Kennedy Lake Park

Highlights in this park

Kennedy Lake Park is a popular day-use destination for lake and beach-based recreation. This park is comprised of two sites along the south shore of Kennedy Lake, adjacent to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Visitors come to swim, kayak, fish and windsurf at this beautiful park. A number of small creeks under the highway offer spawning and rearing habitat for several species of fish. In the fall it is possible to view beach spawning of sockeye. Black bears are common at this time.

Due to the steep-sided mountains surrounding Kennedy Lake, the largest body of fresh water on Vancouver Island, winds whip up across the main part of the lake and Clayoquot Arm with little warning, requiring extreme caution by paddlers and boaters.

Facilities at this day-use only park include a small picnic area, pit toilets and a small rustic boat launch suitable for car tops only.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park. All surface water must be boiled, filtered or treated prior to consumption.
Campfires are not allowed in this park.
There are no developed trails in this park.

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

Kennedy Lake is located adjacent to Clayoquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island. This park is comprised of two sites along the south shore of Kennedy Lake, adjacent to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The park is located on Hwy 4, 8km east of the Pacific Rim Hwy/Hwy 4 junction. Nearby communities include Tofino and Ucluelet.

Things to do

Swimming

There is no designated swimming area at this park however the sandy shores of Kennedy Lake offer good swimming opportunities.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

Visitors can canoe or kayak on Kennedy Lake. Paddlers should be aware of prevailing westerly winds, which generally pick up in the afternoon during the summer.

Fishing

There are opportunities for freshwater fishing on Kennedy Lake, which is known to contain 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 in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

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.

Windsurfing

Visitors can windsurf on Kennedy Lake, however be aware the winds can whip up across the main part of the lake and Clayoquot Arm with little warning, requiring extreme caution by paddlers and boaters.

Facilities

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Boat launch

There is a small, rustic boat launch at this park that is suitable for car tops only. It is on a small graveled pull out off Highway 4 and is adjacent to Log Dump Creek.

Picnic areas

This park has a day-use and picnic area with two picnic tables, one wheelchair-accessible pit toilet, parking lot and boat launch. These facilities are located adjacent to Log Dump Creek.

Pit or flush toilets

This park has one pit toilet, located near the parking lot and boat launch.

About this park

Cultural heritage

This area has been inhabited for thousands of years by the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation. In the 1900s, settlers came to the area and fishing and logging became viable industries. Today, tourism is strong, encompassing wildlife viewing, sports fishing, kayaking, wilderness camping and other activities. The connection of the Nuu-chah-nulth peoples to this land is a vital, driving force, and it is equally important for visitors to respect this connection.

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.

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