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Sitting lady falls in winter

Witty’s Lagoon

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Activity:
Beach, Waterfall
Difficulty:
Easy-Moderate
Location:
Metchosin
Time:
1hr +
Distance:
3km (1.9mi)

Activity:

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Beach Icon
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Accessibility:

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Highlights Include:

Info Map

Witty's Lagoon - 3 reasons why it should be on your list

Where to this weekend, Vancouver Island: 3 things to Expect When Visiting Witty's Lagoon and Sitting Lady Falls

Discover Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park in Metchosin. This 56-hectare park boasts flowing creeks, a salt marsh, waterfalls, and a sandy beach, as well as kilometres of well-marked trails for an unforgettable experience.

Take a quick stroll to Sitting Lady Falls or plan a 1.2km walk down to the beach. For the more adventurous, take the time to explore the many trails on both sides of the lagoon.

#1 Hike Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park

The park is large and divided into Witty’s Lagoon and Tower Point. Both are great places to enjoy.

Witty’s Lagoon:

Whitty’s Lagoon is a tidal lagoon surrounded by CRD Parkland. Freshwater feeds into the lagoon from Sitting Lady Falls at the end of Bilton Creek.

The regional park is brimming with areas to explore, including trails, waterfalls, and sandy beaches. Within the first 200 meters, to the right of the path, you will discover the first area to explore. Bilton Creek has an old levee that has created rapids and small waterfalls.

Follow the trail down across the bridge, here there is a lookout spot from the top of the waterfall. During the summer months, it becomes more of a trickle but the view looking down is still impressive, from this point you can also look across the lagoon and see the other view Sitting Lady Falls platform.

The trail continues all the way down to the beach, it does get narrow, involves stairs and can be muddy during the rainy season. AllTrails Map. 

Tower Point:

The Parking access for Tower Point is located on the other side of the Lagoon in a separate parking lot from Witty’s Lagoon.

Tower Point is more accessible for people with disabilities or who have physical challenges, It has large open fields and trails that jet out and wind down to access small sand pocket beaches. Throughout Tower Point Park, you will find an easy, wide path perfect for dog walking and enjoying the fresh air.

Wonder over to the furthest point to take in the view of the Juan de Fuca Strait as the harbour seals sunbathe just off of the rocks at Tower Point.

Witty’s Beach is the perfect place to go on a hot summer’s day. During low tide, go out wading through the warm shallow waters, looking over the beautiful Juan de Fuca Strait. Add in Sitting Lady falls and you will find a full day of adventure.

Parking: A busy location and small parking lot, they say it holds 55+ cars but get there early on weekends and during warm weather, not big enough for RVs when busy. There is a bike rack at the main entrance.

Cookies: If visiting on the weekend don’t miss the Crazy Cookie House, a farm stand located next to the parking lot.

Bus: There is a bus stop along Sooke Road for bus numbers 54 and 55. Visit BC Transit for more info.

Amenities: Toilets are located at the parking lot, along the trail and at the beach. No running water.

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#2 Sitting Lady Falls

Finding the waterfall is a fairly short walk from the parking lot. Head down the trail and make a left before the bridge. Follow the signs on the trail, as the hike in and out is less than 1km.

You will come to the outdoor teaching shelter. Stay right. There is a sign and a short trail that will lead you straight to a platform overlooking a tranquil cove where the creek flows down 20 meters of volcanic rock, creating the beautiful Sitting Lady Falls.

Sitting lady falls in winter
Sitting Lady in Winter

Your experience will differ depending on the time of year you are visiting. As the summer comes to an end, the water starts to dry up, and the waterfall becomes just a trickle. After the rain starts in the fall and winter months, you will find a raging waterfall.

After enjoying your time at the waterfall, you can continue walking as Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park offers kilometres of trails. Or, if you are ready to check out the beach, head back the way you came and continue down the Witty’s Beach Trail.

As you walk along, you’ll pass over the creek and come upon another lookout, this time at the top of Sitting Lady Falls. One kilometre past the top of the falls the trail will take you to the beach with glimpses of the large salt tidal lagoon. The forest trail continues to weave along the marsh and the woodlands until you come upon the beach.

"Really nice views. It has beautiful blue water and nice and soft sand. Also many sea shells which my kids love collecting/ looking at. Great nature walk to, family favourite beach/ swimming location. Will return every chance I have."

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#3 Witty's Beach

Sandy Beach at Wittys lagoon during low tide with pebbles at low tide. A large root system from a tree that has come ashore during a storm. Juan de Fuca straight and the Olympic Mountians in the back groundJust over one kilometre from the parking lot is Witty’s Beach is a long sandy beach and, depending on the tide, it will have a completely different look and feel. At high tide, you will find yourself hanging out with large driftwood and sharing the small chunks of sand with other visitors.

On the other hand, the water goes way out at low tide, revealing sandy tide pools, shallow waters, and acres of play areas. In the summer, the water is shallow, allowing it to warm up with the sun, making it a popular place to boogie board and get your feet wet. Picnic tables and pit toilets are located at the beach.

During low tide, it is easy to access some of the small but beautiful beach coves along Tower Point Park (the other half of Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park). Take a walk out on the sand, and you’ll find seashells, crabs and other sea life. Take a look out into the distance and notice the lighthouse preached on the small island dwarfed by the Olympic mountains on the other side of the strait.

 

#4 Bonus: Crazy Cookie House

The Crazy Cookie House is a unique farmstand located next to the parking lot of Witty’s Lagoon in Metchosin, this whimsical, charming, custom-built playhouse was turned into a farm stand to house delicious, mouth-watering cookies.

Just behind the wood fence is a magical little garden filled with little characters and charm. The perfect place to grab your post-trail treat for your family outing to Whitty’s Lagoon or Sitting Lady Waterfalls.

 

Trail and waterfall map for Wittys Lagoon. This map shows how to get from the parking lot down to the Beach

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Helpful Links

FAQ:

CAN YOU CAMP HERE?
Being a regional park there is no camping.
IS THE WALK DOWN HARD?
Walking to the waterfall is not very challenging if you want to continue to the beach at times tt can be a little challenging as it does have stairs, and narrows in some places and the walk can feel longer if carrying beach gear. It can be muddy in winter.
IS IT A DOG FRIENDLY BEACH?
Yes, in winter but dogs are not allowed on the beach between June 1 and September 15th.

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Modified: October 4, 2023
Last Visit: September 28, 2023
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Tide and Seasonal Safety:
Changing seasons and tides can have a drastic effect on most locations on Vancouver Island. Please be cautious as the information in this post may vary depending on the time of year and weather. Make sure to check for current weather and tide information before you make your journey!
When visiting the beach, it’s essential to pay attention and stay safe! Please be cautious walking on the shore during high tide. At this time, some areas may not be accessible. Click here for the tides in your area. Be aware of ocean currents before swimming, paddle boarding or kayaking.

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We would like to acknowledge the land we appreciate daily within the 50 First Nations that make up the traditional territories of the Coast Salish, Nuu chah nulth, and Kwakiutl–the first peoples of Vancouver Island .

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