A campfire ban is currently in effect for this park. For more information about campfire bans and about provincial parks with park closures and campfire bans in effect, visit the BC Parks campfire ban webpage.
Park Info
Spectacle Lake Provincial Park is home to mature forest, lake and wetlands. Located northwest of Victoria, in the Nanaimo Lowlands Ecosection, this park is one of few accessible freshwater lakes that allows fishing, swimming and in the winter, skating.
This park offers day-use opportunities for swimming in a spring-fed lake, fishing for Eastern brook trout and Cutthroat trout, and an easy hiking trail that winds around the lake for more than 2 kilometers. Much of this trail system is wheelchair accessible. The main trail also unofficially links up to various regional trails outside of the park boundaries. In the winter, Spectacle Lake is one of the first to freeze, supplying a reliable skating site if temperatures are cold enough.
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.
Spectacle Lake Provincial Park is located 30 km north of Victoria just off Highway 1, on southern Vancouver Island. Nearby communities include: Victoria, Langford, Mill Bay, Duncan.
Nature & Culture
History - The area around Spectacle Lake was logged prior to 1960, and the region has a rich logging history. An old plant logging road to Oliphant Lake passes to the west of the park. Spectacle Lake was also the site of a sawmill in the 1940s, when the lake was dammed and used to boom logs.
There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking on the lake in this park.
Fishing
This lake offers the only Eastern Brook trout fishing on Vancouver Island.
It is also regularly stocked with 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 or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hiking
An easy 2 km well-maintained hiking trail circles the lake, with wooden bridges crossing the numerous creeks and marshy area feeding into Spectacle 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 on Leash
Pets/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.
Swimming
Although there are no designated swimming areas at Spectacle Lake, swimming is a popular activity at this park. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Winter Recreation
Spectacle Lake is one of the first to freeze over in winter, supplying a reliable skating site in cold temperatures.
Facilities Available At This Park
Boat Launch
There is a boat launch for canoes kayaks and car-toppers at this park, near the parking lot.
Drinking Water
Cold water taps
are located throughout the park. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
Picnic Areas
This park has a day-use/picnic area with a cold water pump, pit toilets and a boat launch.
Pit or Flush Toilets
Pit toilets are located at the parking lot.
Wheelchair Access
Some facilities in the park are wheelchair accessible.
