Youbou is a picturesque community on Vancouver Island that offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical richness. They built the community below Mount Holmes along a beautiful strip of shoreline on Cowichan Lake.
Local First Nations know Cowichan Lake as “Kaatza” or “The Big Lake.” At over 30 km long (62 km2), it's the second-largest body of fresh water on Vancouver Island.
Nestled on the sunny side of the lake, Youbou allows one to embrace outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing.
A Bit of History
Youbou's history is a captivating blend of industry, community resilience, and cultural diversity, making it a unique and vibrant part of Vancouver Island's heritage.
Culture
Beyond its natural allure, Youbou has a significant First Nations presence, adding a cultural dimension to the experience.
Ts'uubaa-asatx Nation (formerly known as Lake Cowichan First Nation) has lived around the shores of Cowichan Lake for ages, long before the arrival of Europeans. The English translation of the name Ts'uubaa-asatx is “People of the Lake.”
Originally called Cottonwood, we now know the area as Youbou. Youbou (pronounced Yoo-boh) was named after the original mill owners, Mr. Yount and Mr. Bouten.
Significance of the Youbou Mill
Founded in 1913 by the Empire Lumber Company, the Youbou Mill played a crucial role in the region's development. It has a historical significance linked to South Asian Canadian labourers (primarily Sikh-Canadian) who helped fuel its growth to one of the largest sawmills in the Lake Cowichan area.
By 1925, the mill was putting out approximately 30,000 – 40,000 board feet of lumber daily.
Youbou grew to house workers' accommodations and mill offices. The mill-working community eventually was able to support a church, an elementary school, a volunteer fire department, and a community hall.
In January 2001, the Youbou Sawmill closed, ending 73 years of continuous production. This closure of the last sawmill on Cowichan Lake severely impacted the region's economy and the livelihood of generational families who depended on the mills' success.
What's left of the Youbou Mill site consists of only a few remains, including wharf remnants and wood pilings. However, in February 2020, it was registered as one of Canada's Historic Sites.
Fun Historical Facts
- In 1929, an eight-mile stretch of highway was completed, connecting Youbou with the larger community of Lake Cowichan.
- The local church and community hall were built in 1937 and still stand today.
- A new and much larger community school, named Yount School, opened in September 1935. By early 1939, the school was filled to capacity, and additions were built.
- In 1945, Yount School was recognized as one of the country's most modern and best-equipped schools.
- In June 1946, a significant earthquake registering 7.3 on the Richter Scale caused a piece of land at the mouth of Cottonwood Creek to drop into Cowichan Lake. This caused a tsunami and forever changed the lake's west shore. The earthquake was the strongest on-land earthquake in Canada’s recorded history.
- By 1951, the community of Youbou had three grocery stores: Brunings Low-Cost Grocery, Hills and Norm’s Market, and the Red and White department store. The latter was known as one of the ‘most modern merchandising establishments in Western Canada.'
Youbou Today
Since its establishment, Youbou has thrived, evolving from its early days as a lumber mill town. Despite challenges and the mill closure, the town lives on. It's a community of resilience.
Parks & Trails
- Arbutus Park Beach: Enjoy a day by the water at this public beach. It's one of the few swimming beaches with lifeguards during summer. Other facilities include a wharf, picnic tables and shelters, benches, swings, parking, washrooms, and change rooms.
- Bald Mountain Park: Head here for stunning panoramic views of Lake Cowichan and the surrounding area. It's a great spot for nature lovers and those seeking beautiful landscapes. This park has various hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult.
- Price Park: This beautiful nature park offers a 1.1km loop trail from Youbou Road to Cowichan Lake, complete with picnic areas.
- Christopher Rock: Located just north of Youbou, Christopher Rock provides beautiful views of the northern arms of Cowichan Lake. The trailhead and parking area are right behind the Youbou school and bowling alley at the end of Hemlock Street.
Food & Dining in Youbou
Youbou Bar & Grill – 10524 Youbou Road.
This neighbourhood restaurant offers pub fare with locally sourced ingredients and a good selection of wine and beer. When the weather permits, enjoy the spacious patio and soak in the beautiful views. You may even see some local wildlife lounging on the grass below!
For all other types of dining, you'll have to head into the town of Lake Cowichan.
Youbou General Store – 10480 Youbou Road
Known for offering a variety of grocery and supermarket items, including alcohol.
Lodging
Youbou doesn't have a hotel or motel, but a guest house and a few vacation rentals are available.
The community is a short drive from the town of Lake Cowichan, where you'll find a variety of accommodations.
Wildlife Viewing
Vancouver Island is home to one of only two herds of pure-strain Roosevelt Elk globally. These coastal elk are the largest and heaviest in North America, with bulls weighing over 1,000 lbs.
And Youbou is home to a notable elk presence, adding a unique charm to the area.
News stories about the cohabitation of humans and wildlife in Youbou have been significant over the last few years. One elk, affectionately named ‘Bob,' even positively impacted the small town, becoming a local celebrity.
Resident Wendy Stokes is a self-proclaimed ‘Elk Lady of Youbou.' She informally monitors the local population and calls local conservation officers if an elk needs help (they often get wrapped up in clotheslines, etc.).
Over the years, we've had great success viewing Elk in Youbou, especially during the fall. Personally, I feel they head into town to avoid the hunters!
Campsites near Youbou
Two Forestry Campsites are located just west of Youbou, allowing easy access to the community and the beautiful lake.
Just west of town, the road turns into a gravel logging road that's graded and maintained by logging companies. This road leads to areas such as Nitinat Lake and, eventually, Bamfield. The condition of the road can vary substantially, as the upkeep is determined by logging activity. However, the two rec sites are located closer to Youbou and have easy access.
Pine Point Recreation Site offers vehicle and tent camping, fishing, paddling, swimming, and hiking. Pine Point Beach is south-facing and provides warm sunbathing conditions. Facilities include a boat launch for small boats and pit toilets. This site welcomes all kinds of units as this part of the road is paved up to the Rec Site.
Maple Grove Recreation Site offers vehicle and tent camping, as well as a south-facing beach, pit toilets, and a boat launch for boats up to 14 feet in length. RVs can access this site as this part of the forest road is a good gravel road.
Hidden Gem, Found Just West of Youbou
We recently stayed in Lake Cowichan for a hockey tournament and had time to explore this area again. While driving just west of Youbou, we stopped at a spot we discovered a few years ago while driving the Port Alberni/Bamfield/Youbou loop.
It's such a pretty spot and a perfect easy-access location for our hidden gem members!
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In Summary
Youbou has a tranquil ambiance, allowing an escape from the hustle and bustle.
Visit Youbou for an unforgettable blend of nature, history, and outdoor activities, making it a must-see destination on Vancouver Island.
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