Adjacent to the park is the Sooke River, where there exists a series of deep, naturally carved and polished rock pools and a small parking area with facilities that is managed by the District of Sooke. This area is a favourite day-use destination for many local and regional residents.
Glacial action during the last ice age 15,000 years ago is responsible for the formations, as the moving, melting ice packs stripped the surface area and carved a path deep into the natural bedrock. Huge boulders carried along by the rushing river became lodged, were swirled against the canyon walls and consequently carved out the potholes that can be seen today.
The nearby Sooke River (not within the park) is an important coho and chinook salmon spawning river, and opportunities exist for catch and release fishing. Sooke Potholes Provincial Park provides an ideal location to view the annual salmon spawning run.
Park Size: 7.28 hectares Date Established: September 7, 1972