Two neighbouring parks under different jurisdictions offer access to the unique sandstone formations known as the Sooke Potholes, carved by moving boulders trapped in the swirling Sooke River. Sooke Potholes Provincial Park is the smaller of the two parks, with 7.3 hectares of undeveloped land. The only facility is a toilet at the parking lot. It offers river access, but not at the most scenic location. The best views are in Sooke Potholes Regional Park, which protects 55 hectares along the Sooke River north of the provincial park. A popular time to visit is during the fall salmon run.
Explore Sooke: Sooke Potholes
Picnic areas and day use: The Sooke River is a well-used swimming area, with pocket beaches at various points along the regional park. Roadside parking is limited, so expect to walk to reach choice spots. The actual beaches are usually quite small and could potentially fill quickly.
Camping: The Sooke Potholes Campground is located just to the north of the regional park. Some sites are suited for walk-in or cycle-in camping, but most are quite open and best suited for RVs, with many reserved for RVs only.
Short walks: Several short trails lead from the roadway to pothole viewpoints or to beach areas. All day-use visitors will be required to walk north of the gate to see Hideaway, Ripple Rock and Skipping Rock beaches, plus other viewpoints. Walking between viewpoints south of the gate puts you on the narrow roadway rather than a trail at many points, so this is not hiking territory.
Hiking and Cycling: The Galloping Goose Regional Trail traverses the length of the two parks and continues north to Leechtown, providing a recreational travel corridor through the region near the Sooke River. Cyclists will have an easier time getting to the regional park than the provincial park, as the trail crosses Sooke River Road inside the regional park. To get to the provincial park, cyclists have to leave the trail and take the road to the park entrance.
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Witty's Lagoon |
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Galloping Goose Trail |
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East Sooke Regional Park |
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Whiffen Spit |
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French Beach |
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Sooke Potholes |
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Sea to Sea Regional Park |