South Island · Cowichan
Spectacle Lake Park
About this Park
Spectacle Lake Park is home to mature forest, lake and wetlands. Located northwest of Victoria, in the Nanaimo Lowlands Ecosection, this park is one of few accessible freshwater lakes that allows fishing, swimming and in the winter, skating.
This park offers day-use opportunities for swimming in a spring-fed lake. Visitors can also fish for eastern brook trout and cutthroat trout, and enjoy an easy hiking trail that winds around the lake for more than two kilometres. Much of this trail system is wheelchair-accessible.
The main trail also unofficially links up to various regional trails outside of the park boundaries. In the winter, Spectacle Lake is one of the first to freeze, supplying a reliable skating site if temperatures are cold enough.
Special notes
- No campfires permitted.
- Pets must be on a leash at all times.
- This park is cooperatively managed by the Cowichan Valley Regional District. Services and facilities may differ from those offered in other BC Parks.
Location notes
Spectacle Lake Park is located 30km north of Victoria just off Highway 1, on southern Vancouver Island. Nearby communities include Victoria, Langford, Mill Bay and Duncan.
Activities
- 154:Hiking An easy 2km, well-maintained hiking trail circles the lake. It has wooden bridges which cross the numerous creeks and marshy area feeding into Spectacle Lake. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
- 154:Canoeing There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking on the lake in this park.
- 154:Fishing This lake offers the only eastern brook trout fishing on Vancouver Island. It is also regularly stocked with cutthroat trout. Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing.
- 154:Swimming Although there are no designated swimming areas at Spectacle Lake, swimming is a popular activity at this park.
- 154:Pets on leash Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
- 154:Winter recreation Spectacle Lake is one of the first to freeze over in winter, supplying a reliable skating site in cold temperatures.
Facilities
- 154:Picnic areas This park has a day-use and picnic area with pit toilets and a boat launch.
- 154:Pit or flush toilets Pit toilets are located at the parking lot.
- 154:Boat launch There is a boat launch at this park.
Location
48.57888, -123.57024 · Cowichan