Wait… Vancouver Island Has One Too?

Finding Niagara Falls

Yes. There’s a Niagara Falls here. No, not that Niagara Falls. Goldstream’s Niagara Falls is an entirely different experience, dropping 47.5 metres down a rock cliff into a clear canyon pool below.

And honestly, I love finding places like this.

There’s something particularly beautiful about a waterfall surrounded by thick Vancouver Island forest. This isn’t a giant tourist attraction with observation towers and souvenir shops. It’s water tumbling down a cliff in the middle of the trees.

You walk through the forest… You hear the water… And eventually you find the waterfall. That’s my kind of travel reward.

Because One Waterfall Apparently Isn’t Enough

Discovering Upper Goldstream Falls

Goldstream has another waterfall waiting deeper within the park.

The trail to Upper Goldstream Falls follows the Goldstream River through lush forest before eventually reaching a long staircase descending into the canyon and towards the falls.

And we should probably discuss an important fact about walking down a long staircase. You eventually have to walk back UP the long staircase. Funny how stairs never seem particularly concerned about mentioning that on the way down. 😂

Still, this is exactly the kind of hike I enjoy. Forest. River. Waterfall. And just enough effort involved to feel like you’ve earned the view.

Then Autumn Changes Everything

When the Salmon Come Home

If you’re visiting Goldstream in autumn, there’s an entirely different reason to come.

Every year, thousands of chum salmon return to the Goldstream River to spawn. The park has riverside trails and observation platforms where visitors can watch this incredible natural event unfold.

The park’s visitor information identifies late October through November as the best period for viewing the salmon run. And the salmon aren’t the only ones arriving. Bald eagles are also drawn to the river to feed on the spawned-out salmon.

There are certain travel experiences that are impressive because someone built something extraordinary. And then there are experiences like this. Nobody created it. Nobody scheduled it.

The salmon have simply been making this journey long before any of us arrived to watch. I’d happily stand beside the river for a while just taking that in.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Easy Walk or Serious Hike?

One of the things I appreciate about Goldstream Provincial Park is that you don’t have to arrive prepared to conquer a mountain. Unless, of course, you want to conquer a mountain.

The park’s trails range from easy walks, including some wheelchair-accessible routes, to much more strenuous hikes. So your Goldstream day can be: “Let’s take a peaceful walk beneath some enormous trees.” Or: “You know what sounds fun? Climbing a mountain.”

For those belonging to the second group, Mount Finlayson is one of the park’s more adventurous hiking options and one of the highest points in Greater Victoria.

Personally, I appreciate a provincial park that allows everyone to negotiate their own relationship with suffering.

There’s More to Learn

The Freeman King Visitor Centre

If you want to understand more about what you’re seeing, make time for the Freeman King Visitor Centre. Park naturalists provide interpretive programmes and information about the area’s natural history. I especially like stops like this when travelling with kids.

Because saying: “That’s a really big tree.” is one thing. Discovering that some of the Douglas fir trees you’ve just walked beneath are more than 600 years old changes the experience completely.

Suddenly you’re not just looking at a tree. 

You’re looking at something that has been standing there through centuries of Vancouver Island history.

And that’s worth stopping to think about.

_{Please note that I have not received these products for free or at a discounted price in exchange for my opinion.  There may be links that are affiliate links but at the time of posting this review, I have not received any monetary kickbacks.}