In Youbou, you can include lakeside parks, forested trails and historical sites in your travel plans. Mile 77 Park is a 2.05-hectare lakeside park on Cowichan Lake in the community of Youbou. There is also a historical plaque in the park. If you’d like to combine time by the lake with time outdoors, Youbou offers a variety of parks with different features, rather than just one type of outing.
Lakeside Parks and Forest Trails
Arbutus Park provides access to a beach and the lake. Access rules may change seasonally, so check the latest information before your visit. At Price Park, a nature park in Youbou, a network of forested trails runs from Youbou Road to Cowichan Lake. This gives you a choice between a lakeside park, a park with beach and lake access, and a nature park with forest trails, depending on the setting you’re looking for.
The Youbou Mill is also part of the area’s history: it holds historical, cultural, social and economic significance in the history of South Asian Canadians in British Columbia. Together with the plaque in Mile 77 Park, it offers a historical point of reference alongside the natural attractions. The two sites represent different aspects: the plaque is in a lakeside park, while the Youbou Mill’s significance relates to the history of South Asian Canadians in the province.
Activities and Local Planning
Youbou Community Bowling Alley offers Rock ’n’ Glow bowling. This can be a different kind of outing from spending time by the lake or on the forest trails. As availability may depend on the schedule, it’s a good idea to check current dates in advance.
Swimming lessons are offered at Arbutus Park through Cowichan Lake Recreation. Lessons may be seasonal or subject to schedule changes, so check the current dates before your trip.
More Nature and Cultural Experiences in Cowichan Valley
In the wider Cowichan Valley destination, the Cowichan Valley Trail offers a separate option for hiking and easy cycling. It’s a key part of the Trans Canada Trail route on southern Vancouver Island. Most of the trail is wide, flat and surfaced with gravel; some sections run alongside roads. Kinsol Trestle is one of eight trestles along this route and is among the tallest free-standing wooden railway trestles in the world.
Another hiking option in Cowichan Valley is the approximately 3.2-kilometre loop trail in Stoney Hill Regional Park, which offers views of Salt Spring Island and Sansum Narrows. Mill Bay Nature Park has walking trails and a viewing platform. If you’re interested in a range of activities, Cobble Hill Mountain Regional Recreation Area offers hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking; the main access route goes through Quarry Nature Park.
Cowichan River Park is home to the historic, 20-kilometre Cowichan River Footpath. The restored 66 Mile Trestle and Holt Creek Trestle on the Trans Canada Trail also offer views of the river. For other interests, Sandy Pool Regional Park has a sandy beach and opportunities to swim in the Cowichan River. Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre in Hecate Park offers programs and activities for visitors of all ages to learn about the nearby estuary and the wildlife that lives there, including herons.
Discover more destinations: Cowichan Bay, Cobble Hill, Crofton, Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay, Malahat, Honeymoon Bay, Ladysmith.
For the main travel guide: Cowichan Valley.
