Fairy Lake

Fairy Lake Nature Trail is part of a BC Forest Recreation Site located on the westcoast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada near the community of Port Renfrew, BC. The lake is a sandy beach recreation destination, complete with campsite, located up stream from the mouth of the San Juan River.

The BC Forest Site is a quick get-a-way for many locals and a great find for visitors. Some of the activities enjoyed at the lake include hiking, swimming, camping, canoeing, mountain biking, picnicking, suntanning and fishing.

What is unque about the lake is the lone twisted tree poking out of the lake. In the middle of the lake is a sunken log with one end poking up. Perched on the exposed end of the log is a single dwarfed fir tree poking out of the water.

The hiking trail at Fairy Lake is a 2 kilometre loop route exploring the forests and lakeshore. The trail can get muddy and slippery so prepare with good foot wear. Beware that after a heavy rainfall the hiking trail can become flooded and the lake water levels rise. There are other trails and gravel roads near Fairy Lake to explore.

Most who fish the area arrive at Fairy Lake in May and June and some come in September and October. All come to catch cutthroat and dolly varden. There is a roof top boat launch in the park plus some pit toilets. No motorized boats are permitted. Fishing in BC requires a licence.

Nearby is a fish hatchery for breeding salmon. there is a rough trail leading to the hatchery. The hatchery focuses on maintaining the Chinook Salmon population in the San Juan River. Beware that this is also home to wildlife like bears and cougars.

How to Get to Fairy Lake

Travel to the community of Port Renfrew, BC on Vancouver Island. The recreation BC Forest Recreation Site is located 5 kilometres from Port Renfrew on Harris Main FSR (Forest Service Road). It is an active gravel logging road complete with logging trucks. Always drive with your lights on and logging trucks have the right of way. There are pull outs and gravel shoulders to pull out on to give way to the large trucks.