Sproat Lake

Sproat Lake, also known as Kleecoot, is a large lake on Central Vancouver Island with a 37.75 km² (14.57 mi²) area. The sunny and warm lake is a lovely place for water-based recreationists. Sproat Lake Provincial Park is a favoured place in the Alberni Valley for fishing, swimming, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and windsurfing when the wind is 'up.' Culture supporters may adore an enjoyable walk to observe a panel of primitive petroglyphs, one of the optimum in British Columbia - at the park's eastern edge. Though no one is sure, it can be imagined that these rock carvings depict the lake's ancient monsters.
Over the forest's fire season, the lake is used by the vast Martin Mars water bombers for their takeoff strips since they thunder off to turn off wildfires.
With a sizeable day-use area and two individual campgrounds, this park becomes a common target for picnickers and campers coming here to relax in the sun by the warm lake or enjoy the host of the available recreational hobby.
Sproat Lake is broad, deep, and quite popular for all manner of water recreational pursuit from swimming to fishing. Despite its size and depth, the water is relatively warm, adding to its value as a destination lake. May and April are good for steelhead, with April to June being incredibly productive for rainbow trout. The cutthroat fishery on Sproat Lake is only for catch-and-release, and all wild rainbows over 60 cm (23.6 inches) must be released as well. The Sproat River is a great fishery, which is also locally known for excellent swimming in parts. Special restrictions exist for Sproat Lake; hence, it is essential to consult with the Freshwater Fishing Regulations for information.

Sproat Lake Location

Sproat Lake is located almost 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) northwest of Port Alberni, near central Vancouver Island. You can leave your car in the Sproat Lake Provincial Park parking lot, which takes a short walk to the petroglyphs. Like most parks in the region, the campers should reserve ahead, particularly during the summer months.
Sproat Lake is situated off the Pacific Rim Highway Four, running from Parksville on the island's eastern coast to Ucluelet and Tofino on the rugged west coast and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

How to Get to Sproat Lake by Car

From Victoria:
Getting to Sproat Lake from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-4 W. It is 202 km (125.5 miles) and takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. After 1.2 km (0.7 miles), follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N to Memorial Rd/BC-4 W in Nanaimo G. Take exit 60 from BC-19 N. When you drive 155 km (96.3 miles) more, merge onto Memorial Rd/BC-4 W. Continue to follow BC-4 W. After 45.9 km (28.5 miles), you reach Sproat Lake.

From Nanaimo:
Getting to Sproat Lake from Nanaimo is via BC-19 N and BC-4 W. It is 91.9 km (57.1 miles) and takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Head west on Fitzwilliam St towards Wesley St. After 800 m (2624.6 ft), continue onto Third St. Drive 1.9 km (1.2 miles) more and Continue onto Jingle Pot Rd. Turn right onto BC-19 N (signs for Campbell R). After 41.3 km (25.6 miles), take exit 60 towards Port Alberni. After 1.5 km (0.9 miles), merge onto Memorial Rd/BC-4 W. Drive 45.9 km (28.5 miles) to reach Sproat Lake.

The Hike to Get to Sproat Lake

There is no designated hiking trail to get to Sproat Lake.

History of Sproat Lake

The lake's name was selected after Gilbert Malcolm Sproat arriving in the Alberni Valley in 1860 and establishing the first sawmill in 1861. Hence, long relationships were initiated between the area and the forest industry. Before settling European people in the region, the aboriginal individuals were remarkably present since it was an appropriate place for settlement, with plentiful harvests from the ocean and the forests.
As Anderson & Company Victoria's resident manager, Sproat exported spars to Europe from Vancouver Island and Puget Sound. It was a trade transported to the southern ports followed by the US Civil War ended. Sproat visited the western coast of Vancouver Island frequently related to his business as a prearranged Principal Customs officer.
The lake always has a recreational pull. The opportunity was affirmed by establishing Klitsa Lodge (1919), a fishing cottage retreating for the wealthy and Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr's summer house in 1920 on Arbutus Island. Also, Great Central Lake possesses a recreational attraction as it appeared by developing the Ark floating lodge in 1925.
Sproat Lake was initiated to appeal to permanent residents rather than summer cabin residents in the 1950s. This trend has sustained to present with luxurious, large homes for replacing modest homes, a reflection as the lake's attractions, and the resultant high real estate prices. It has become a quality residential suburb. Moreover, it appears that future growth will be along recreational and residential lines. Following a winding old, unpaved mid-elevation logging road on the north side of Sproat Lake, the highway to the west coast was substituted by the present Highway 4 in the early 1970s. It makes it much more accessible to the west coast.
After establishing the Pacific Rim National Park at Long Beach (known as Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Long Beach Unit) and lately, declaring the UNESCO Biosphere Resource Center on Clayoquot Sound, it critically sped up the tourist visits to the area while providing another economic base area. The site is all the more appreciated now with the obvious permanent forestry industry downturn.
The kind of ribbon residential development determines most of Sproat Lake's existing character to date, which rings the lake. At the north entrance to Two Rivers Arm and the past on Taylor Arm, some water-access recreational lots were also permitted.
MacMillan Bloedel Limited gave the park to the province in 1966. Before becoming a provincial park, Smith's Landing was followed by George Smith farming in the region.

Things to Do around the Sproat Lake Area

The stunning Sproat Lake Provincial Park on the Sproat Lake's northeast shore has numerous widespread attractions such as a beautiful beach, several campsites, and hiking trails in two individual campgrounds.
Bicycle riding must be performed to keep to roadways; furthermore, bicycle helmets are obligatory in British Columbia. E-bikes (bicycles with electric assist motors) are not permitted on the trails within Sproat Lake Provincial Park.
The park is also the proper place for more thrilling activities. There is a world under Sproat Lake that you can explore and a marvellous array of water-dwelling life to sight over a freshwater scuba diving trip. You may want to go waterskiing in one of the grandest environments imaginable, with stunning scenery rising on all sides of you while reaching high speeds.
Sproat Lake provides opportunities for freshwater scuba diving.
The lake is well-known for hot, long, sunny summer days with amazing views of Mount Arrowsmith, warm fresh, crystal clear water, and acres of pristine wilderness. Sproat Lake is a perfect place for a family vacation, where every family member can enjoy swimming, hiking, boating, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and waterskiing.
You can select Sproat Lake Landing Resort as your family vacation to experience Vancouver Island's best areas. You can take one-day trips from here to visit our appealing neighbours of Tofino, Oceanside, Ucluelet, and even Victoria. You can walk around the Alberni Valley or stop at the lake and immerse up the sun on our attractively terraced landscaped lawns.
The park is worth more than just a day trip if you have the time. You can set up your tent at one of the two campgrounds facilitating longer stays. Spend your time here walking the trails, fishing, swimming, or simply relaxing.
Eastern Sproat Lake is the town of Port Alberni, settled in the Alberni Valley at the head of Alberni Inlet, Vancouver Island's longest inlet. The primary industries of Port Alberni have been logging and mining over the decades; however, the town has been turned into the central tourist hub today. Visit active logging and mill operations are accessible; museums feature heavy equipment and First Nation art. The refreshed Harbour Quay is home to passenger and cargo ships scheduled regularly, providing the distributed Barkley Sound communities. Moreover, the Alberni Harbour Quay is a location with restaurants and stores, charter outlets, a forestry visitor center, and art galleries for people.