South Island. 
Know before you go
Advisories
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
Taylor Arm Park is located 23km northwest of Port Alberni on central Vancouver Island. The park is situated on Hwy #4, approximately 10km past Sproat Lake Park.
There is no motorized vehicle access on the trail network or in the day use area in this park.
Camping
Group camping
There are three group campsites at this park, all of which are vehicle-accessible. G1 can accommodate 20 people, G2 can accommodate 30, and G3 can accommodate 50. They are located across the highway from Sproat Lake. A trail to the lake and beach leads through a highway underpass and takes approximately 10 minutes. These group sites are reservable. Camping is not allowed outside of the operating season.
| Youth group camping fee | $1 per person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum. Children under 6 are free! |
| Regular group camping fee | $20 per group site per night, plus $5 per adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1 per child (6-15). Children under 6 are free! |
For information on the youth group policy see the group camping page.
Groupsites
Things to do
There are two access trails to Sproat Lake. One at the group campground and one at Camp 10. Both trails take approximately 10 minutes. The group campsite access trail goes under a highway bridge.
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.
Swimming opportunities exist in Sproat Lake, which can be accessed by trails from either the Camp 10 day-use area or the group campground.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Paddling opportunities exist at this park, but visitors will have to walk down the trail to the lake (approximately 10 minutes) with their vessels. Camp 10 is the best location to set in canoes and kayaks.
There are opportunities for lake fishing at this park. 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.
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 Taylor Arm 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
Accessibility information is available for this park.
Campfire rings are provided at each group campsite. While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead.
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.
A fresh water hand pump is located at the group campground. Water is shut off during the off-season.
Annual Drinking Water System Report
This park has two day-use and picnic areas, one accessible via a highway underpass from the parking lot. Facilities here are limited to a pit toilet.
The other day-use area is at Camp 10, located half a kilometre west of the group campground parking lot down Hwy #4. Camp 10 has a small parking lot and a pit toilet. A short trail leads from the Camp 10 parking lot to Sproat 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
| Reservations, changes, and cancellations | Our call centre is open from 7 am to 7 pm Pacific Time. There is a $5 fee for reservations, changes, or cancellations made by phone.
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| 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. |
