Westwood Lake Park
Westwood Lake Park
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
223 reviews
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Ziggy N
Nanaimo, Canada127 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Around Westwood is a really good walking path. Lots of shade. Mostly very wide ad enjoyed all year round The beach beach however is a favourite place for massive amounts of Canadian Geese. Great if you want to see Canadian Geese. Not so great if you are thinking what a great place to suntan. Amongst the massive amounts of Canadian geese poop About the size of Cat poop. And as it is the same colour as the sand it does not show very well in pictures I can assure you it is all over and in the sand. Very obvious once your standing in front of it. It is literally everywhere in the sand. Which means even if you could clear back enough poop to justify putting down a towel, you are probably sitting in last years desiderated poop. I can’t believe people sit in the sun dried poop. There isn’t a towel thick enough to get me to sit in that beach. If they took out all the poop there would probably be no sand left
But the trail is beautiful, it’s refreshing on a sunny day it’s gorgeous. But it is a long trail and I advise reading the signage so you can see if you can do the whole thing or when to turn around.
But the trail is beautiful, it’s refreshing on a sunny day it’s gorgeous. But it is a long trail and I advise reading the signage so you can see if you can do the whole thing or when to turn around.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NVanHiker
Nanaimo, Canada261 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
Of course it's a beautiful park; I walked up there from Buttertubs Marsh and circumnavigated the lake. Tip: if you want to avoid the crowds and joggers pushing prams, cut up to the mountain bike trails for some awesome scenery.
My only gripe: I was scouting the area for a future picnic, as well as bringing my bike. This is a huge area and could easily hold 50 picnic tables without crowding instead of the 6 or 8 tables that are actually there. I would like to see a table or two along the lake trail as well, and maybe a couple more benches.
As for bikes, I was only able spot one 3-place rack which could accommodate four bikes in a pinch. Seems a little skimpy.
My only gripe: I was scouting the area for a future picnic, as well as bringing my bike. This is a huge area and could easily hold 50 picnic tables without crowding instead of the 6 or 8 tables that are actually there. I would like to see a table or two along the lake trail as well, and maybe a couple more benches.
As for bikes, I was only able spot one 3-place rack which could accommodate four bikes in a pinch. Seems a little skimpy.
Written July 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gordon M
43 contributions
Sept 2017 • Solo
Westwood Lake park is a place for the whole family, and is a 10 minute drive from downtown Nanaimo. There are two designated sandy swim areas, each with it's own swim dock. It is a shallow man-made lake with a mean depth of 19 feet, so it can get weedy outside of the swim zones.
A 6 plus kilometer trail encompasses the entire lake, and is suitable for all ages. Whether you walk, run, or cycle, this trail is easily traversable by all, and takes about an hour for faster folk.
There is a shallow boat launch right near the entrance to the park for row boats and kayaks. Fuel powered motors are forbidden on this lake, but electric power is acceptable. Westwood Lake is awesome for fishing, and is stocked almost yearly with rainbow trout, which get quite large for a smallish lake. I have personally caught 21 and 22 inch trout there, but 14 to 17 inches is the norm. There are also pumpkinseed perch (sunfish), and small-mouth bass which were introduced some years ago, and grow upwards of 4 pounds. Fish spring and fall for the trout, and summer months for the bass.
Go, see for yourself, and enjoy what Westwood Lake Park has to offer.
A 6 plus kilometer trail encompasses the entire lake, and is suitable for all ages. Whether you walk, run, or cycle, this trail is easily traversable by all, and takes about an hour for faster folk.
There is a shallow boat launch right near the entrance to the park for row boats and kayaks. Fuel powered motors are forbidden on this lake, but electric power is acceptable. Westwood Lake is awesome for fishing, and is stocked almost yearly with rainbow trout, which get quite large for a smallish lake. I have personally caught 21 and 22 inch trout there, but 14 to 17 inches is the norm. There are also pumpkinseed perch (sunfish), and small-mouth bass which were introduced some years ago, and grow upwards of 4 pounds. Fish spring and fall for the trout, and summer months for the bass.
Go, see for yourself, and enjoy what Westwood Lake Park has to offer.
Written March 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pastorash
Moose Jaw, Canada471 contributions
Sept 2020
Took the entire walk around the park on well groomed paths, just an amazing time there. Lots of trails and plenty of places to walk long or short, definitely an off the beaten track place for visitors to the city though I see the locals know all about this gem.
Written September 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pearl F
50 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
Westwood Lake on the outskirts of Nanaimo is suitable for year-round outdoor recreation. Nestled in the forest of Mount Benson, there are two beaches right by the parking areas (which fill up on warm summer weekends), and a washroom/change room. The first beach is lifeguarded, but the farther one, just a few steps away, is less busy, and besides the sand, has a grassy area under tall trees. It's perfect for those who prefer to sit in the shade and watch the swimmers. The six kilometre trail around the lake is used year round. Fishers can launch a small boat or canoe, or sit by the lakeside. This winter the lake even froze over enough for skating for a week!
Written September 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
get_with_it
Victoria, Canada294 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
This lake is great. There are washrooms, hiking trails, two beach areas with shallow sloping sand beaches leading into the freshwater lake. There is ample free parking. Lifeguards are on duty in the summer at the first beach from noon until 6 every day. The first beach area has a roped off swim area and a boat launch for kayaks, canoes and paddle boards (no motors allowed). The roped off area is 50 meters out and 100 meters across and there is a raft about 40 meters out that people (kids of all ages) swim to and jump off of. There is also a ramp on the other side of the roped area that wheelchairs can access to give physically challenged people access to the lake.
The water is not as clear as some other local areas but the quality is tested regularly by the city as well as Island Health and they will close it the ecoli levels get too high. If you go further back there are mountain bike trails.
It is a wonderful place and the lack of concession could be a concern but that could also ruin it in another way.
The water is not as clear as some other local areas but the quality is tested regularly by the city as well as Island Health and they will close it the ecoli levels get too high. If you go further back there are mountain bike trails.
It is a wonderful place and the lack of concession could be a concern but that could also ruin it in another way.
Written July 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise B
Nanaimo, Canada2 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
Well maintained trail, easy terrain except for one steep hill. Parking is right in front of the lake. When facing the lake, if you go left you hit the hill first. Well marked trail with km markers to let you know how far you have gone. I don't recommend cycling the trail, too many runners and dogs. I don't think you need hiking boots, I've run the trail in regular runners. Depending on how fast you run or walk, will determine how long it takes you to get around the lake. If you are pretty fit, I would think approx. 1 hr to walk around the lake. On a hot day, watch for the turtles sunning themselves on the logs, at the shallow end of the lake.
Written July 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pearl D
53 contributions
Sept 2021
This is a lovely lake and trail within the city. The trail is well used and easy to navigate. The water was clean and great for swimming and there was a dock you could swim it to. I saw 2 beaches I believe.
Written September 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
charlie macIntosh
14 contributions
Sept 2019
i love taking my dog for a run/walk around the lake. it's about 6 km so it will take you anywhere from 1-2 hours walking, which is a really nice way to start your mornings. and down the road is the local SPCA with tons of critters waiting for you. amazing little nature spot. lots of trees, water and turtles!!
Written November 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jamn532017
Elliot Lake, Canada20 contributions
Jul 2019
Lovely trail around the lake. Two beaches to swim at. Great views. Washroom at the beach.Small dock.
Written July 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I hear that the open water swimming course is marked off at Westwood Lake. How long is the course? Is there more than one course marked off?
Written August 22, 2016
It's an supervised area that is cordoned off... there are two swimming areas though with the lake access to unmotorized water craft
Written October 22, 2016
can you fish and what types of fish are in the lake?
Written February 22, 2016
Yes indeed you can. The water level can get low in summers of extreme drought and there can be snags just below the surface, but with all the rain we've had recently it should be OK. Only electric motors are permitted. We have just rowed on occasion as the lake is quite small. It's also great for canoes. We have caught some good sized trout over the years.
Written February 23, 2016
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