Little Huson Caves Guide, North Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island has the highest concentration of caves in North America and Little Huson Caves is one of the best (and most accessible) examples.

This regional park offers the chance to explore a beautifully eroded canyon, with a turquoise coloured river, intricate rock formations and a spectacular cathedral-like cave entrance.

Best of all, entry is free and the main cave area is only 350m from the parking area (about 10 minutes walk or less)!

A fast running river leads into a large cave opening, with rocks in the middle of the water, moss at the top of the cave opening and overhanging trees. There is a man standing on the left hand size to demonstrate how big the cave is
The star of Little Huson Caves – the Cathedral River Cave

For all these reasons, Little Huson Caves is one of my all time favourite places to go on North Vancouver Island. We’ve been a few times over the years, with our most recent trip in August 2024.

JR and I used to live on the Island and visit at least once or twice a year. It’s definitely a second home to us!

In this guide, I’ll share a little about the topography of the park, an overview of the hiking trail with a map, detailed driving directions and ideas for other things to do nearby.

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Interior cave view at Little Huson Caves, with river running through large cathedral cave. Trees frame the exit of the cave
View from inside the Cathedral River Cave

An introduction to Little Huson Caves

Little Huson Caves Regional Park is situated just off Highway 19 on North Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This is the traditional territory of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw.

The park protects a section of Atluck Creek, which connects Huson Lake and Anutz Lake. Located on the 300m deep and limestone rich Quatsino Formation, the running water has shaped the landscape over millions of years, forming a complex network of caves, underground streams, and sinkholes.

This is an example of karst topography. The Quatsino Formation is the reason that North Vancouver Island, is a hotspot for cave systems. The Island, in general, has a lot of karst – almost 4% of its total area!

Close up of 'karst formation and features' disagram featuring limeston erosion diagram with disappearing stream, spring, cave, volcanic rock
Karst formation and features, from Little Huson Caves information kiosk

The park contains around 15 different caves, with both vertical and horizontal entrances. The main hiking trail leads to the Cathedral River Cave, which is the most accessible of them all.

The lake and caves were named by Alden Westley Huson, a 19th century gold prospector. In some records, the caves are referred to as ‘Hustan’ rather than Huson.

Looking upstream at Little Huson Caves, with eroded wall of rock on right and rushing river in middle, moss covered rocks on left
Looking upstream at Little Huson Caves

Despite being accessible only via unpaved roads, Little Huson Caves is also pretty popular. On our last visit, we had the park all to ourselves on a weekday morning in late August. The parking lot had a few more vehicles in it when we left at 11am.

Essential details

  • Free to visit and open all year round
  • 160km from Campbell River, 54km from Port McNeill
  • 20 minutes drive (one way) from nearest Highway 19 junction, on unpaved roads
  • 720m return hike to viewing platform and main cave area (easy difficulty)
  • Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour to explore
  • Particularly busy on weekends (avoid if you can)
  • Use plenty of caution around the edge of the river and in cave areas
  • Leave No Trace – pack out everything you bring with you
A man stands underneath wave shaped rock erosion at Little Huson Caves
This rock has been naturally eroded into a wave shape by the river

Little Huson Caves hiking trail

There is one main hiking trail in the park, which splits towards the end. The trailhead is located between the information kiosk and the outhouse. Rated as easy difficulty, it’s more of a short walking trail really.

Follow the dirt path slightly uphill through the second growth forest – the surface is mostly level with the exception of some exposed tree roots. The surrounding forest floor is covered in ferns, fallen leaves and moss.

Start of the main hiking trail at Little Huson Caves with dirt path snaking through forest of small trees
Main hiking trail at Little Huson Caves

Stick to the main, well used path. There are some other faint trails that lead off to the left. These are unmaintained – if you do want to explore them, I’d recommend doing so on the way back.

The trail heads slightly downhill and becomes a little rocky. Here, the path splits with the main route to the left and a side trail to the right.

A wooden staircase leads to a wooden platform, with moss covered rocks on either side, forest in background. One of the steps is missingot
Staircase leading to platform – note missing step

First viewpoint

The right hand trail leads to a viewing platform, via some broken boardwalk and stairs (80m return).

The stairs were missing several rungs on our last visit (above). The wooden surface of the boardwalk and stairs can be slippery as well.

The platform offers a view of Atluck Creek streaming out of a cave. The water has a turquoise tint. The view is pretty obscured by foliage (including a fallen tree).

Looking down into river with cave entrance on right. A fallen tree with root systems is located at the cave entrance
First viewpoint looking at northeast cave entrance

Main viewing area with the Cathedral River Cave entrance

Return to the main trail and head down several sets of stairs. These are in better condition than the other stairs.

At the bottom, there is a cave opening to the right. It is possible to venture into the entrance with some caution and a headlamp. The floor can be very dirty and slippery in places. Unless you’re an experienced caver, I wouldn’t recommend going further than a few metres.

A set of wooden stairs arrives on the forest floor from the right. There is a horizontal cave entrance on left, with the rock above covered in moss
Cave opening next to trail (before main viewing area)

The main Little Huson Caves viewing area is just around the corner. Walk over a couple of rocks to reach the edge of the Atluck River and the main canyon viewing area.

It is very beautiful here, with the turquoise river rushing through many eroded rock formations. The spectacular Cathedral River Cave entrance is on the left. This is the other side of the cave seen from the first viewpoint.

Looking towards large horizontally sloping cave entrance with turquoise in front, rocks on left and right. A tree is sprouting from the rock on the left
Southwest entrance to the Cathedral River Cave

Cathedral River Cave

To get a closer look at the Cathedral River Cave, carefully follow the rocky shoreline of the river. Look out for the heavily eroded rock overhang that looks like a wave.

When water levels are lower (late summer), it is possible to go inside the entrance of the cave. The first part is quite light as the cave access is so big.

Side view of the Cathedral River Cave, with large horizontal entrance at top of photo, rushing turquoise/clear river below and scattered rocks. The other entrance to the cave is visible
Side view of the Cathedral River Cave – note that the other entrance is visible from this angle

Note the ripple-like formations on some of the cave walls – they look almost like fish scales (photo below)! It is possible to see all the way through to the other side of the cave from here.

The cave floor is very sloped in places and can also be wet and slippery. Use lots of caution!

Close up of ripple erosion on cave walls, which also looks like layers of fish scales
Ripple erosion on cave walls

There are some deep pools in the cave, which are popular for swimming on hot days. It was still pretty cool (14c) on the morning we visited in late August so we didn’t go in.

The route back to the parking lot is via the same trail.

The faint unmaintained trails close to the parking lot lead to a couple of different outlooks – one to a collapsed rock arch with views of the log jam in the river and the other to some small cave entrances. I wouldn’t say that either are a must see but may be interesting if you really like karst features.

Looking out from viewpoint towards log jam in river below, surrounded by trees
Log jam view from the collapsed arch area

Little Huson Caves map

The following map is displayed in the parking lot at Little Huson Caves. Alternatively, check out the PDF map on the Regional District of Mount Waddington’s website.

Check out how many cave entrances there are in the area! Also note the unbroken line for the developed trails and the dotted line for the unmaintained ones.

Close up of Little Huson Caves map from information kiosk in parking lot. It shows the main trail, unmaintained trails, and more than 15 different cave entrances
Little Huson Caves map

Directions to Little Huson Caves

Little Huson Caves is located 10km from Highway 19. The park is accessible via unpaved industrial (logging) roads only. I will share detailed directions below.

I would recommend downloading the Organic Maps app for navigation – it features all of the relevant roads and works offline if you download the relevant map area in advance.

I also love the Vancouver Island edition of the Backroad Mapbook series. Not only useful for navigating to Little Huson, you can also use it to find free campsites and other great hiking trails in the area. If you’re looking to get off the beaten path on Vancouver Island, it is a must buy.

Vehicle view of white Little Huson Caves Regional Park sign (4.4km) set into tree next to unpaved road
Some of the signs are very easy to spot – some of them are completely surrounded by trees, like this one

On our last visit, there were Little Huson Caves signs at every important junction. See the above photo for an example of what they look like. Some were easier to spot than others due to the foliage around the signs.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • There is no phone signal in this area, even on Highway 19
  • Check your spare tire and make sure you know how to replace it
  • Industrial vehicles have right of way
  • Drive with headlights on
  • The road is suitable for most 2WD vehicles, though the last section is narrow and rougher
  • Prepare to drive slowly
  • Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back/in contact again

The first section of the drive to the Little Huson Caves parking lot features wide, well maintained unpaved roads. Atluck Forest Service Road is narrower but is usually in decent condition.

The final 3km of the drive, after the Tlakwa Main junction, is narrower with a less smooth surface (some rocks, loose gravel, occasional potholes). I would not personally want to drive a large RV along this road, but your own comfort levels may vary. See below photo for an example of what it looks like.

Vehicle view of narrow unpaved road on the way to Little Huson Caves. The road is surrounded by ferns and forest
The last 3km is narrow like this – the rest is double the width (sometimes triple) with a less rocky surface

Detailed directions

  • Exit Highway 19 at the Zeballos junction, 150km north of Campbell River
  • Follow the Zeballos Mainline as it first parallels the highway and then veers left
  • Continue on the Zeballos Mainline for 2.8km, ignoring the Nimpkish Main junction that appears on the right
  • The road crosses a bridge above the Nimpkish River
  • Stay right at the fork to continue on the Zeballos Mainline and towards Zeballos
  • Continue for 350m and then turn right onto Atluck Forest Service Road
  • Continue on Atluck FSR for 2.7km
  • Turn left at the junction to stay on the Atluck FSR, also referred to as Atluck Relocation Road
  • Continue for 1.8km
  • Keep left at the junction to stay on the Atluck FSR – the road to the right is Tlakwa Main
  • Continue for 350m
  • Turn right onto HU100
  • Continue for 2.3km to arrive at the Little Huson Caves parking lot

The parking lot has space for around 6-7 smaller vehicles. Be sure to park your car carefully to leave space for other people and to avoid blocking the road (it continues to Huson Lake).

There is an outhouse, log book and information kiosk in the parking area. While there is a trash bin as well, I would not recommend using it as I don’t believe it would be emptied very often. Pack out everything with you instead!

Little Huson Caves parking area with four parked vehicles on left, surrounded by forest
Little Huson Caves parking area

Other things to do near Little Huson Caves

Here’s some examples of other places and activities you could combine with a trip to Little Huson Caves:

  • Go camping Anutz Lake and Atluck Lake both have free Recreation Sites (basic facilities, sites allocated first come first serve). Of the two, I’d recommend Atluck for being more picturesque
  • Woss Heritage Park – Until 2017, the small community of Woss was the headquarters of the last operating logging railroad in all of North America. The star of this outdoor heritage area is the Western Forest Products’ Steam Locomotive #113
  • Port McNeill – This coastal town is the closest to Little Huson Caves (45 minutes drive). The waterfront area has great views and an awesome local brewery. Port McNeill is a good place to be based when exploring this area (if not camping)
  • Telegraph Cove – Former fishing and cannery village with brightly coloured heritage buildings connected by a wooden boardwalk. Part of the village was destroyed by fire in early 2025 but it looks like some areas will be open by summer
  • Whale watching tour – Orcas and humpback whales (plus sea otters, porpoises, seals and more) are prevalent in Blackfish Sound and Johnstone Strait. Join a whale watching tour from Port McNeill or Telegraph Cove
  • Guided kayaking adventure – For a more active ocean experience, consider a half day kayaking adventure instead. Compared to a Zodiac or boat tour, you’ll get a better insight into the intricacies of the intertidal zone and see smaller creatures and plants (and hopefully some bigger wildlife sightings too!)
  • Day trip to Sointula or Alert Bay – Take a short ferry ride from Port McNeill to explore two culturally rich islands. Natural beauty and wildlife sightings abound on both. Sointula has a beautiful coastal campground and Alert Bay is home to the immersive U’mista Cultural Centre

For more activity ideas or inspiration for planning a North Vancouver Island vacation, head to our Campbell River to Port Hardy road trip guide.

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