Youbou: Parks, Trails and Culture

If you’re looking for a hotel in Youbou, local parks and cultural attractions can help put your destination choice into perspective. On Cowichan Lake, a waterfront park and beach and lake access are complemented by forested trails, a historic memorial site and a recreational activity. This can help you decide whether you’d like to focus your trip on time by the water, trails through forested terrain or local culture.

Parks and trails in Youbou

Mile 77 Park is a 2.05-hectare waterfront park on Cowichan Lake in the community of Youbou. A historic commemorative plaque is located in the park.

Arbutus Park offers access to a beach and the lake. Swimming lessons are offered there through Cowichan Lake Recreation. Schedules may be seasonal or subject to change, so check the lesson schedule before visiting.

Price Park is a nature park in Youbou with a network of forested trails stretching from Youbou Road to Cowichan Lake. The parks offer distinct features to choose from: Mile 77 is a waterfront park, Arbutus offers beach and lake access as well as swimming lessons, and Price Park has a network of forested trails.

Culture and recreation

Youbou Mill holds historic, cultural, social and economic significance in the history of South Asian Canadians in British Columbia. It adds a distinct historical and cultural dimension to the area’s nature and parks.

For a recreational activity, Youbou Community Bowling Alley offers Rock ’n’ Glow bowling. The offering may depend on the date or change, so check the schedule in advance.

Cowichan Valley: more regional highlights

In the wider Cowichan Valley destination, the Cowichan Valley Trail is a key part of the Trans Canada Trail route on southern Vancouver Island. Most of the trail is a wide, flat gravel path; some sections run along roads. The route is suitable for easy cycling and hiking.

Kinsol Trestle is one of eight trestles along the Cowichan Valley Trail route and one of the world’s tallest free-standing wooden railway trestles. Stoney Hill Regional Park has an approximately 3.2 km loop trail and views of Salt Spring Island and Sansum Narrows.

Hecate Park is home to the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre. It offers programs and activities for visitors of all ages to learn about the nearby river estuary and its wildlife, including herons.

In the Cowichan Valley, Sandy Pool Regional Park offers a sandy beach and opportunities to swim in the Cowichan River. Mill Bay Nature Park has walking trails and a viewing platform. The historic Cowichan River Footpath in Cowichan River Park is 20 km long. This regional selection includes not only trail and loop route details but also a beach, river swimming, viewpoints and a historic footpath.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Cobble Hill, Shawnigan Lake, Chemainus, Crofton, Duncan, Ladysmith, Honeymoon Bay, Cowichan Bay

Go to the main travel overview: Cowichan Valley.