Enjoy taking a dip in the sooke potholes this summer. Photo by JoshMcCulloch.com.
If you enjoy waking up to the soothing sounds of rushing water, the smell of Douglas Fir and stovetop coffee then you’ve come to the right place – the Sooke Potholes Campground, owned and operated by TLC. Opening May 21, the campground contains over 60 tent and RV sites including a special by donation bicycle camp, just off the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. Located at the north end of Sooke Potholes Regional Park, recreation, nature, and family fun are just a step away.
Sooke Potholes Campground. Photo by iii-imaging.com
The Sooke Potholes are one of the most recognized features of the Southern Vancouver Island landscape. Famous as a spectacular swimming spot, many residents of the Capital Region have fond memories of their visits to the Potholes. Each summer tens of thousands of people flock to the park to bask in the sun, take a dip in the refreshing waters and explore the many surrounding trails.
The Potholes were formed during the last ice age, about 15,000 years ago. As the moving, melting ice packs stripped the surface, violent torrents of meltwater, pressurized beneath hundreds of metres of ice, carved a path deep into the natural bedrock. Huge boulders carried by the glacial action became lodged and were swirled against the canyon walls, consequently carving out the potholes that can be seen today.
While most are familiar with the Sooke Potholes, many don’t realize that without the hard work of TLC, this special place might not be here today. In 2004, TLC and the Capital Regional District (CRD) agreed to purchase lands neighbouring the region’s well-loved potholes, effectively creating a regional park in 2005. More recently, TLC and the CRD have again teamed up to purchase more lands surrounding the Sooke Potholes and Sooke Hills. Dubbed by TLC as the Wild Hills and Beaches campaign, TLC and CRD are looking to acquire over 5,700 acres of Western Forest Products lands in the Jordan River and Sooke Hills area.
By staying at the Sooke Potholes Campground, you’ll not only treat your family to a well-deserved local getaway, you’ll also contribute to conservation efforts in B.C. All proceeds from the campground are re-invested in TLC’s conservation work and programs. Now that’s a holiday to feel good about.
To find out more, or to book your spot at Sooke Potholes Campground, call TLC today at 250-383-4627 or 1-888-738-0533, email enterprises@conservancy.bc.ca or visit conservancy.bc.ca
