The simplest way from Ladysmith to Stocking Creek Park is by car or taxi. Ladysmith and the park are both on the east coast of Vancouver Island, so the trip is a road one, and a map app will give you a live drive time for your start point. Transit is possible in parts, so check it before you rely on it.
Driving or taking a taxi
Enter Stocking Creek Park in your map app and follow its route from wherever you start in Ladysmith. The app shows current traffic, and that matters more than any fixed estimate. Before you leave, check the park page on the local government website for parking details, hours and any trail closures, because those are set locally and can change.
A taxi suits a trip with gear or with children, since the driver can drop you close to the park access. The Nanaimo taxi page is a useful starting point for operators serving the area, and the taxi fare estimator gives a rough fare before you book. Settle the return pickup before you start walking.
Looking at BC Transit options
BC Transit runs buses in the Ladysmith and Nanaimo area, and some trips may need a change at a hub. Open the BC Transit trip planner, enter your address and the park, and read the full itinerary, including the walk at the end and the last bus back. If the planner shows long waits or several transfers, a taxi for the whole trip may be easier than a mixed one.
Parking and timing at the park
Small trail parks often have limited parking, so go early on weekends and holidays and park only where signs allow it. Do not leave a car on a roadside or in front of a residential driveway, since tickets and towing are possible in places like that. If the lot is full, look for a legal space a short walk away or come back later in the day.
Wear shoes with grip and carry water. Trails near creeks can be wet and slippery after rain.