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Nymph Falls Park: Vancouver Island's Gem Your Family Won't Want to Miss!

Explore the Nymph Falls Nature Park near Courtenay, North Vancouver Island, BC: hike many forest trails, and be sure to take a dip in those stunning waterfall pools! 

Located within Comox Valley and near the towns of Courtenay and Cumberland, Nymph Falls Nature Park got a firm place on our list of Top things to do when traveling through the Northern part of Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. This stunning, easily accessible, kids-friendly nature attraction will win your heart from the moment you step your foot into one of Puntledge River’s swimming holes and is Insta-perfect for any photography enthusiast. In this post: Nymph Falls travel notes, visit tips, and tons of photos!

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Nymph Falls Nature Park 

A truly unique kids-friendly nature attraction, you can find Nymph Falls right in the middle of Vancouver Island, near the town of Courtenay in Comox Valley British Columbia. 

Comox Lake waters flow towards the ocean and enter the Strait of Georgia via Puntledge River – a wide and shallow stream of water. Nymph Falls are located right there and are surrounded by Nymph Falls Nature Park – 61 hectares (151 acres) of second-growth forest spread across the North shore of Puntledge River.

Hiking trails at Nymph Falls Nature Park in Comox Valley are maintained in large part through the efforts of volunteers from the Plateau Road Residents Association.

Nymph Falls got a firm place on our list of Top things to do when traveling through the Northern part of Vancouver Island, BC.

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How to Get To Nymph Falls and Puntledge River Pools?

Address: 4481 Forbidden Plateau Road, Comox-Strathcona C V9J1R2, BC near Courtenay, Comox Valley

Driving time (locations on Vancouver Island only):

• Victoria to Nymph Falls Nature Park: 3 hours
• Nanaimo to Nymph Falls Nature Park: 1 hour 20 min
• Courtenay to Nymph Falls Nature Park: 15 min
• Cumberland, BC to Nymph Falls Nature Park: 15 min
• Campbell River to Nymph Falls Nature Park: 30 min
• Port Hardy to Nymph Falls Nature Park: 3 hours

The trailhead to Nymph Falls hike starts right off the parking lot. The hike to the main Puntledge River bedrock ledges swimming holes area near Nymph Falls is about 0.5 miles.

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Parking

There is a small parking lot next to the Nymph Falls hike trailhead, for about three dozen vehicles. Once the parking lot is full, visitors typically park along the Southside of Forbidden Plateau Road. No Parking on North Side Forbidden Plateau Road. 

Nature portable toilet outhouses are available just next to the parking lot. There is no food for purchase, and no water, nor are there any garbage bins. Bring snacks and drinking water with you, and pack out everything you packed in of course – Leave No Trace principles do apply everywhere in British Columbia and the World.

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Summer Travel, Activities and Hiking at Nymph Falls Nature Park, Courtenay, BC

Nymph Falls Nature Park has multi-use, hike-only, and bike-only trails. Multi-use trails can also be used by horses. 

DOWNLOAD Complete Nymph Falls Hiking Trails Map

More advanced mountain bike trails are also available and are noted in red on the map referenced above from the Comox Valley Regional District website. Some of those trails include technical features and obstacles.

The trailhead to Nymph Falls swimming holes starts right off the parking lot and is a multi-use trail of about 500 meters, and is fully accessible by wheelchairs and strollers alike.

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Swimming in Puntledge River and Nymph Falls’ Pools

Yes! Yes, you can swim in one of many Puntledge River pools near Nymph Falls. In fact, I dare you not to! Be cautious, however. 

Swimming in the Puntledge River is unsupervised. Although the waters are shallow, there are some nasty rapids. You sure want to keep your kids close while swimming in Nymph Falls river pools. Life jackets for kids are strongly recommended when entering the river. 

Rocks along the river shore are slippery when wet. Some also have sharp edges. We recommend water shoes for both adults and kids. 

Puntledge River connects Comox lake with the ocean. Hence at times, the water levels can increase rapidly. Thankfully the water levels are monitored, and there is a siren alarm system in place.

A siren or strobe lights indicate water flow in the river is about to become faster and higher. Get out of the water immediately if either is activated.

NYMPH FALLS SWIMMING SAFETY TIPS: Wear water shoes, get kids into life jackets and watch for sirens and alarms.

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FAQ and Tips Visiting Nymph Falls in the Summer

Are dogs allowed at Nymph Falls Nature Park?

Yes. Dogs are allowed at Nymph Falls Nature Park. While the leash is optional, we recommend getting your dogs leashed when near the Falls for both: your dog’s safety and the safety of many little kids swimming in Nymph Falls pools. Although the water is shallow, there are many deep “holes” pools with sudden depth drops, and Puntledge River’s rapids are very uneven. 

You’ll also find dog bag dispensers all along Nymph Falls Park trails. 

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Is Nymph Falls Hiking Trail Accessible or Stroller-Friendly?

Yes, the trails all around Nymph Falls Nature Park are wheelchair-accessible and stroller-friendly hikes. To get to the water and access swimming holes, however, is a short downhill or a flight of stairs. You can park your stroller along the trail though if you are comfortable doing so.

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Are Recreational Drones Allowed at Nymph Falls Nature Park?

No. Most of the Comox Valley is a no-drone zone. 

“For drones that weigh more than 250 grams and up to 35 kilograms, some of the regulations include that they must be flown to a maximum of 90 meters above the ground, only during the day, not in clouds, within 500m of the operator and at least 5.5 km from aerodromes (any airport, seaplane base or areas where aircraft take-off and land). Due to the latter regulation, it is essentially illegal to fly a drone within the Comox Valley. Due to Smith Field off Forbidden Plateau Road, the Courtenay Airpark and the Comox Airport, recreational drones are forbidden to be flown anywhere between Union Bay and Saratoga Beach, or anywhere east of Comox Lake.”

by Erin Haluschak, Comox Valley Record

Hence: recreational drones are off-limits over Nymph Falls. If flown in a restricted area without permission, users can be fined.

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How to Get Kids Engaged?

Some parents, while active eager hikers themselves, may find it challenging to engage and interest their kids in outdoor activities. Not to worry, let us help you: Five Tried-And-True Outdoor Activities To Get Kids to Absolutely Love Hiking

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More Personal Notes and Photos

To be honest, we were skeptical at first. Nymph Falls seemed to be a “popsa” place, and we thought it would be a quick stop just to snap a photo. Man, we were so wrong!

Yes, we snapped a photo, actually a gazillion photos. And then quickly got back to the car, changed into our swimming gear, and returned to have a refreshing dip in Puntledge River swimming holes. 

Here is what photography and videography equipment we use

check out our online professional portfolio

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Overall we’ve spent a good 3 hours in this awesome Vancouver Island location, swimming sunbathing, and having fun! If you visit Nymph Falls in the summer, do not forget your natural no-chemical sunscreen for sun protection.

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Concluding Notes

Beautiful Place! Simply stunning! Nymph Falls came as an unexpected discovery on our Vancouver Island North road trip in summer 2021. We DO recommend everyone to stop by, especially if you have little kids. Who needs to go to a water park when you have the entire wilderness at your disposal?!

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Enjoy!

Cheerfully yours,

Alexandra, Alex & Cosmos

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