13 Unique and Fun Things to Do In Parksville

Top Bridge is a very popular swimming spot on the Englishman River, located around 10 – 15 minutes from Parksville. The name comes from the big bridge over the river. 

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There are multiple different spots along the river for swimming. However, be warned – the water is very cold. Outside of glacier water, it’s some of the coldest we’ve experienced! 

For the thrill seeker, there are also some spots for jumping from the rocks into the water. 

If you happen to visit during the fall, you may be lucky to see some salmon swimming and jumping out of the water. It’s one of the many places on Vancouver Island where you can witness the salmon run!

While this small village/collection of shops is a very well-established tourist destination, visiting is still a fun thing to do near Parksville. 

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There are a handful of shops in Coombs, but most people come for The Old Country Market.

It’s super cute, with lots of great international items and yummy baked goods. Oh yeah, there are goats on the roof too! 

The lake, tucked between mountains, has a wide rocky beach and crystal-clear water. It’s absolutely perfect for swimming on hot summer days.

Oh yeah, there’s speculation of a Cameron Lake monster too!

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In our time in Parksville, we visited Cameron Lake many, many times. We made it a point to stop off for a swim during the majority of the warm and sunny days we had. 

There are 2 different access areas for Cameron Lake: the main day-use area and the Beaufort Picnic Area. 

The main day-use area is closer to town and has a long beach, picnic tables and washrooms.

The Beaufort Picnic Area is further down the highway and is much smaller, but on a beautiful piece of land that juts out into the lake. The parking here is limited, but there is space on the other side of the highway (be careful crossing!). 

If you’re going late in the afternoon, the main day-use area gets the sun the longest. 

Cameron Lake is located on Highway 4 (the highway that goes to Tofino) and is very close to some of the other great things to do near Parksville on this list.

Why not make a fun day of it and hit a few up in one stop?

Stretching along the Salish Sea coastline, Qualicum Beach offers sweeping views of the Strait of Georgia. The coastal mountains of mainland British Columbia are visible in the distance. In our view, it’s those mountains in the distance that make it really special.

The beach itself is mostly pebbly rather than sandy, but the waters are relatively shallow and warm in the summer, so it’s a great spot to swim. 

A paved promenade runs parallel to the beach and is host to ice cream trucks and food vendors. In the busy summer months, the area is filled with people walking, picnicking and just hanging out, creating a fun vibe. 

The old-growth forest here is really special and although it’s pretty touristy, it’s still a beautiful place to visit and an essential Parksville activity. 

The grove gets its name from the cathedral-like feeling created by the massive trees. Adding to the beauty is the forest floor, which is covered with a thick carpet of mosses and ferns. 

There are some nice walks (not hikes) throughout Cathedral Grove, with good signage.

On the north side of the highway, there’s a boardwalk to limit damage to the vegetation. On the south side is where you’ll find the biggest tree in the park. 

It can get very busy at Cathedral Grove, so time your visit properly. If you can, visit early and on weekdays. 

The park is covered with lush forests of old-growth and second-growth Douglas fir, cedar and maple trees.

The main attractions are the 2 waterfalls: the upper and lower falls. The 2 waterfalls are quite different: the upper falls cascade into a deep canyon, while the lower falls flow into a calm pool. They’re both very beautiful.

If it’s a warm day, the crystal-clear pool at the end of the lower falls is a perfect spot for swimming. It’s also a good spot for seeing the salmon run – we saw hundreds here!

There are nice trails for walking and good camping and day-use areas. 

The park gate is open from May 1 to September 30. Outside of this time, you have to enter on foot. 

Lasqueti Island is a unique and off-the-grid destination located in the Strait of Georgia. The island is completely off-grid and is home to a small and close-knit community. 

The island is pretty undeveloped and rugged. The appeal of visiting such a unique place is reason enough to go.

To get to Lasqueti Island, you can take a passenger-only ferry from French Creek, which is located between Parksville and Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. This means you can’t take your car, nor are there vehicle rentals or any sort of public transport.

Since you can’t bring your own set of wheels, you’ll be forced to explore Lasqueti Island by foot, bike or hitchhiking – which is all part of the adventure!

Due to the wide bay, the waters in Nanoose Bay are very calm. This makes it a great place to go kayaking and boating.

To explore Nanoose Bay on foot, Moorecraft Regional Park has a few easy walking trails and great views of the Strait of Georgia. 

Nanoose Bay is also a very lovely place to stay, with a number of beautiful properties. Inn at the Estuary and the Pacific Shores Resort are both incredible.

Be sure to stop off at Springford Farm, a family-owned and operated farm committed to ethical farming practices. It’s super cute and often hosts food trucks on its property.

There’s also Rusted Rake Brewing, a new brewery/pub in the area. 

The park features both upper and lower waterfalls along the Little Qualicum River, set against a backdrop of old-growth trees and rugged cliffs. 

There are 6 km of walking trails throughout the park, leaving from the campground and the day-use area. They meander through old-growth and second-growth forest along the Little Qualicum River.

For a nice easy walk, we recommend the loop trail that leaves from the day-use area. This takes in the lower and upper waterfalls and is a nice, gentle stroll through the area. 

If you’d like to camp, there are 2 campgrounds in the park and the sites look very nice (although I presume they’re popular). 

The gate is only open from April 15 to October 15, so if you want to visit outside this time, you’ll have to walk in. 

Little Qualicum Cheeseworks is a small, family-run cheesemaking facility. The company is known for producing a wide variety of handcrafted artisan (and delicious!) cheeses using milk from their own cows, which are raised on the farm’s lush pastures. 

What we really love about them is that their cows are treated humanely and ethically, so it’s an ethical choice for your cheese board!

You can do self-guided tours, guided tours or just visit to pick up some products. You can even fill up your own milk containers! It’s a delicious thing to do in Parksville. 

The Mount Arrowsmith Brewing Company is a nice place to go for a pint or a flight. They have a pretty decent outdoor patio (dog-friendly) and a play area for kids.

We stopped by on a Saturday after swimming at Cameron Lake and it was busy!

In Qualicum Beach, you have Fern + Cedar Brewing Company and the nano-brewery Loveshack Libations. 

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