In This Park

Activities Available at this Park
Facilities Available at this Park

On This Page

Fire Restrictions in Effect for this Park
Smoking is prohibited
During a campfire ban, smoking is restricted in all public areas of a park or protected area. Please read this Information Bulletin.

Spectacle Lake

About This Park

Spectacle Lake Provincial Park Spectacle Lake Provincial 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, fishing for Eastern brook trout and Cutthroat trout, and an easy hiking trail that winds around the lake for more than 2 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.

Please note: This park is cooperatively managed by the Cowichan Valley Regional District. Services and facilities may differ from those offered in other BC Parks.

Established Date: November 13, 1963
Park Size: 67 hectares

Know Before You Go

Special Notes

  • No campfires permitted.
  • Pets must be on a leash at all times.

Location and Maps

Please note: Any maps listed are for information only; they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation. Spectacle Lake Provincial Park is located 30 km north of Victoria just off Highway 1, on southern Vancouver Island. Nearby communities include: Victoria, Langford, Mill Bay, Duncan.

Nature and Culture

  • History: The area around Spectacle Lake was logged prior to 1960, and the region has a rich logging history. An old plant logging road to Oliphant Lake passes to the west of the park. Spectacle Lake was also the site of a sawmill in the 1940s, when the lake was dammed and used to boom logs.
  • General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

Management Planning

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Canoeing

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking on the lake in this park.
Fishing

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.

Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Hiking

Hiking

An easy 2 km well-maintained hiking trail circles the lake, with wooden bridges crossing 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.
Pets on Leash

Pets on Leash

Pets/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.
Swimming

Swimming

Although there are no designated swimming areas at Spectacle Lake, swimming is a popular activity at this park. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Winter Recreation

Winter Recreation

Spectacle Lake is one of the first to freeze over in winter, supplying a reliable skating site in cold temperatures.

Facilities Available at this Park

Accessibility

Accessibility

Some facilities in the park are wheelchair-accessible.
Picnic Areas

Picnic Areas

This park has a day-use/picnic area with pit toilets and a boat launch.
Pit or Flush Toilets

Pit or Flush Toilets

Pit toilets are located at the parking lot.