Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites
603 Fort Rodd Hill Road, Victoria, British Colombia
West coast Canada’s oldest lighthouse watches over ships in the Juan de Fuca Strait at this pair of historic sites near Victoria, British Columbia. Gun batteries, concrete walls, and other fortifications comprise the defense system of Fort Rodd Hill, an artillery fort that’s a prime example of 19th-century military engineering.
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites share a single, strategic location on the edge of Juan de Fuca Strait, making it easy to explore both in a single visit. A Welcome Centre provides site maps and kid-friendly Xplorers’ Booklets while audio guides are available for rent. During the summers, costumed interpreters lead tours, with opportunities to learn about lighthouse chores, military life, Second World War–era medicine, and other history.
The Welcome Centre, toilets, and parking lot are wheelchair accessible, as are some portions of Fort Rodd Hill; a downloadable tour guides visitors to accessible areas and trails.
A folding, manual wheelchair is available for use and can be borrowed at the Welcome Centre.
Accessibility at the Fisgard Lighthouse is limited.
Camping is available onsite in A-frame tents—reservations are essential.
The entrance to the historic sites is on Fort Rodd Hill Road, about 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) from downtown Victoria. Coming via public transit requires some longer walks, but it’s possible. From downtown, take the BC Transit Blink RapidBus Line 95 to Colwood Exchange. Then, continue via Route 43 to the intersection of Belmont at Lascelles. From there, it is a 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) walk to the Welcome Centre.
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites are open year-round, but hours vary with season. From May through mid-October, the entire site is open seven days a week. In the quieter season, from mid-October through the end of April, the lighthouse and historic buildings open only on the weekends. The grounds are open daily, regardless of season.
British Columbia’s charismatic capital is history-rich, with opportunities to explore that go from grandiose homes to the house of government. The 39-room Craigdarroch Castle is packed with antique furnishings and stained glass. Copper domes and turrets make the British Columbia Parliament Buildings an imposing sight near the Inner Harbour; walking distance away is the Old Victoria Customs House, a National Historic Site that preserves the city’s bustling commercial past.
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