Mill Hill Regional Park

Mill Hill Regional Park is a 70-hectare sanctuary that preserves a diverse timeline of B.C.’s history, ranging from the site of the province’s first sawmill to its legacy as a vital forest fire suppression and research hub.

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Location

Langford & View Royal
Google maps

About

Mill Hill Regional Park is 71.33 hectares and is mostly located in Langford with some of the park located in View Royal.
Mill Hill used to have a forestry watch tower on its summit and the concrete foundation still remains.
While you explore you will find grand fir, big leaf maple, red alder, Garry oak, arbutus, and western red cedar.

The Evolution of Mill Hill

The names Mill Hill and Millstream are direct links to the earliest days of European settlement on Vancouver Island, marking the site of British Columbia’s very first industrial efforts.
The Birth of B.C. Industry
Before it was a park, the area was chosen by the Hudson’s Bay Company for its potential power.
- The First Sawmill: In 1848, the HBC built the first sawmill in British Columbia at Mill Falls. At the time of the initial survey, Millstream was described as a "roaring torrent," providing the power needed to cut lumber for the growing settlement at Fort Victoria.
- Seasonal Struggles: The mill's success was short-lived. The "torrent" of Millstream often slowed to a gentle creek in the summer, making the mill unproductive during the dry months. By 1855, it was replaced by a more reliable steam-powered mill near Craigflower Farm.
A Watering Hole for the British Navy
Long before modern plumbing, Millstream (then known as Rowe Stream) served as a critical freshwater source for the British Royal Navy based in Esquimalt Harbour.
- Barging In: At high tide, water barges would travel up to the falls to fill their tanks.
- Early Engineering: Eventually, a system of flumes was constructed to carry fresh water further downstream into deeper water, making it easier for ships to refuel.
The Scientific Era
After a long period of quiet, Mill Hill became a center for scientific research following WWII. In 1948, the Federal Department of Agriculture built a forest insect rearing facility near the current park entrance. These scientists studied insects to develop biological controls, protecting the very forests the later fire crews would defend.

B.C. Forest Service Fire Suppression Camp

Long before it became a favorite spot for hikers, Mill Hill Regional Park served a critical role in protecting Vancouver Island's forests. From the late 1940s through the 1970s, the hill was home to a major BC Forest Service Fire Suppression Camp and a vital lookout station.
The Watchman on the Hill
At the summit sat the Langford Lookout, a 50-foot wooden-beam tower that provided a bird’s-eye view of the region from Port Renfrew to Mill Bay.
- A Room with a View: The tower featured living quarters on top and was surprisingly well-equipped for the time, featuring power, telephone lines, and vehicle access.
- The Foundation: While the tower was dismantled around 1965, the original foundation is still visible at the summit today.
Life at the Suppression Camp
The camp at the base of the hill was a hive of activity, especially during the dry summer months.
- The Crew: Starting in 1949, the camp hosted crews of roughly 20 men, mostly university students who were trained by Ranger staff in initial fire suppression.
- "Shacky" Quarters: Former staff describe the camp as a collection of white-painted wooden buildings. They were humble structures, often 10x15 feet, with bunk beds and wood stoves.
- Keeping Busy: When they weren't fighting fires, crews maintained the grounds. In a classic bit of "busy work," one foreman famously told the crew that once they finished painting the rocks lining the driveway white, they should "turn them over and paint the underside!"
Fame and Film
Mill Hill even had a brush with the silver screen! In the mid-1960s, the park was a primary location for the Forest Service film Up in Smoke, which documented the use of "Supercanso" air tankers in local firefighting efforts.

From Forest Service to Regional Park
The transition from a working fire station to a public park began in the late 1970s:
- 1976: The provincial government approved a lease to transform Mill Hill into a public park.
- 1980: The old federal residence on the property was renovated to become the CRD Parks' first office.
- 1981: Mill Hill officially became a Regional Park through land purchases and provincial transfers.
- 1997: During the Trans-Canada Highway upgrades, additional land was added to create the vital "green bridge" that connects Mill Hill to Thetis Lake Regional Park.
- 2001: The park grew by another eight hectares, securing the eastern slopes' rocky bluffs and rare Garry oak meadows.
- Conservation note: The federal government holds a covenant on the land to ensure that the sensitive Garry oak ecosystems remain protected for future generations (source & source).

Explore the trails of Mill Hill
Whether you're looking for a quick climb to a 360-degree viewpoint or a quiet wander through rare ecosystems, Mill Hill’s trail network offers a variety of experiences.
- Auburn Trail
  - The Experience: This is the most direct route to the summit. It follows the path of the original fire service road that once led to the lookout tower.
  - The Terrain: A wide, gravel trail that climbs through rocky Garry oak meadows and arbutus groves. Keep an eye out for small paved sections, remnants of its history as a vehicle access road.
  - Highlight: Near the top, you can see glacial striations (scratches in the rock from the ice age) before reaching the summit cairn and the concrete footings of the former fire tower.
- Calypso Trail
  - The Experience: Named after the delicate Calypso Orchid (fairyslipper) that blooms along the path in spring, this trail offers a more rugged, forested alternative to the Auburn Trail.
  - The Terrain: This trail is divided into sections. The lower portion wanders through a cool floodplain of Douglas-fir, cedar, and grand fir. The upper section is steeper with well-placed steps, winding down the northeast side of the hill.
  - Highlight: It provides an excellent loop option when paired with the Auburn Trail and offers "peek-a-boo" views of the surrounding mountains and highway corridor.
- Millwoods Trail
  - The Experience: A shorter, scenic connector trail that branches off the Auburn Trail.
  - The Terrain: This path stays lower on the hillside, meandering through the dense woodland. It is perfect for those who want to enjoy the forest canopy without committing to the full summit climb.
  - Highlight: It provides a peaceful "forest bath" experience, showcasing the Douglas-fir ecosystem that the fire suppression crews worked so hard to protect.
Trail Tips for Your Visit:
- The Loop: Most hikers recommend taking the Auburn Trail up (easier footing for the climb) and the Calypso Trail down to enjoy the forest shade on the descent.
- The Views: From the summit (203m), you can see the Olympic Mountains, Esquimalt Harbour, and even Mount Baker on a clear day.
- Flora: If you visit between April and July, the meadows are "ablaze" with wildflowers, including Camas, White Fawn Lilies, and Tiger Lilies (source & source & source).

Today, Mill Hill serves as a protected corridor into Thetis Lake Regional Park, standing as a monument to the first lumber mill in British Columbia and the generations of "fire-watchers" who protected the landscape.

Lands

Xwsepsum (Esquimalt), Lekwungen (Songhees), Sc'ianew (Beecher Bay), and the W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples represented by the Tsartlip, Pauquachin, Tsawout, Tseycum, and Malahat Nations

Amenities