Chemainus River Park is a BC Parks site on the Chemainus River, about three kilometres northwest of Duncan on southern Vancouver Island. BC Parks says it is cooperatively managed by the Cowichan Valley Regional District, so services and facilities may differ from other BC Parks.
The nearest communities are Duncan and Cowichan.
Chemainus River Park is a river corridor park for visitors interested in informal river routes, swimming holes, paddling, and fishing. BC Parks says there are no developed trails, but several routes follow the river and lead to calm swimming holes and deep pools.
The river is a popular destination for anglers. The Chemainus River supports spring and summer steelhead runs, coho salmon, and a variety of freshwater species. Canoeing and river kayaking are listed, but no facilities are provided.
Facilities may vary by management partner.
The park also has cultural, historic, and ecological layers. It lies within the traditional territories of the Nanaimo First Nation, Chemainus First Nation, Cowichan Indian Band, and Cowichan Tribes, with traditional uses including fishing, berry picking, and bark stripping. Remnants of an old railway grade are also historically important.
Plan around informal river walking routes, calm swimming holes, deep pools, canoeing, river kayaking, steelhead and freshwater fishing, road cycling, horseback riding, and riparian forest observation.
There is no designated swimming area and no paddling infrastructure. Check current freshwater and tidal fishing regulations, keep pets leashed, and treat the river's floodplain and riparian vegetation as sensitive habitat.
