Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
These rock formations have become a popular local swimming area.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
544 reviews
Excellent
323
Very good
160
Average
43
Poor
11
Terrible
7
David
Victoria, Canada1 contribution
Jul 2020 • Family
If you are an out of towner, I would NOT suggest this place. The locals do not like tourists coming to sooke especially the potholes. Also sooke has a reputation to be very redneck so expect to see them there. This is mainly a local teen party spot anyways and I would not suggest this place to anyone but maybe young people. Guys please don’t make the mistake I did the locals in sooke are very dangerous and I would NOT suggest anyone coming here.
Written October 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin and Rhond... T
Sherwood Park, Canada242 contributions
Oct 2020
My husband and stopped in here for a hike and to check out the potholes after years of driving by and we were pleasantly surprised. The scenery is beautiful along the river and the hiking trails are very nice and relaxing. We started in the 2nd parking lot and went up which is a good hike; so be prepared to walk, walk, walk here! We were also lucky enough to watch a couple of guys who were angling for female salmon for the fish hatchery to get the eggs; which was interesting to watch as they caught the salmon and then the hatchery truck arrived to await the fish.
The cliffs are very steep all along the trail by the river, so I would be very careful with pets and children in the area.
The one thing we found interesting in a not so good way is the lack of signage related to the large, unfinished hotel with the chimney that is all fenced off with no entrance signs? It would be good to have a sign there saying what it was as I am sure that we aren't the only ones who were/are curious about this place in the middle of the park on the banks of the river!
The cliffs are very steep all along the trail by the river, so I would be very careful with pets and children in the area.
The one thing we found interesting in a not so good way is the lack of signage related to the large, unfinished hotel with the chimney that is all fenced off with no entrance signs? It would be good to have a sign there saying what it was as I am sure that we aren't the only ones who were/are curious about this place in the middle of the park on the banks of the river!
Written October 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A M
London, Canada68 contributions
Aug 2021
This is a very nice spot to visit and hike along the river paths. It’s only 2.25 to park all day and the machines accept cards. The trails are ‘somewhat’ easy, but you do have to be careful with some steep ascents and long staircases. You can easily get to the rocks and climb down if you’re able.
Try visiting in the spring season, as it can be pretty dry in the summer time. No doubt the water flows quickly when there’s plenty of rain to feed the ravine. Go early in the day and during the week so you have plenty of time to stop and enjoy the sites. And, the crowds are much smaller too.
Signage is adequate, though it could use some improvements to benefit the first-time visitor. The Galloping Goose trail follows along so you can bike on that roadway and enter the trails at many locations.
Go to the web site and download the hiking map, as you can’t get one from the visitor’s centre downtown - strange but true. Carry it with you. You’ll need it just in case.
Try visiting in the spring season, as it can be pretty dry in the summer time. No doubt the water flows quickly when there’s plenty of rain to feed the ravine. Go early in the day and during the week so you have plenty of time to stop and enjoy the sites. And, the crowds are much smaller too.
Signage is adequate, though it could use some improvements to benefit the first-time visitor. The Galloping Goose trail follows along so you can bike on that roadway and enter the trails at many locations.
Go to the web site and download the hiking map, as you can’t get one from the visitor’s centre downtown - strange but true. Carry it with you. You’ll need it just in case.
Written August 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeattleReebs
Seattle, WA1,033 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
This place is confusing if you want to find the potholes. So here's my advice. Park at lot three (which is actually in the regional park, not the provincial park) and pay your $2.50. Then walk to the south end of the parking lot (that's the one you came in from). Find the trail toward the river. Take the right fork when you hit a fork. And scramble down the path to the potholes. I made the mistake of doing this in crocs. Wear real shoes if you can. Then you will be rewarded with the most pristine water coming through the narrow potholes. The water is deep and CLEAR. And so cool and refreshing. Enjoy your swim. Then put on those real shoes and climb back out. The whole walk is less than a km, but is technical in the steep with roots and rocks sort of sense.
We also tried lot two. From which you can walk to lot three if you need to. Or you can walk to "sandy beach" which should be called "rocky beach" but is a beautiful spot none the less. There was almost no one on the beach, and the water is shallow and in places fast moving.
We tried the Provincial park lot too. There the river was overrun with little kids. It is perfect for them as the water is slower moving and still shallow. So if that's your scene, enjoy!
We also tried lot two. From which you can walk to lot three if you need to. Or you can walk to "sandy beach" which should be called "rocky beach" but is a beautiful spot none the less. There was almost no one on the beach, and the water is shallow and in places fast moving.
We tried the Provincial park lot too. There the river was overrun with little kids. It is perfect for them as the water is slower moving and still shallow. So if that's your scene, enjoy!
Written July 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stewart H
Burnaby, Canada68 contributions
Feb 2022
couple different parking lots allow for a shorter or longer walk to the views. We parked in #1 Some great view sites. Well worth the visit. we went on a damp day in February and some of the rocks were slippery. be careful. all easy walking could see some great swimming in the summer
Written February 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chuck h
Vancouver, Canada152 contributions
Sept 2021
The potholes are well worth the time to go see them, only about 10- 15 minutes off the main hwy. This is Mother Nature at its finest. There are 3 parking lots which you can stop at to get out and walk the paths above the river. Parking is $2.25 or $2.50 all day and good for all 3 lots. It's beautiful and peaceful out there in the forest.
Written September 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William S
Liverpool, UK614 contributions
Jul 2021
We took the short drive from Sooke to the Park and parked in car park 2 after advice from a ranger. Apparently you cannot see a pothole from carpark 1. You pay only $2.25 for the day at a machine in the carpark. There are three paths you can take - to see the pothole, exit the carpark and cross the road to the entrance to the path which runs for a short distance back parallel to the road before turning right and, after a few minutes, descends several steps to lookouts over the porthole and gorge. The views are stunning - among the best sites we have ever seen. Crystal clear water, amazing rock formations, fabulous trees make for a great experience. Not to be missed.
Written July 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raroboy
Canada533 contributions
Jun 2020
We started with Parking lot #1: and discovered soon: we don’t want to walk along the road – so we drove to Parking lot #2. There are 2 things which are not our favourite here one is that you pay for parking- Really!! Then the next is, that there are sometimes signs, but the whole park is quite confusing with the signage and if you want to see the river and canyon then you have to go off the official path and walk on un-official path to the rim: where you then climb or walk back over the nature floor (I think a few proper path would go a long way in preserving the rest). Same if you walk the River walk then sometimes you literally walk on the road!!!!
Ok so we ventured off fairly soon from the main trail and went along the river but then we really had to climb over rocks and then went back to the main path – we came by a few picnic tables and some “beaches” until we decided to turn around when we reached the campground entrance: and the “Canyon” already became more a river, so we assumed we saw the most interesting part – then it went a bit back along the road (since we didn’t wanted to climb over the rocks) – then we find the path again were not sure where it even went, finally nearly back we find a sign “pothole viewing platform” – guess that was something we did not find out first even we parked on the Pothole viewing parking lot, so we checked it out and then also came to the old resort left overs – which are behind a fence – what a shame it would be so much fun to explore it. That is when we were trying to find the parking lot (even we earlier followed the sign parking lot #2) – finally we found it and were back at our motorhome.
Ok so we ventured off fairly soon from the main trail and went along the river but then we really had to climb over rocks and then went back to the main path – we came by a few picnic tables and some “beaches” until we decided to turn around when we reached the campground entrance: and the “Canyon” already became more a river, so we assumed we saw the most interesting part – then it went a bit back along the road (since we didn’t wanted to climb over the rocks) – then we find the path again were not sure where it even went, finally nearly back we find a sign “pothole viewing platform” – guess that was something we did not find out first even we parked on the Pothole viewing parking lot, so we checked it out and then also came to the old resort left overs – which are behind a fence – what a shame it would be so much fun to explore it. That is when we were trying to find the parking lot (even we earlier followed the sign parking lot #2) – finally we found it and were back at our motorhome.
Written June 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hongkon
Hong Kong, China285 contributions
Aug 2021
The visit to Sooke "potholes" were a highlight of our Victoria vacation. Parking lot 2 was the best in order to access a trail leading down to a particularly beautiful spot with several "potholes" that were easily accessible and great for a very chilly swim.
Some brave souls did cliff jumping and the smooth rocks surrounding the pools were busy with sunbathers, but there are many adjoining, accessible spots to avoid large groups. Will definitely return to further explore this wonderful park
Some brave souls did cliff jumping and the smooth rocks surrounding the pools were busy with sunbathers, but there are many adjoining, accessible spots to avoid large groups. Will definitely return to further explore this wonderful park
Written August 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
catphotos
Vancouver, Canada9 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Great place to spend an afternoon. Well maintained walking trails and plenty of space along the river to stop and swim. Allows for easy social distancing from other groups. If you plan to go on a sunny weekend, get there early! But you should find parking easily on a weekday morning if you’re there by 11am.
Written August 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey Kerrie, Are the potholes fun to visit even if it is raining a little? I am coming on Friday and wanted to go for a pretty hike.
Written September 26, 2019
Its beautiful like being in a tropical rain forest lots of cover trails and out houses
Written September 27, 2019
Which parking lot has most accessibility for those with mobility issues in summer?
Written July 25, 2019
Gosh that’s a tricky question. Perhaps a call to the parks people might be helpful? There are worn pathways from the parking areas to the potholes and they might be able to help you with which paths might be easiest to maneuver.
Written July 26, 2019
I am handicapped and use an electric scooter when my husband and I travel. I am interested in finding out about parks and trails that are handicapped accessible. We will be staying 3 nights in Victoria and would like to visit other areas (like Sooke) while we are there in July. Thank you for your help!
Written March 5, 2019
The road and parking lots would be accessible for you. Actual access to the water would be tricker. The first beach area might work if you are able to transfer from your scooter and then walk a bit alone or with help. However, most of the pools would not be accessible via scooter and would even be hard for you to see from the viewpoints as the viewpoints aren't really scooter friendly (one has to crane one's neck and look down into the canyon area from many of them). Goldstream Provincial Park might be a better option for you. The river area isn't as carved out as the potholes, but the trees are much larger and access is better.
Written March 6, 2019
Denise C
Victoria Capital Regional District, Canada
public transportation cafe, stores pubs?
Written July 26, 2015
There is a municipal bus service from Victoria to Sooke. Sooke itself has several coffee shops, some good restaurants and more. There is a pub in Sooke plus another on the way out to Sooke about halfway between Langford and Sooke. Langford has pretty much everything you would want or need.
Written July 27, 2015
What is the water temperature at the beginning of May?
Written May 22, 2015
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