Spectacle Lake Park

Spectacle Lake Park is located south of the village of Mill Bay and Shawnigan Lake in the South Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The recreation park is a popular recreation destination in the summer and winter.

The park is a 67 hectare outdoor destination consisting of wetlands, a lake and a forest. The park is situated in the Malahat Mountain area high above Victoria and the Cowichan Valley. The Malahat Highway (Highway #1) connects the valley with Victoria when traveling on Vancouver Island.

During the summer months Spectacle Lake Park is popular for activities like canoeing, kayaking, picnicking, hiking, fishing and swimming. In the winter, if it gets cold enough, the lake freezes over and ice skating and ice fishing are the activities enjoyed.

Fishing is for trout. No motorized boats are permitted on Spectacle Lake. So fishing is from canoes, kayaks and row boats. There is a roof top boat launch in the parking lot. And remember to fish in British Columbia you will require a fishing licence.

Circling the lake is a well maintained wilderness hiking trail. The recreation route follows along the shore of the lake along a dirt and boardwalk pathway. There are wooden bridges crossing over creeks and wetland marsh areas. Along the hiking trail are a few good viewpoints for birdwatching. The boardwalk sections of the trail are wheelchair friendly.

Connecting to the Spectacle Lake Trail are other connector trails leading to other destinations located outside of the park. There is a trail leading to Oliphant Lake, the Malahat Ridge, and the Hatchet Jack Lookout Point.

From the main parking lot in Spectacle Lake Park is an access trail leading to a small beach and day use picnic area. The picnicking area includes some picnic tables, pit toilets and a rooftop boat launch.

How to Get to Spectacle Lake Park

From Victoria travel the Malahat Highway (Hwy #1) south for approximately 35 kilometres. Drive past Goldstream Park and begin the climb up the Malahat Mountain towards the community of Mill Bay in the South Cowichan Valley. Look for the South Shawnigan Lake Exit sign. Do not turn here but continue to Whittaker Road and turn there. Continue to the park.