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Gordon
Bay Provincial Park
Gordon Bay Provincial Park is located 15 km (9 miles) west of the
small community of Lake
Cowichan on southern Vancouver Island.
Travelling
Here
To get here you have to travel on Hwy 18 from Duncan
to the small community of Lake Cowichan. From here you go on South
Shore Road through the logging and retirement communities of Mesachie
Lake and Honeymoon Bay. Once past Honeymoon Bay, turn onto Walton
Road and travel to the day-use parking lot and picnic area adjacent
to the beach along Cowichan Lake.
Park
Highlights
The park highlights of Gordon Bay include the outdoor recreation
found on the shores of Cowichan Lake. The day-use area has a pebble
beach offering a swimming area surrounded by a log boom, a kids'
play area, water-skiing, and a small trail to a point overlooking
Cowichan Lake. The lake has fresh-water fishing available for anglers
including cutthroat, Dolly Varden and Rainbow trout.
Campground
The campground at Gordon Bay Provincial Park contains 126 vehicle-accessible
campsites, some of which are set in very tall second-growth Douglas
fir trees a few of which are quite large and private. Of these 126
sites, 95 of them are reservable with the rest being available on
a first-come, first-served basis.
Facilities
The facilities found at the Gordon Bay campground include well-spaced-out
sites, good drinking water from taps found throughout (boiling is
advised), a combination of pit and flush toilets offering two separate
hot shower facilities, interpretation programs on wildlife and all
the campsites feature campfire rings with firewood available at
the gatehouse. For pleasure craft operators, there is a boat launch
available situated in the day-use parking lot.
Point
Trail
Another nice thing about the beach at Gordon Bay is the short trail
that leads to a rocky point across from some small islands. The
rock shelves have various private swimming areas plus offer beautiful
views across Cowichan Lake. Once at the point, try floating out
to the islands and go snorkelling along the eroded sandstone at
water's edge.
Nearest
Services at Lake Cowichan
For supplies or services plus a break from the campstove, you can
travel into the community of Lake Cowichan only about 15 minutes
away. Once in Lake Cowichan, there is everything ranging from a
large grocery store, liquor outlet, pubs, cafés, restaurants,
a gas station plus marine supplies and services. Lake Cowichan also
has a very good museum located at Saywell Park open to the public
displaying the heritage and history of the area.
Honeymoon
Bay
For small items found at a local store, try walking or cycling on
Walton Road into the small retirement community of Honeymoon Bay
where you can find the Kabin General Store. Honeymoon Bay also has
a small regional park along the water's edge plus a small neighbourhood
coffee shop called the Coffee Mill. You can find a number of bed
and breakfast facilities as well as private RV Resorts in Honeymoon
Bay.
March
Meadows Golf Course
There is a privately owned 9-hole golf course in Honeymoon Bay called
March Meadows. Voted 'Vancouver Island's Best 9-Hole Golf Course,'
March Meadows is located towards the logging village of Caycuse
on South Shore Road near the entrance to the park.
Adventure
Trip
If you happen to like exploring or adventure, try taking a loop
trip from Gordon Bay Provincial Park along forestry roads around
Cowichan Lake through the small community of Youbou located on the
north side with access points to Nitinat and Carmanah Walbran Provincial
Park. Just remember the road turns to gravel going west from Honeymoon
Bay and contains the odd pothole and caution has to be maintained
for logging trucks or heavy equipment traffic.
Campground
Reservations
If you are planning to use a campground at Gordon Bay Provincial
Park, reservations can be made through Discover Camping with the
park managed and serviced by RLC Enterprize Ltd.
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