Scenic Views · British Columbia
A small waterfall in Stocking Creek Park, Saltair, between Ladysmith and Chemainus on Vancouver Island, reached by an easy forest trail. Pretty in spring, but often low in summer and poorly signed.
Stocking Creek Park is a community park in Saltair with rainforest trails along the creek and a small waterfall viewed from decking and stairs. Visitors describe it as a quiet, well-kept walk, with birds and other wildlife along the way.
The main trail is about 2.4 km and takes around 30 minutes to the falls, with one bigger hill, and there's an easier and a harder route to choose from. The park has parking off Chemainus Road and an outhouse at the top of the trail. The Cowichan Valley Trail also runs through, so cyclists and dog walkers share the paths.
It's a good family walk or a stop on a Cowichan Valley Trail ride. Go in spring: one reviewer who first found the falls a trickle came back at the end of March and was pleasantly surprised.
Signage is the recurring gripe. Several visitors struggled to find the turn from the road and which path to take after the bridge, and a sign saying there's no waterfall access confused people standing right above the falls; the falls are at the bottom of the steps. Locals ask that you stay on the decking and trails to protect the habitat. Parking is limited, and one visitor met off-leash dogs and fast bikes.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 247 Google reviews. Conditions and rules change — check current park, access and fishing regulations before you go.
