Duncan
Around Duncan
Photo: DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · British Columbia · 47k people
Duncan
Locals say Cowichan Valley · “City of Totems”
Where the river meets the sea and totems stand tall
royal bluegold
Welcome to Duncan, the heart of the Cowichan Valley. Here you'll find a friendly community surrounded by vineyards, forests, and rivers. Take a stroll downtown to see the totem poles, then head out to explore the trails and lakes.
Clubs for Duncan
No clubs for Duncan yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Duncan. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Duncan. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- City of Totems Over 80 totem poles displayed throughout downtown Duncan.
- Chemainus Murals World-famous outdoor murals depicting the town's history.
- Cowichan River Popular for swimming, tubing, and salmon fishing.
- Shawnigan Lake Large lake for boating, swimming, and picnicking.
- Cowichan Bay Scenic fishing village with a boardwalk and artisan shops.
- Mount Tzouhalem Hiking trails with panoramic views of the valley.
- Outdoors Hike Mount Tzouhalem
- Outdoors Float the Cowichan River
- With kids BC Forest Discovery Centre
- With kids Chemainus Murals
- Evenings Chemainus Theatre
- Evenings Duncan pubs
- Locals love Wineries
- Locals love Farmers' markets
Through the year
- Cowichan Exhibition September Annual agricultural fair with rides, animals, and local exhibits.
- Cowichan Valley Wine Festival May Wine tastings, vineyard tours, and food pairings.
- Cowichan Bay Wooden Boat Festival August Wooden boats on display, sailing demonstrations, and maritime fun.
- Shawnigan Lake Regatta July Rowing races and lakeside activities.
- Duncan Christmas Parade December Festive parade through downtown Duncan.
The Cowichan Valley enjoys one of Canada's mildest climates, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Best: May to September
Talk like a local
- “the Valley”
- The Cowichan Valley region
- “up island”
- North on Vancouver Island
- “down island”
- South on Vancouver Island
- “Island time”
- A relaxed, unhurried pace
Getaways
Local flavour
Teams
- Cowichan Valley Capitals BCHL
Also rooting for Vancouver Canucks (NHL), BC Lions (CFL), Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS), Seattle Mariners (MLB)
Eat and drink
- Cowichan Valley cheese Artisanal cheeses from local dairies
- Cowichan Valley wine Vintages from the region's vineyards
- Fresh seafood Salmon and shellfish from Cowichan Bay
Where people go
- Totem poles in Duncan The City of Totems features over 80 totem poles
- Murals in Chemainus The town is famous for its large outdoor murals
- Cowichan River Popular for fishing, swimming, and tubing
- Vineyards and farmers' markets The valley is known for its agricultural bounty
Heritage and traditions
The Cowichan Valley is proud of its rich Indigenous heritage, world-famous totem poles and Cowichan sweaters, and a vibrant agricultural and wine scene that thrives in a mild microclimate.
This time of year in Duncan
- Salmon runs Fall Fall brings spawning salmon to the Cowichan River.
- Fall wine harvest Fall Grape harvest and wine festivals in the autumn.
- Cowichan Valley Art & Studio Tour October Self-guided tour of local artists' studios in October.
Say it like a local: “Quw'utsun” — Duncan (Indigenous name)
Festivals
- Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival July Weekend of bluegrass bands at the exhibition grounds in July.
- Cowichan Valley Art & Studio Tour October Self-guided tour of local artists' studios in October.
- Quw'utsun' Cultural Days June Celebration of Cowichan First Nation heritage with dance, food, and art.
Landmarks with a story
- Kinsol Trestle The largest wooden trestle in the Commonwealth, a railway bridge now part of the Trans Canada Trail.
- Quw'utsun' Cultural Centre Showcases Cowichan history, language, and art, including totem poles and carvings.
Food traditions
- Salmon barbecue Traditional pit-cooked salmon at Indigenous community events.
- Cider tasting Local cideries offer tastings of hard apple and pear cider.
- U-pick berries Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries in summer.
- Fresh oysters Harvested from Cowichan Bay, often served raw or grilled.
- Farm-to-table dining Restaurants highlight local produce, cheese, and wine.
Music and arts
- Cowichan knitting Distinctive sweaters with geometric patterns, originally made by the Cowichan people.
- Totem pole carving The valley is known for its totem poles, especially in Duncan.
- Mural art in Chemainus The town's murals depict local history and are a major attraction.
- Bluegrass and folk music A lively scene with festivals and jam sessions.
A little history
- Since time immemorial Indigenous presence for millennia
- 1800s European settlement
- 1920 Kinsol Trestle built
- Early 20th century Development of Cowichan sweater industry
- 1885 Founding of Duncan
Rivalries
- Capitals vs. Nanaimo Clippers Local BCHL hockey rivalry.
- Capitals vs. Victoria Grizzlies Island hockey showdown.
- Capitals vs. Alberni Valley Bulldogs Another BCHL rivalry.
- Game day Cowichan Valley Capitals hockey
- Game day Shawnigan Lake Regatta
- Outdoors Visit Kinsol Trestle
- Outdoors Hike the Cowichan Valley Trail
- With kids Quw'utsun' Cultural Centre
- With kids Kinsol Trestle
Locals often refer to the region as 'the Valley'. Indigenous place names like Quw'utsun (Duncan) are used alongside English. The accent is typical West Coast Canadian, with a relaxed, friendly tone.
Only here
- Duncan is the 'City of Totems' with the world's largest collection of totem poles.
- The Kinsol Trestle is the largest wooden trestle in the Commonwealth.
- The Cowichan sweater is a distinct style of knitted garment, originally made by the Cowichan people.
- The Cowichan River is a Canadian Heritage River.
New here? A few tips
- Bring rain gear – the valley is lush but rainy, especially in winter.
- Try the local wine and cheese – the region is famous for both.
- Learn about the Cowichan people's culture and history at the Quw'utsun' Cultural Centre.
- Pronounce 'Cowichan' as 'cow-WITCH-an'.
- Explore the farmers' markets for fresh produce and crafts.
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Nearby
Every areaLadysmithBritish ColumbiaA friendly harbour on the edge of the wild.Cowichan ValleyBritish ColumbiaWhere the forest meets the lake.NanaimoBritish ColumbiaIsland life, harbour charmVictoriaBritish ColumbiaWhere the ocean whispers and gardens bloom.San Juan IslandsWashingtonWhere the Salish Sea meets the sky.Central IslandBritish ColumbiaSalt air, old growth, and small-town warmthVancouverBritish ColumbiaWhere the sea meets the skyParksvilleBritish ColumbiaWhere the forest meets the sea, and time slows down.
Duncan. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.