The Englishman River Park 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. Englishman River Falls Park
The river is situated in the Englishman River Park just north of Nanaimo, The Provincial 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.
The park has beautiful old-growth and second-growth forests of fir, cedar, hemlock, and maple along with beautiful trails that meander through these forests.
The park has a big day-use area and campground and contains several hiking trails that wander through the forest and along the river. You will get awesome views along the way, crossing two bridges gives you 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. This deep pool is an ideal swimming hole, but please be careful as there are no lifeguards on duty.
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 from many years ago, the area’s first people found the remains of a white man here and this is how it got its name.
Fires are allowed, 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.
This park has a large picnic area, located past the campground next to the falls parking lot. 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.