Koksilah River Provincial Park

Koksilah River Provincial Park is a protected forest area covering about 230 hectares alongside the Koksilah River on southern Vancouver Island. The park features natural trails and several river viewpoints that showcase the water from different perspectives along the landscape.

The protected area was established in 1959 and continues to preserve the region's story. Burnt Bridge within the park stands as a remnant of earlier structures, with its predecessor destroyed in a forest fire in 1865.

The area holds deep meaning for Indigenous Peoples, who maintain their teachings and practices within this forest landscape. The river and its surroundings remain a place where traditional connections to the land are actively preserved.

The park is accessible via Shawnigan Lake Road, which branches from Trans-Canada Highway 1 near Mill Bay and connects to Renfrew Road. Trails throughout the grounds allow visitors to explore the forest and riverbanks at their own pace.

The river above Burnt Bridge offers a whitewater kayak run of about 6 kilometers, a rare opportunity on southern Vancouver Island. This paddling challenge attracts kayakers seeking the rush of rapids and rough water.

Location: Cowichan Valley Regional District

Inception: September 10, 1954

GPS coordinates: 48.65056,-123.72361

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:24