Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites are in Victoria, making them a longer outing to plan from Duncan. The site brings together a 19th-century coastal fortress and the oldest lighthouse on Canada's west coast, with seasonal opening hours and paths across the grounds.
- Location: 603 Fort Rodd Hill Road, Victoria, BC V9C 2W8.
- Historic highlights: Fort Rodd Hill served from 1895 to 1956; Fisgard Lighthouse was built in 1860.
- Hours: The seasonal schedule ranges from 10 am–4 pm to 10 am–5 pm.
- Access: The Welcome Centre is wheelchair accessible, and paved paths run throughout the site.
What do Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse include?
The historic sites include a 19th-century artillery fortress, coastal defence buildings and a lighthouse on the shore. Parks Canada describes Fort Rodd Hill as a west coast artillery fortress that was on active duty from 1895 to 1956.
Its grounds contain three coast artillery gun batteries dating to the 1890s, along with related buildings such as barracks and searchlight emplacements. Fisgard Lighthouse, built in 1860, is the oldest lighthouse on Canada's west coast. The combination makes the visit about both coastal defence and lighthouse history.
How do you get from Duncan to Fort Rodd Hill?
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse are in Victoria, but the supplied route information does not give a driving time or distance from Duncan. Use the site address, 603 Fort Rodd Hill Road, Victoria, BC V9C 2W8, when planning your drive.
Allow for a longer outing from Duncan rather than treating the sites as a stop within town. A one-day itinerary for Duncan covers sights in town.
For a Duncan starting point, the three-star Falcon Nest rooms in Duncan are one accommodation option.
What are the hours, admission and seasonal access?
The opening schedule changes by season, and access to the lighthouse and historic buildings is more limited during the colder months. Check the official site before you go.
From May 1 through October 15, the site is open from 10 am to 5 pm, with the lighthouse, historic buildings, grounds and washrooms open seven days a week.
From October 16 through April 30, hours are 10 am to 4 pm. During that period, the lighthouse and historic buildings are open on Saturday and Sunday only; the grounds and washrooms remain open seven days a week.
Admission prices can change, so check Parks Canada's official site for current fees before your visit.
How much time should you allow at the sites?
Your time there will depend on which areas you want to see and which buildings are open on the day you visit.
Check the seasonal schedule first, then plan the visit around access to the lighthouse and historic buildings. In the colder-month schedule, those buildings are open only on weekends, while the grounds are open every day.
What should you know about access and facilities?
The Welcome Centre is wheelchair accessible and has automatic door openers; visitors enter the site there, where the entry kiosk, orientation and an exhibit are located. Four designated accessible parking stalls are available, but none has an access aisle.
Wheelchair-accessible washrooms are near the Welcome Centre in the parking lot and at the lighthouse. Renovated washrooms at the Second World War Officer’s Quarters are also open to the public. A folding manual wheelchair is available to borrow for day use from the Welcome Centre; some terrain may require someone to push it.
Paved paths run throughout the site, while some smaller paths and courtyards have loose gravel, packed gravel or dirt surfaces. Historic doors can be heavy, some buildings have lips up to 10 cm, and underground rooms may only be reached by stairs.
The Historic Nature Trail is 1.8–2.1 m wide, narrowing to 1.1 m at its tightest point; its maximum grade is 14 degrees, and its surface is hard-packed dirt and moderately packed cedar chips.
Parks Canada offers free admission for one escort accompanying and assisting a person with a disability. Registered service animals are welcome in the site and historic buildings; bring Guide Dog and Service Animal Certification.
During spring, algae blooms can cause a foul smell at low tide on the causeway, which may be overwhelming.
For another outing in the area, planning a visit to Falaise Park from Duncan covers a different destination.
FAQs
Where are Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse?
The national historic sites are at 603 Fort Rodd Hill Road, Victoria, BC V9C 2W8.
When is Fisgard Lighthouse open?
It is open daily from May 1 through October 15. From October 16 through April 30, it is open on Saturdays and Sundays.
Is there wheelchair access at the sites?
The Welcome Centre is wheelchair accessible, and paved paths run throughout the site. Some areas have gravel or dirt surfaces, stairs, heavy doors or raised thresholds.