Sproat Lake Park is located northwest of Port Alberni, it is a beautiful lakeside park where you can swim, canoe, kayak, powerboat, water ski and windsurf to your heart’s content. Sproat Lake Park has 2 campgrounds and a great picnic area.
The two campgrounds are separated by the lake road, but there is a path that runs under the road that joins both these campgrounds. You can continue walking along the water on a path that will take you to a walking wharf at the eastern end of the lake. Here you will be able to view one of the best petroglyphs in BC, it’s called K’ak’awin, and it’s pretty awesome.
Another incredible sight is the Martin Mars Water Bomber that is stationed here on the lake. This is a very big, amphibian flying tanker that can skim water by flying at the water’s surface, then haul this off to use in firefighting. I was a firefighter for quite a few years, ran an initial response team for the forest service, and was always impressed with these giant flying boats.
The warm water in Sproat Lake is great for swimming. There is a boat launch at the park, it can be very busy during summer, so have patience. The lake is perfect for windsurfing, kayaking, fishing or paddleboarding. You can kayak right up to the martin mars plane, and then you can see just how big these birds are.
This park has three large day-use areas located next to the lower campground adjacent to the lake, they are perfect for picnics on those hot summer days. There is fresh water available, campfire rings, and a large grassy play area for tossing around a ball or Frisbee, There are shower buildings with flush toilets located in the day-use area as well.
There are two separate campgrounds with 59 campsites in this park. Campsite reservations are accepted, and some first-come-first-serve sites are also available. I recommend that you reserve as this park can be very busy during the summer months. There are 15 sites in the lower campground and 44 in the upper campground.
There is group camping available at Taylor Arm Provincial Park 10 min north of Sproat Lake on HWY #4. A freshwater hand pump and pit toilets are located at the group campground. There are three group sites located at Taylor Arm. There is a trail that links the campground to the lake that again, runs under the roadway. Campfires are allowed at all three campgrounds when there is no fire ban, you can purchase wood here or bring your own, but please do not burn wood gathered in the park, you can be fined for this.
When you are here, you must visit Stamp Falls Park is only 20 minutes away from Sproat Lake Park, it’s a must-see during the salmon spawning season. The fishing is phenomenal at these falls and the beauty will take your breath away.
There is plenty of wildlife here, you could see bears, deer, elk, pine martins, raccoons, and a wide variety of birds. So when you come, don’t forget to bring your camera.