hiking Trails
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By TerraformTheWorld - Parksville, Canada
I recommend starting at the Dogwood Rd access point and traveling up the western side trail first so you have an easier return trip on the eastern side. Western side is pure hiking trail with birds, trees, slugs, and some very good view points for rapids and falls. The eastern side after the northern bridge turn around point is a wide gravel path for most of the section then drops back into bush trail (well looked after) near Dogwood Rd. The best view of Crystal falls would require leaving the established trail on the western side (did not do this) since the eastern trail view is blocked by may trees. The two dams can be seen easily from both trails.
9. Spectacle Lake Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By lauradenem
This is a beautiful lake to hike ..Easy to navigate on trail..Plenty of places to stop to enjoy the great view..You can swim in this lake ..
10. Bright Angel Park
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