Highlights in this park
Fresh water adventure seekers will not want to miss a visit to Sproat Lake 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.
Know before you go
Advisories
Special notes
- There is no motorized vehicle-access on the trail network or in the day-use area 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
Sproat Lake 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 Highway 4.
Dates of operation
The park gate is open year-round
- Facility type
- Frontcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Reservable frontcountry sites: 14
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 15
- RV-accessible sites: 1
- Main operating season
- 2024: April 15 to October 15
- Winter season
- 2024: January 1 to April 14, October 16 to December 31
- 2025: January 1 to April 14
- Booking required
- 2024: April 15 to September 2
- Winter season note
- A winter camping fee is in effect from October 16 to April 14.
- Facility type
- Frontcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Reservable frontcountry sites: 44
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 44
- RV-accessible sites: 1
- Main operating season
- 2024: May 1 to September 30
- Winter season
- No services
- Booking required
- 2024: May 1 to September 2
- Winter season note
- The campground gate is closed during the off-season.
Camping
- Total number of campsites
- Total reservable frontcountry sites: 63
- Total vehicle-accessible sites: 57
- Total walk-in sites: 7
Campsite reservations are accepted at this park. If sites are not reserved, then they are available for first come, first served camping.
All campsite reservations must be made the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first come, first served.
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.
| Vehicle-accessible camping fee | $25 per party per night |
| BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only) | $12.50 per senior party per night |
For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page.
This park offers year-round camping with limited facilities during the off-season in the Lower campground only.
| Winter camping fee | $13 per party per night |
| BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only) | $12.50 per senior party per night |
For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page.
Things to do
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Sproat Lake 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.
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 in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
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 0.5 km long 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 and 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.
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 in BC Parks.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for Sproat Lake park, as well as these areas in the park:
Campfire rings are provided at each campsite and in the day-use area. While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small.
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.
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
Taps providing cold water are located at both campgrounds and the day-use area. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
This park has a large day-use and 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 two 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 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.
There are hot showers at this park. The shower building is located adjacent to the boat launch and next to the lower campground.
About this park
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 and 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 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.
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
This park proudly operated by:
R.L.C. Enterprize Ltd.
250-474-1336
office@rlcparks.ca
www.rlcparks.ca