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Activities Available at this Park
Facilities Available at this Park

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Park Contact

This park proudly operated by:
R.L.C. Enterprize Ltd.
250 474-1336
office@rlcparks.ca
www.rlcparks.ca

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.

Sproat Lake Provincial Park

About This Park

Sproat Lake Provincial Park Fresh water adventure seekers will not want to miss a visit to Sproat Lake Provincial Park in the Alberni Valley on central Vancouver Island. Located 15 minutes west of Port Alberni, Sproat Lake is a favoured location for swimming, fishing, waterskiing and, when the wind is up, windsurfing.

A variety of short access trails lead visitors around this park, including a trail to the eastern end of Sproat Lake, which is home to one of the finest panels of prehistoric petroglyphs in British Columbia. Little is known about this petroglyph, named K’ak’awin, but it isn’t hard to imagine this rock carving as depicting some mystical ancient monsters of the lake.

Two separate campgrounds and a large day-use area make this park a popular destination for campers and picnickers, who come here to enjoy the host of recreational pursuits available or just relax in the sun by the warm lake.

Reservations

All campsite reservations must be made the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first-come, first-served.

Campsite Reservations

Campsite reservations are accepted at this park. If sites are not reserved, then they are available for first-come, first-served camping.

Location

Sproat Lake Provincial Park is located 13 km northwest of Port Alberni on central Vancouver Island. The park sits on the north shore of Sproat Lake, and can be reached via Hwy #4.

Maps and Brochures

Nature and Culture

  • History: Sproat Lake is named after Gilbert Malcolm Sproat, a native of Galloway, Scotland who arrived on Vancouver Island in 1860 with men and equipment to establish a sawmill at the head of the Alberni Canal.

    Sproat was the resident manager of Anderson & Company, Victoria, that exported spars to Europe from Puget Sound and Vancouver Island, a business transferred to southern ports after the end of the US Civil War. As Sproat was a frequent visitor to the west coast of Vancouver Island in connection with his business, he was appointed Principal Customs Officer; his duties included control of the First Nations. Some of his experiences and observations are embodied in his very interesting and now scarce book “Scenes and Studies of Savage Life,” published in London in 1868.

    The park was given to the province in 1966 by MacMillan Bloedel Limited. Before it became a provincial park it was known as Smith’s Landing, after George Smith, who farmed the area.

  • Cultural Heritage: Sproat lake Provincial Park is home to one of the finest panels of prehistoric petroglyphs in British Columbia. Little is known about this petroglyph, named K’ak’awin, but it isn’t hard to imagine this rock carving as depicting some mystical ancient monsters of the lake.

Management Planning

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Canoeing

Canoeing and kayaking opportunities exist at this park. Paddlers can set in at the boat launch or at any accessible point along the lake.
Cycling

Cycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Fishing

Fishing

There are opportunities for fresh water fishing in Sproat Lake. Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations and is subject to closures. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing. Specific closures will be posted in the park. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hiking

Hiking

There are only short access trails in this park. The upper campground is connected to the lower campground and beach access by a trail that leads through a highway underpass. A ½ km trail leads from the main parking lot at the day-use area and along the lake to a small pier at the east end of the park. At the pier, visitors can view the park’s panel of prehistoric petroglyphs, considered one of the finest in British Columbia. Little is known about this petroglyph, named K’ak’awin, but it isn’t hard to imagine this rock carving as depicting some mystical ancient monsters of the 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 and under control at all times and are not allowed in beach areas. 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.
Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving

Sproat Lake offers opportunities for fresh water scuba diving.
Swimming

Swimming

The warm waters of Sproat Lake are ideal for swimming. There are two main swimming areas in the park - near the boat launch in the day-use area and at the lower campground. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Waterskiing

Waterskiing

Waterskiing is a popular activity on Sproat Lake. A boat launch is located near the day-use area.
Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife Viewing

A pleasant walk to the eastern end of Sproat lake will bring visitors to a small pier from which they can view one of the finest panels of prehistoric petroglyphs in British Columbia. Little is known about this petroglyph, named K’ak’awin, but it isn’t hard to imagine this rock carving as depicting some mystical ancient monsters of the lake.
Windsurfing

Windsurfing

When the wind is up, Sproat Lake offers opportunities for windsurfing.

Facilities Available at this Park

Accessibility

Accessibility

Some facilities in the park are wheelchair-accessible.

Boat Launch

Boat Launch

There is a boat launch available at this park. This boat launch is very busy during the summer season.
Campfires

Campfires

While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. Campfire rings are provided at each campsite and in the day-use area. Firewood can be purchased from the Park Operator. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.
Drinking Water

Drinking Water

Cold water taps are located at both campgrounds and the day-use area. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

Annual Drinking Water System Reports:

Picnic Areas

Picnic Areas

This park has a large day-use/picnic area, located next to the lower campground. Three separate picnic sites are conveniently located throughout the day-use area. Facilities include a number of picnic tables set under a canopy of Douglas fir and Western red cedar, fresh water, campfire rings, a large grassy area, pit toilets and 2 flush toilet buildings (one next to the boat launch and one by the lower campground.) The grassy area and beach are also suitable for picnicking, or just lounging in the sun next to the lake.
Pit or Flush Toilets

Pit or Flush Toilets

Pit toilets are located throughout the park and at the upper campground. Flush toilets are located at the day-use area by the boat launch and at the lower campground.

Playground

Playground

The playground is located in the upper campground near campsite 1.
Showers

Showers

There are hot showers at this park. The shower building is located adjacent to the boat launch and next to the lower campground.

Vehicle Accessible Camping

Vehicle Accessible Camping

There are two separate campgrounds with vehicle accessible campsites in this park. The Lower campground is located close to the lake. The Upper campground is located across the highway from the lake and is connected to the lower campground and beach access by a trail that leads through a highway underpass. Campsite reservations are required and first-come, first-served sites are available.

Upper Campground Rates

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $25.00 per party/night
BC Senior’s Rate: $12.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

Lower Campground Rates

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $25.00 per party/night
BC Senior’s Rate: $12.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.
Winter Camping

Winter Camping

This park offers year-round camping with limited facilities during the off-season in the lower campground only.

Lower Campground Rates

Winter Camping Fee: $13.00 per party/night
BC Senior’s Winter Rate: $12.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.