Arrowsmith Coombs Country

Indoor gardens with a number of exotic butterfly species. There’s also a small orchid garden and turtle pond. Often a hit with young children.

Small park that preserves old growth forest with hiking trails on both sides of the highway. The park is the site of Cathedral Grove, where large circumference, tall trees are located. On the south side of the road are some giant Douglas fir trees, some of which are 800 years old, and up to 75 m tall and 9 m in circumference. The north side has a number of old growth Western Red Cedars, which were the trees carved by the First Nations to construct totem poles.

The upper falls are a 5-10 minute walk from the day use area parking lot on a wide well-graded trail. The trail continues on through old growth and second generation forest along the river to the lower falls. Round trip is about 2 km. There is a swimming area in the pools below the lower falls.

Treatment and recovery facility for injured or abandoned wildlife. There is a learning center with exhibits and a number of eagles, owls, ferrets and Knut the Bear. The facility also looks after bear cubs with the aim to release them back into the wild (the cubs can only be viewed on camera, no interaction with visitors).

Family-run farm that offers trail rides and horse riding lessons. There is also a barnyard with some of the usual small farm animals that the kids can get close to. The trail rides vary from short and easy for beginners to longer excursions for more experienced riders. Trail rides should be booked in advance.

Camping (no hookups) $15 per night per unit

At 1,819 m (5,968 ft), it is the largest mountain on southern Vancouver Island. Its dominant rock is basalt. The mountain is contained within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is designated part of the 1,300 hectare Mt. Arrowsmith Massif Regional Park.