Cowichan River
BC Parks Full
Gordon Bay
BC Parks Vancouver Island · British Columbia
what to expect
For a great family camping vacation, head to Gordon Bay Provincial Park, located on the shores of Lake Cowichan, north of Duncan on Vancouver Island. In the summer the lake is warm and the sandy beach makes for great family swimming. History buffs find plenty to interest them in the park and the surrounding area, which is home to a second-growth Douglas-fir forest. Set in one of Vancouver Island's sunniest valleys, this area boasts the highest average annual temperature in Canada. The lake is known for its spectacular fresh-water fishing in the spring, fall and winter, when anglers can be challenged by rainbow, cutthroat and Dolly Varden trout. Waterskiing and windsurfing are also popular activities on the lake. This small wilderness area features a number of walking an…
the basics
WaterShowersFlush toiletsPet-friendlyAccessible
what to know
Updated each morning from provincial parks and Environment Canada.
No fire ban active
Last checked from the provincial fire-ban feed. Check at the gate before you light — conditions change.
Pet-friendly
Dogs are allowed on-leash. Pick up after them; some parks have leash-length rules at the trailheads.
what to bring
This list adapts to Gordon Bay.
common questions about Gordon Bay
- can dogs camp at Gordon Bay?
- Yes. Gordon Bay Provincial Park allows dogs on-leash according to operator policy. Confirm specific site-level restrictions with the operator at booking time.
- does Gordon Bay have electric hookups?
- No. Gordon Bay Provincial Park does not list electric hookups in its amenity profile. Plan for off-grid use.
- how far is Gordon Bay from Vancouver?
- Gordon Bay Provincial Park is 93 km from Vancouver. Use Google Maps for current drive times — they account for terrain, traffic, ferries, and closures we can't.
- do you need reservations at Gordon Bay?
- Yes. Gordon Bay Provincial Park is operated by BC Parks and uses an online reservation system. Book direct via the operator link on this page.
nearby places
Within ~100 km of Gordon Bay.
want to camp at Gordon Bay?
Cancellation alerts are coming. We’ll email when sites open up at this park.
One email. Unsubscribe anytime. We don’t share addresses. — [email protected]
Give back to this place
volunteer at BC Parks
Provincial parks rely on volunteer stewards for trail maintenance, beach clean-ups, and shoulder-season hosting. Most parks run programs through their park association.
See how to help →