Englishman River Falls is located 13 km southwest of Parksville on central Vancouver Island. Take the Port Alberni road at Parksville and follow the directional signs that are posted about 9 km up the road. The river is situated in the Englishman River park just north of Nanaimo, this park features two incredible waterfalls in a deep canyon. The upper falls seem to disappear into the rocks while the lower falls drop into a beautiful calm pool.
There are some incredible old-growth and second-growth forests of fir, cedar, hemlock, and maple along with beautiful trails that meander through these forests. It’s a great place for a walk. Well-maintained hiking trails wander throughout the park. The trails follow the river and lead to the upper and lower falls, providing incredible vistas of the river and falls.
There are a big day-use area and several hiking trails that wander through the forest and along the river. You will get awesome views along the way, crossing two bridges you will get views of the river as it plunges down the narrow rock canyon toward quieter waters below.
The lower falls drop into a deep pool that is used as a swimming hole in the summer when river levels drop. At the end of your walk, you can have a picnic lunch in the big covered day-use area. This is a great place to have family picnics, there is a parking area with space for about 100 vehicles, a picnic shelter, picnic tables, flush toilets, and freshwater, so come on for a visit, a hike, camping, or a picnic.
The park was created in the early 40s to protect the old-growth forests, the associated understudy of plants, the river, and the waterfalls. According to an old legend, Years ago, the area’s first people found the remains of a white man here and this is how it got its name.
Swimming is allowed in the river below the lower falls. This deep pool is an ideal swimming hole when river levels are low. There are no lifeguards on duty, so please be careful.
There is a wonderful campground here if you would like to stay a day or two. Fires are allowed in the fire rings but we ask campers to minimize the use of open fires by using stoves instead. Campfire rings are provided at each campsite. Firewood can be purchased from the Park Facility Operator. The picnic area is located past the campground next to the falls parking lot.