Horne Lake
Caves Provincial Park is a land area of 123 hectares protecting a small
portion of the Qualicum River and the Horne Lake Caves. The caves take
up 75 hectares, while the newest addition of 48 hectares preserves the
river and surrounding area.
Horne Lake
is not part of the provincial park but attracts hundreds of visitors
with excellent fishing opportunities and water fun activities.
Horne Lake
provides fishing year round for cutthroat, rainbow trout, steelhead
and kokanee, but late spring and fall provide the best fishing. Because
of the winds off Mount Mark the water can become uninviting for small
boats, so beware of weather conditions. The Qualicum River is famous
for its good salmon fishing. Near the bridge there is access to the
river where small boats can be launched from the rough shoreline. A
dam and a sluice gate control water volume from Horne Lake into the
river, this maintains protection from flood and drought and increases
the survival of fish fry.
LOCATION
This
interesting park is located, about 60km (37mi) north of Nanaimo
and 12 km (7mi) off the Island Highway (Highway #19). Turn west from
Highway 19 at Horne Lake Road and follow the signs to Horne Lake Caves.
Park
Facilities & Activities
There are
no camping facilities at Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park, but there
is a private campsite with a good boat launch at the west-end of Horne
Lake.
Cave Exploration
- Horne Lake Main and Lower Caves are open for self-guided tours but
the Riverbend Cave (that is grated for protection) can only be explored
by reservation on guided tours. The Main Cave offers about 130m (450ft)
of passages that vary from large chambers to narrow crawl ways. The
Lower Cave is much small with approximately 60m (200ft) of passages
and the largest of the caves, Riverbend Cave, offers 385m (1260ft) of
reserved guided tours.
Information & Services
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This
interesting park is located, about 60km (37mi) north of 
