The Town of Lake Cowichan is located at the eastern edge of Cowichan Lake beside the Cowichan River. There are 2,856 people (1996 Census) living in Lake Cowichan. To reach Lake Cowichan from Highway 1 (Trans-Canada), drive to just north of Duncan and turn onto Highway 18.
From there its only a 20 minute drive (28 kilometers) to the Town of Lake Cowichan.
Past Cowichan Lake’s eastern shoreline is some of the most spectacular outdoor adventures available on Vancouver Island. From the town, the forests of the Carmanah-Walbarn are only 2 1/2 hours away. Gordon Bay Provincial Park is less than a half-hour away and makes a great place to go camping. The area’s temperate climate makes the Cowichan Lake region ideal for outdoor activities all year round.
Lake Cowichan is the sister city of Ohtaki, Hokkaido in Japan. Their website is in japanese, but, they have a nice photo gallery of the area and local events. Information about other Canadian cities with sister cities in Japan can be found on the Consulate General of Japan in Toronto’s website.
Lake Cowichan has all of the amenities that a small town could possibly provide. There are gas stations, grocery stores, a marina and more. Internet access for tourists is provided by CLIAS (Cowichan Lake Information Access Society) in the Bell Tower School located in Saywell Park. For history buffs, the Kaatza Station Museum in Saywell Park offers a look back into the history of the region. For more information about area services browse our business directory.
The town’s parks offer plenty of opportunities for picnicking, walking and swimming. Central Park and Saywell Park both offer picnic facilities and are located on the Cowichan River. To take a dip in the Cowichan River, head over to Kinsmen Park (Duck Pond). Other activities awaiting you are tubing, kayaking, horseback riding, houseboat rentals and fishing. Additional information about park locations and facilities is available on our Lake Cowichan parks page.
Murals painted by local artist Michaela Davidson now decorate the buildings of Lake Cowichan.
To the west along South Shore Road are the villages of Mesachie Lake, Honeymoon Bay and Caycuse.
Gordon Bay Provincial Park, the most popular park on Lake Cowichan, is just beyond Honeymoon Bay. Around Cowichan Lake in the opposite direction is the Town of Youbou.
From Accommodations to Restaurants, find out what to do while visiting Cowichan Lake
Cowichan Lake District Chamber of Commerce
