Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park

Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, established in 1940 to protect a magnificent Douglas-fir forest, is a family-favourite waterfall park where the Little Qualicum River tumbles through a rugged rocky gorge in a series of impressive upper and lower falls. A short, easy loop trail (about 2 km, roughly one hour) connects viewpoints of both falls, and the park offers around 6 km of walking trails in total that meander through old-growth and second-growth forest along the river.

The park is popular for swimming, with river pools and — a short drive away within the same park — Cameron Lake, which is the recommended and safest place to swim. Cameron Lake also draws anglers (it is known for brown trout), as well as canoeing, kayaking, waterskiing, and windsurfing, and has its own day-use areas. The main falls area has picnic facilities and shaded riverside trails.

A 96-site three-season campground makes this a comfortable overnight base for exploring central Vancouver Island. Practical tips: swimming can be restricted in certain river areas during high-water periods, so heed posted warnings and use Cameron Lake when in doubt; keep to marked trails and railings near the canyon, where wet rock is slippery; and the park sits conveniently on the route to Cathedral Grove (MacMillan Provincial Park) and Port Alberni.