West Shawnigan Lake Park

Highlights in this park

West Shawnigan Lake Park is a small day-use park providing a sanctuary for Douglas fir forest, as well as lakeside beach access on the northwest shores of Shawnigan Lake. This popular summer recreation area offers a wealth of outdoor activities, including swimming, paddling and fishing in the trout-stocked waters. It’s also an idyllic place to enjoy a family picnic.

Outside of the park boundaries, the lake offers opportunities for boating, waterskiing and windsurfing. The peaceful waters of Shawnigan Lake make it an excellent place to canoe or kayak. Park facilities include pit toilets, picnic tables and short walking trails.

Know before you go

Advisories

Special notes

Please note: This park is cooperatively managed by the Cowichan Valley Regional District. 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

West Shawnigan Lake Park is located north of Victoria on southern Vancouver Island. Turn west off Highway 1 at Shawnigan/Mill Bay Road in Mill Bay. Follow the road approximately 15km to Shawnigan Lake, then turn right onto Shawnigan Lake Road. Follow this road until you reach the park. Nearby communities include Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill, Mill Bay, Cowichan.

Things to do

Swimming

A designated swimming are in the lake provides visitors with a safe place to enjoy the water. Floats define the swimming area.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

Peaceful Shawnigan Lake is an excellent place for canoeing or kayaking. Paddlers can launch from the beach at the day-use area or other public locations along Shawnigan Lake.

Fishing

Shawnigan Lake is stocked with trout and is a popular destination for anglers. 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.

Waterskiing

Shawnigan Lake is a popular waterskiing location however the area within West Shawnigan Lake Park is not accessible to water-skiers. Boaters can launch their boats at facilities on Clearihue Road (turnoff beside Firehall #2) in the community of Shawnigan Lake.

Windsurfing

Shawnigan Lake is a popular windsurfing location however the area within West Shawnigan Lake Park is not accessible to windsurfers.

Facilities

Picnic areas

This park has a day-use and picnic area on the sandy northwest shores of Shawnigan Lake. Facilities included picnic tables, pit toilets, a grassy area and a change house.

Pit or flush toilets

Pit toilets are located near the parking lot and at the beach day-use area.

About this park

Wildlife

This park protects an important riparian habitat for various frogs, salamanders, turtles, garter snakes and birds. Columbian black-tailed deer access the lakeshore here. Loons, geese and other waterfowl feed near the shore, while birds of prey use the forest to roost.

General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

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