Why You Need to Get Outside
Spring and summer are wonderful times of optimism, so why not push yourself to explore the outdoors?
Mosaic Forest Management facilitates recreational access with public safety in mind, partnering with over 125 organizations annually to permit the use of private managed forest lands for mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and more. Read on to discover five ways to get outside and explore Mosaic’s forest lands.
1. Go for a Hike
Hiking is peaceful, healthy, and suitable for almost everyone. Mosaic offers recreational access opportunities, including hiking, at designated locations throughout Vancouver Island. For details on public access, visit MosaicForests.com/access.
You can also hike our various sanctioned trails across Vancouver Island, like the CPR trail leading up to Mount Arrowsmith near Port Alberni or the Alberni Inlet Trail. Several of our trails boast interpretive signage, providing an enriching learning experience on top of the exercise. One to try is Mosaic’s Darkis Lake interpretive trail (adjacent to Buttle Lake campground in Strathcona Provincial Park) or the ʕaʔuk ʔaama k̓anis/Loon Lake interpretive trail (near the Loon Lake campground in Port Alberni).
The Beaver Creek trail near Cowichan Lake also has a scenic resting spot.
The Christopher Rock trail near Cowichan Lake offers a learning experience on top of the exercise.
2. Go Camping
When was the last time you slept under the stars? Mosaic offers camping at fourteen scenic locations on Vancouver Island. Our newest campsite, ʕaʔuk ʔaama k̓anis/Loon Lake, is located near Port Alberni. It has a fish-stocked lake with an accessible dock to help you make fun and lasting memories.
Mosaic’s campsites are now open for the 2024 season. For details and to make reservations, visit MosaicForests.com/Camping.
The dock at Mosaic’s ʕaʔuk ʔaama k̓anis/Loon Lake campsite gives campers another way to enjoy the great outdoors.
3. Get in the (Bike) Saddle
Hop on your mountain bike for a refreshing way to kick those winter blues to the curb! Thanks to access agreements between Mosaic and local mountain bike clubs, world-class trails are located throughout Mosaic’s land base, including Lake Cowichan, Cumberland, Nanaimo, and Errington. For details, visit MosaicForests.com/Mountainbiking.
Mountain bikers enjoy the Christopher Rock trails in Lake Cowichan.
The Christopher Rock trail near Youbou is great for both hikers and mountain bikers.
4. Go Fish
Mosaic aims to enhance fish populations and support safe recreation opportunities through fish stocking, where hatchery fish are released into lakes to increase fish populations for recreational anglers. Mosaic collaborated with the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC) to stock 16 lakes on Mosaic’s forest lands, including Kissinger Lake. Stocked with rainbow trout, Kissinger Lake is part of a Mosaic campground found west of Lake Cowichan. For more information about FFSBC’s lake stocking program, visit GoFishBC.com.
Mosaic’s newly installed dock at Darkis Lake in Strathcona Provincial Park gives anglers access to a fish-stocked lake.
5. Capture the Adventure Photo Contest
As you’re out there celebrating the best of the season, snap a photo of your explorations and enter it in Mosaic’s photo contest for a chance to win a seven-day camping pass valid at any Mosaic campsite. The contest is now open and ends September 3rd. For details, visit MosaicForests.com/Contest.
If you capture a stunning sunset it could earn you free camping, like it did for one of our past photo contest winners, Stacey Lynn.
Bonus: The Mosaic Pavilion at the Parksville Museum
A fun-for-all-ages outdoor exhibit, the Mosaic Pavilion celebrates forestry on Vancouver Island through informational and interactive displays. The Mosaic Pavilion is accessible to people of all abilities, with admission by donation. For more information, visit ParksvilleMuseum.com.
The Mosaic Pavilion at the Parksville Museum is a great way to learn about forestry on Vancouver Island.