Highlights include waterfalls, abandoned gold mine shafts, (the legacy of a brief mid-19th century gold rush), an extensive picnic area and nature house. A trip to the park offers a glimpse of life in a temperate coastal rainforest with ancient Douglas-fir trees and western red cedars, some more than 600 years old. Even if you don't have a day to spend, a 15-minute loop walk will give a visitor a sense of the park's natural diversity and a chance to see some of the oldest trees around.

Goldstream is best known for its annual salmon run from late October through December. Busloads of local school children and visitors alike come to watch Chum, Coho and Chinook salmon return from the Pacific Ocean to their ancestral spawning ground in the Goldstream River. This ritual of regeneration attracts a variety of wildlife including Bald Eagles who come to feed on fish carcasses.

The Freeman King Nature House is an excellent interpretive center offering hands-on educational exhibits that are a treat for kids. Located just north of the day-use parking area, the house is open daily in summer and during the winter salmon run. Seasonal programs are posted and include guided walks, talks and slide shows.

Just southeast of the parking area is 419-meter-high Mount Finlayson, a favorite spot for local hikers. Added to the park in 1994, a climb up Finlayson is no casual "walk in the park." The ascent is a challenging one with rugged terrain that may leave your calves aching and it will take about an hour to reach the summit. For intrepid souls who make the trek, the payoff is worth the effort. Carry a light picnic, plenty of water and enjoy breathtaking views of the Saanich Inlet from one of the highest points in Greater Victoria.

The campground, accessible via Sooke Lake Road at the southern boundary of the park, is well-maintained and picturesque. Amenities include showers, wheelchair accessibility to designated sites, as well as an amphitheatre theatre where summertime campers can watch films under the stars.

Written By: Sarah Pollard

Features
Kid Friendly  |  Bathrooms  |  Picnic Tables  |  Walking Trails  |  Biking Trails  |  Picnic Area  |  Swimming Areas

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