Discover North Cowichan
7 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
S'amunu | Somenos Conservation Area
S'amunu (Somenos Conservation Area) is a low-lying freshwater marsh with boardwalks, cattails and open water that deliver strong reflections, layered wetland textures and abundant waterfowl. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm side-light and glassy reflections; migratory seasons (spring/fall) yield the most bird activity. Easily accessible: short trails and a main parking lot, no fee. Expect mosquitoes in summer and seasonal flooding; boardwalks limit access but make for intimate low-angle v
Mayo Park
Mayo Park offers mossy second-growth forest, river channels, small cascades and a scenic boardwalk—great for intimate nature and waterscape shots. Best at golden hour or after rain for saturated greens and flowing water; autumn brings color. Trails are short and mostly easy but can be rooty/muddy; free entry and roadside parking near trailheads. Quiet local spot with seasonal birdlife and salmon runs.
Evans Park
Small waterfront park on Somenos Lake with shoreline, reeds, wetlands and good birdlife — ideal for intimate waterscape and wildlife shots. Easy roadside parking and flat paths make it accessible year-round; no entry fee. Best at sunrise and golden hour for warm light and calm water reflections; spring and fall offer peak bird migration. Weekday mornings are quieter. Expect variable weather — bring layers and insect repellent in summer.
Fairview Park
Compact community park with open lawns, mature trees and paved paths — good for landscape and lifestyle shots, playground/action photography and seasonal foliage. Visit at golden hour for warm light and longer shadows; spring and fall deliver best color. Easily accessible with free on-site parking and no entry fee; paths are walkable with some benches for staging. Weekdays and early mornings are quieter.
Alan Wilson Park
Small riverside park with lawns, mature trees and a stretch of the Cowichan River — good for intimate landscape, waterscape and local birdlife shots. Easy, free access from George St with on-street parking and paved paths suitable for tripods and wheelchairs. Best light is at golden hour (sunrise or late afternoon) for warm side-light on trees and reflections; spring and fall bring color and increased bird activity. Weekday mornings are least crowded.
Rockridge Park
Rockridge Park offers verdant coastal-forest trails, rocky shoreline and small beaches—great for intimate landscape and waterscape shots. Visit at golden hour or low tide for textured rocks, reflections and warm light. Easy roadside parking and short, accessible trails; expect muddy sections after rain. No entry fee; weekdays and early mornings reduce dog traffic. The mixture of arbutus and fir, mossy logs and water makes it a compact, photogenic local spot.
Moorfield Park
Small community park with open lawns, mature trees and a pond—good for intimate landscape, waterscape and bird photography. Visit at golden hour for warm backlight and reflections; weekdays or early mornings for solitude. Easy roadside parking on Moorfield Rd, no entry fee; paths are short and mostly flat. Bring insect repellent in summer; the park offers quiet local character rather than dramatic vistas.