South Island. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Safety information
- Access to this park is by active logging roads. The chance of encountering loaded logging trucks while traveling these roads is highly likely. Logging trucks have the right of way at all times. Drivers should use caution and yield to logging trucks; use pullouts whenever possible.
- There are no campfires allowed in this park at any time.
- Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park. Water collected in the park must be boiled, filtered and treated prior to consumption.
Special notes
- There is no sani-station and dump facilities or boat launch available at this park. The nearest facilities are located at Sproat Lake Park.
- This park operates on a “User Maintained” basis. Services and facilities may differ from those offered in other BC Parks.
Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.
Visit responsibly
Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:
Maps and location
Getting there
Fossli Park is situated on the south side of Stirling Arm on Sproat Lake, west of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. Access is by boat or an approximately 30 minute walk from the Stirling Arm Mainline, a private logging road.
Travel through Port Alberni on the way to Tofino and turn left on the first McCoy Lake Road access. Travel approximately 6.5 km and then turn left on Stirling Arm Drive for about 3 km. Turn left onto Ash Main gravel road for 0.9 km. At the Stirling Arm Mainline intersection turn right and travel 4 km. Just before the bridge you’ll find a pullout where you can park. An old logging road from the parking lot leads to the trail that will take you to Sproat Lake. The closest community is Port Alberni.
Things to do
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.
Although swimming is possible in Sproat Lake, there is no designated swimming area in Fossli Park.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Visitors can canoe or kayak on Sproat Lake via Sproat Lake Park, but there is nowhere to launch within Fossli Park.
There are opportunities for lake fishing at this park. 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 in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash and under control at all times. 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.
Cycling is permitted on roadways only. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Fossli Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
Facilities
A picnic table and pit toilet are located at the lake. A beautiful 30 minute trail leads through second-growth forest to an old homestead site on Sproat Lake. Here visitors can relax on the level grassy area or pebble beach and enjoy the lovely views of Sproat Lake.
About this park
The 130 acres that make up Fossli Park were donated to the province for parkland by Helen and Armour Ford. Helen Ford had inherited the property from her father, who in turn had purchased it from an early settler, Mr. Faber. Mr. Faber had named the area Fossli after a village in Eidfjord, Norway; fossil or fosseli is a Norwegian word meaning “waterfall in the valley”.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.
Contact
| Park operator | This park is operated by RLC Park Services. |
|---|---|
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
