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Buttle Lake
Buttle Lake is placed on Central Vancouver Island. It is one of the most beautiful and unique natural landscapes and tourist attractions. In the north of Buttle Lake, near Campbell River city, there is another lake named Campbell Lake. A dam was constructed on upper Campbell Lake in the 1950s. It feeds Buttle Lake's water and has led to permanent changes in natural landscapes and the site's environment. Mudflats littered by stumps are seen on the surface water in the low-water seasons. As Buttle Lake is in Strathcona Provincial Park, the oldest provincial park in BC, and also surrounded by mountains, there are several opportunities for visitors to enjoy the area. Wildlife viewing and wilderness camping, hiking, climbing, fishing, and water activities are among them.
Buttle Lake Location
Buttle Lake is located between Campbell River and Gold River village on Vancouver Island in the Strathcona region district, British Colombia, Canada. Buttle Lake has nearly 23 km (14 miles) length, 1.5 km (0.9 miles) width, and an estimated area of 28 square kilometres (11 sq. miles), with up to 120 m (394 ft.) depth. It lies at an elevation of 221 m (750 ft.). A well-kept sandy beach in Buttle Lake is suitable for a campsite placed right on the lake's shore. However, in the second-ground Douglas fir forest, some non-serviced sites are located. Visitors can benefit from a well-located camping site on the lake's shore. There are fascinating and exciting opportunities to try and enjoy.
How to Get to Buttle Lake by Car
From Victoria: The access to Buttle Lake from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N. The route is 329 km (204.4 miles) and takes about four hours.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and drive for 1.2 km (0.7 miles). Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N to Island Hwy/BC-19A N in Campbell River. After 264 km (164 miles), take Gold River Hwy/BC-28 W to Westmin Rd in Comox-Strathcona D. Continue 63.8 km (39.6 miles) more toward Buttle Lake.
From Nanaimo: The fastest route for getting to Buttle Lake from Nanaimo is BC-19 N. It is 219 km (136 miles) and takes about two hours and 35 minutes.
Head west on Fitzwilliam St toward Wesley St. After 800 m (2624.6 ft), continue onto Third St. Drive 1.9 km (1.1 miles) and continue onto Jingle Pot Rd. After 650 m (2132.5 ft), turn right onto BC-19 N (signs for Campbell R). Continue for 151 km (93.8 miles) and turn left onto Island Hwy/BC-19A N (signs for BC-28 W/Gold River). After 150 m (492.1 ft), continue onto Campbell River Rd/Gold River Hwy/BC-28 W. Continue to follow Gold River Hwy/BC-28 W for 47.3 km (29.3 miles) more and continue straight onto Westmin Rd. After 16.4 km (10.1 miles), you will reach Buttle Lake.
The Hike to Get to Buttle Lake
1. "Augerpoint Traverse" is a hard, point-to-point trail with 30.3 km (18.8 miles) length and 1824 m elevation gain (5984.2 ft) near Comox Valley C. It features Lake Helen Mackenzie, Junction Kwai Lake, Circlet Lake, and Buttle Lake. Dogs can use the route but on a leash.
2. "Lupin Falls Trail" is another trail that is an easy loop near Buttle Lake. It has 0.8 km (0.4 miles) in length and starts and ends in Western Mines Rd, Strathcona D, British Columbia. The elevation gain is 43 m (141 ft).
3. "Three Pond Loop Trail" is an easy loop that is placed near Buttle Lake Campground. The trail has 0.6 km (0.3 miles) in length, and the elevation gain is 13 m (42.6 ft). Dogs must be kept on a leash.
History of Buttle Lake
The lake borrowed its name from famous English biologist and botanist John Buttle, who travelled to the area with Royal Engineers to map the lake's surrounding area in 1865. The Buttle Lake area is where the Mowachaht and Muchalaht people from the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation are living.
Things to Do around the Buttle Lake Area
Buttle Lake is quiet, and out of the way lake drains into Campbell Lake. Three provincial campgrounds serve it for the tourist camping traveller. One campground is just for group camping, and it is located on an inlet on the west side of the island. Mountains surround Buttle Lake. Its campground is for those who are self-contained, pit toilets, and water pumps. Also, you can swim and bike riding there. There are some great hikes within a half-hour range of the campground over distances of less than a kilometre (0.6 miles) to several days' journey, and also, Buttle Lake itself is suitable for fishing. If you decide to bring a boat down the lake's length, there are several marine campsites accessible boat only. Also, the RV site and tent site are available.
Buttle Lake Activities
Boating
The popular water sport in Buttle Lake is Canoeing and Kayaking. However, strong, unpredictable winds in the afternoon may subject small crafts to potential risk. Therefore, Canoeists and Kayakers should always be on alert about hazardous situations. Buttle Lake boat launch and Karst-Creek boat launch are two boat launching ramps on Buttle Lake's shore.
Climbing
Crest-Creek crags offer more than 150 climbing routes arranged for interested people with various skill and experience levels and equipment, where it is accessed via Highway 28 from Campbell River.
Biking
Mountain biking is another opportunity that visitors may enjoy on the west side of Strathcona Park through Gold River, next to Kunlin Lake and Mount Washington.
Swimming
Strathcona Park is a dreaming place for swimming near Buttle Lake and Driftwood Bay campgrounds.
Fishing
Angling is a relaxing and concentrating sport that may offer you enjoyable moments and some fat, delicious fish in Strathcona Park. Cutthroat and Rainbow trout are the primary catch.
Playground
An adventure playground is accessible at the campground.
Buttle Lake Outline
Specifications
Climate
Water Temperature
Timing
1. Since the lake is located in the provincial park, it has not been seriously disturbed.
2. It was first flooded in 1958. 3. Golden Hinde (the highest point of Vancouver Island), is located in the west of Buttle Lake.
1- June, July, August, and September are the best months for swimming and tanning.
2- For more information about wind and waves, and tide levels visit the Beach Weather website. 3- The numbers are for Low/High temperature.
1- All the numbers are for surface temperature.
2- The numbers are estimated on average.
Contact Us
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Planning for Buttle Lake
Suitability
Camping & Resort
Services
Packing
Travel Tips
1- There are two vehicle-accessible campgrounds in Strathcona Provincial Park.
1-There are multiple campgrounds.
1- Campfires are not allowed.
1- For overnight hike please inform a responsible person of your intention.
2- Be well-equipped for climate conditions and check the weather reports before heading out.
Tour Packages You Might Find Interesting
Ten Amazing Places within the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region
Hiking on the Mount Menzies Access Road through a logging road and having a forest walk is a challenge you can take near the Campbell River. The trail and the view from the lookout are incredible in colours. Get away from the humans by going on a beautiful trail which is nice and quiet!
In an area with several hiking options having the experience of hiking a relatively long trail would be great as it is rich in natural beauties. Besides hikers, Riley Lake to Lookout Loop to Lost Frog is proper for mountain bikers and nature trip lovers. Just find yourself northwest of Campbell River and get the most out of your backpacking trip.
With access to the Campbell River and the Quinsam River at the Elk Falls Provincial Park, hiking on the Beaver Ponds Elk Falls Circular Route makes you a fantastic day. The great scenery within the protected area and lots of activities with waterfalls, a park, rivers, a lake, and a campground have exceeded all expectations for nature lovers and hikers.
Have a nice easy hike in the forest with lots of river access points while you have chances for watching wildlife in Quinsam River Hatchery Trail. It is known as one of the most spectacular hiking trails in the area of Campbell River city. Fishing, nature trips, walking, and bird watching are other options for hiking along the river.
The Elk Falls via Millenium Trail is a family-friendly loop. This excellent hike with spectacular views includes waterfalls, Suspension Bridge, sitting areas and the Campbell River. Hiking this trail certainly tests your nerves. It is well maintained with several facilities. Get in touch with beautiful scenery along the river, and enjoy the stunning park with all family members while you are just a few kilometres away from downtown.
With a five-kilometre distance from the city, hiking on the Elk Falls Viewing Platform is an opportunity. It is among several hiking trails you can follow and explore in Elk Falls Provincial Park. This easy trail forest walk is age-friendly and features a waterfall and Suspension Bridge with a great view from the point.
Just outside Campbell River, step into an exciting hiking trail in the middle of a provincial park. It is where the stunning view of Douglas-fir forests comes with a wide variety of wildlife to watch. Find your way alongside the river in a loop which in some parts would be a challenge. It would be great if you plan to be there in the afternoon with a view of the sun when you cross the river.
As one of the highest points of Vancouver Island, Mount Adrian offers great snowmobiling, among other winter activities. It has two summits that feature Strathcona Provincial Park in every direction—looking for a place to have winter excitement? Nowhere is better than Mount Adrian.
Snowmobilers and sledding enthusiasts have the chance to go snowboarding in the morning and waterskiing in the afternoon. The warm dressing is critical during snowmobiling in Mount Washington. Besides, the fantastic view there is fabulous for photography.
As the second busiest winter recreational destination in BC, Mt. Washington Ski Resort in Comox Valley offers a wide range of snowboarding facilities. Mountain climbing enthusiasts who choose Mount Washington for snowboarding have the chance to look across the Strait of Georgia and other spectacular views, such as the Strathcona Provincial Park region.
Being the busiest winter recreational destination in BC, Mount Washington provides you with incredible winter activities, including snowshoeing. While you are on the snow, enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the Strait of Georgia and the Sunshine Coast from Powell River to Sechelt. Moreover, several nearby resorts are ready to offer service to visitors annually.
As one of the biggest and most visited ski resorts in Comox Valley, The Mount Washington resort is a summer-winter destination primed with several facilities to serve skiing followers. The high rate of snowfall and spectacular views of the ocean, and ample facilities for winter activities multiply the attractiveness of Mount Washington.
Home to many campsites with all kinds of facilities and services right on the shoreline, Buttle Lake campground offers you the best opportunities to explore the shore. There you can do a lot of activities and enjoy seeing marine creatures. Annually, the campground welcomes RV and vehicle campers. Also, you can have a good time camping in your tents.
Camping in Ralph River Campground offers a bit more comfortable experience of exploring the park. It's adjacent to Buttle Lake, with numerous campsites all along the glorious shoreline of it. It is where you will feel a sense of being in the wilderness with beautiful sights and spectacular views from several sites over the valleys.
Located in the Strathcona Provincial Park near Bedwell Lake, camping is possible in a nice backcountry campground on Baby Bedwell Lake, set in the lush forest surrounded by majestic mountains. Beautiful alpine forest, perfect swimming, breathtaking view of the trail, small ponds and lakes surrounded by glacial mountain peaks are some of the area's attractions. They are enough to fascinate visitors and campers.
As Buttle Lake is in Strathcona Provincial Park, the oldest provincial park in BC, and also surrounded by mountains, there are several opportunities for visitors to enjoy the area. Wildlife viewing and wilderness camping, hiking, climbing, fishing, and water activities are among them.
Are you struggling with spending a ton of time searching for the best family-friendly vacation? Then you need to visit Buttle Lake and get better results camping around it. Learn how Buttle Lake gives you an unfair advantage with camping, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing in Strathcona Provincial Park, the oldest provincial park on Vancouver Island.
Great Central Lake is a popular destination near Port Alberni for hot summer days. As it is nestled beneath low mountains, and secondary-growth forests mostly surround it, there is a reflection on the water, making a scenic view. Photography, boating, hiking, swimming, and camping are suggested while you are in the area. So go on the adventures and pour your heart into them.
Campbell River is the fourth largest city on Vancouver Island. It has long been called "the Salmon Capital of the World." Campbell River has a reach ecosystem and beautiful waterfalls. Fishing, skiing at Mount Washington, playing golf, and seasonal activities like bear and whale watching are among the best things you can do in Campbell River.
It takes a short drive to Nanaimo Lakes south of Nanaimo. The pristine nature gives you a chance to stay away from technology. It is tranquil and peaceful around the lakes with scenic spots in the forest, great for a long walk or camping. The warm lake water makes it a fantastic spot for swimming and kayaking. Mountain climbing, hiking, and fishing are other possibilities.