STOTAN FALLS
STOTAN FALLS CLOSED
It was recently announced in late May 2018 that land owner 3L Developments has decided to remove all tolls and fees and to once again open Stotan Falls back up to the public. More Info Here. Since then, the popular swimming hole has once again been closed. As of January 2019, access to the river at Stotan Falls is closed to the public until further notice.
Stotan Falls
Stotan Falls
Stotan falls was a terrific place for a refreshing dip in a pot hole, or in some of the slower moving rapids. For the adventurous ones, there are some great falls to jump from. Currently Stotan Falls owner, 3L Development has closed access to the public, so don’t plan on adventuring out that way any time soon.
Stotan falls was generally a safe place to swim; however, higher water levels could pose a danger from time to time. Often there would be posted warnings regarding water levels when you should stay out of the river.
Some of the faster moving waters, specifically around the falls can be dangerous for young and weaker swimmers. That said, there were plenty of safe areas and potholes for users of all ages.
Location
To get to Stotan falls, head up lake trail road in West Courtenay and turn right on the Comox Logging Road. Stay on the logging road, veering right when you reach the industrial area. A short drive further you will come across the water pipeline followed by another bridge. That bridge is currently close as is the river-way beneath. This part of the Puntledge River is Stotan falls.
Other Popular Beaches
Was the best place for a swim in the valley. Now I just witnessed a guy working for the owners if of the property jacking 13 year old kids for 5 bucks a swim.
Sounds like it’s private property owned by 3L Developements. How much would you charge to let people come and play in your backyard?
The streams and rivers of this country belong to the people, it is criminal behaviour to block access to nature … free the beauty that is ours!!!
There must be a billionaire on Vancouver Island, someone can contact to purchase this entire area, and once again open it to the public. We need our sanctuary given back to us. I plead for anyone to help bring back our swimming holes.
is Stotan Falls is Open?
At this point in time, no, it is still closed.
Can it become a public park. Its the best ! Whole town loved it.
People have been swimming there with there family its such a beautiful place to go with family and friends and there kids , I feel it should be open to the public all year round just because they bought the land for making more housing it should be open to public I think its so wrong to close it
I can’t believe the falls are closed.I grew up there in the 70s and 8os.must have swam there a HUNDRED times. Rise Up all you fellow valley people. Don’t let this happen. The river is yours. If i still lived there we’d rise up.No one can take that river away from you. Fight, its your right.
U have to pay now?
Pay to enjoy nature? Come on…
Let me charge you for the sunshine too while you’re at it.
Are dogs allowed at the river with its family?
Yes, I believe dogs are permitted.
Yes
I am really hoping to take my kids here this summer. I grew up swimming here every year and it is a special place. Will they be open this summer 2022?
Are dogs allowed?
Bizarre that this has become such a “business opportunity”, not only charging for a family, but their car too. So…if two couples come in one car, is it $20 plus parking??!!
no more charges as of late May. wonder where the money was going to? certainly not to improve nature.
Hi when will this be open again?
Currently there is no word on when, if ever, 3L will ever open the falls back up to the public. Not to say it won’t or can’t happen, but I would not expect this to occur any time soon.
Is it open now no charge
It is open and there is no charge this year. It is fantastic there.
Are dog’s allowed here?
I believe so, yes.
Free to swim there. It’s our river, not the developers. This part of the River is owned by a developer who wants to drop 1100 homes on two rivers and put up a parking lot. The land was gifted to a colonial baron, Lord Dunsmuir. He owned the railway and has streets named after him all over BC. But make no mistake this is the river of the K’omoks people who have lived here longer than Mr Dunsmuir or the Duke who currently owns it. Don’t believe the hype, they are not ‘generously donating’ a free park. It’s a scam so that Developer 3L can make a profit off the housing crisis and destroy 2 salmon bearing rivers at the same time. Anything to make a profit, including sacrificing the rivers from which we get our drinking water. You can not own water or rivers. Mayor Jangula-your time has come. The people of the Komoks valley have had enough of your old boy’s club. Stoten for the WILD and FREE!!!!
Is it difficult to walk to the falls Once parked?
I have a bad ankle/leg and can’t walk long trails or hard areas? Looks amazing!!!
You may find it difficult. The walk is very short, but the vast majority of it will be over rocks with shallow yet fast flowing water. Many of these rocks are covered in algae which can be extremely slippery. In addition you have to carefully watch for potholes that are not easily spotted especially in shady spots. They can present a tripping hazard.
If you visit these falls you should be good on your feet and use extreme caution.
Beautiful at Stoughton Falls but be careful very slippery as I was jumping from the rocks at The Falls level and received two compound fractures to my arm from slipping down the face of the Rock into the water being in a cast for almost 2 months now.
Spring is here and the road is closed. Fair enough. I don’t want to encourage my kids to trespass where the owner clearly doesn’t want people cutting through his yard. So that begs the question – how feasible is it to park at Nymph Falls, walk down the Twister Trail and then tube/wade down the river to Stotan? Is the river easy going? It looks like it’s less than 1km on google maps.
You could likely do that – I am not entirely sure about how long it would take – but 3L Developments also owns the riverbed – so ALL of stotan falls is their property and would be trespassing.
Nonsense. You can’t own inland rivers or waterways in Canada. Don’t believe anyone that tells you otherwise.
This may be true today, however they are grandfathered in and do in fact own it.
They are not grandfathered in. The law reads as follows: 3 (1) Any resident of the Province shall have the right to go on foot along the banks of any river, stream or lake, upon and across any uncultivated lands and Crown lands, whether or not the rights to that land have been leased, for the purpose of:
(a) lawfully fishing with rod and line in such rivers, streams or lakes;
(b) lawfully walking, hiking, or roaming as recreation.
In my opinion they should not have ownership rights to the river. But the reality is they do.
If I recall correctly, this goes back to ownership rights granted by the Government in connection to the building of the railway decades ago. Ownership was given to the Dunsmuirs. TimberWest eventually took ownership, and then ultimately 3L.
If I am mistaken, please provide a source. I understand the law, currently in BC, does not allow ownership, but there are exceptions that predate that law.
I am heartbroken about this precious area being developed. It must be protected for all the wildlife ie: bears, cougars, salmon, eagles, owls, squirrels and of course for us. I have swam here for 40 years. It was once a secret swimming spot. Seriously heartbroken if development goes through in this amazing forested area!
Can the community come together and sue 3L or provide alternate access to this swimming spot? My family has been going there for decades, my parents first kiss was there. To have some greedy company steal this away from the community is heartbreaking…there was access and 3L took it away – seems like access was “grandfathered” in too.
One of the best experiences that we had when visiting Vancouver Island (twice) was going swimming here. As UK residents who hope to visit again, (post-Covid) we were absolutely horrified that this has been allowed to happen. We don’t understand the local politics but to us, it seems criminal that such a fantastic local resource is denied to the public. Somewhere like this is there to be appreciated. Shame on whoever was responsible for this!
(Dave & Jocelyn Hanson, Hull UK)
I grew up in the valley in the 70s and 80s, been back a while ago. That river is yours, mine. Don’t let any one stop you. I can’t believe anyone would take it away from us. Time to fight. That whole darn river is ours, no one else’s. Rise up, fight. Mobilize.! If i was 20 or 30 years younger id go lookin for confrontation, it is a part of me, my life,yours. Don’t let anyone tell you anything different. I feel like I was born there, who can take that away from me?
Why was my message taken down? If you don’t show respect to those that rule you don’t have a say , bs.
No messages were taken down.
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Just got kicked out by the new “owners” Bird Construction security. Walked down the river for a view of the falls from below. Very upsetting that this is private property for the rich and famous, is that infamy of the colonial empire.
Rivers and their access should remain public, this is a crime scene.