Main Lake Provincial Park
Main Lake Provincial Park
4
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
12 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
3
Wendy V
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada1,080 contributions
Sept 2020
The lakes in this provincial park are perfect for kayaking and canoeing. It is totally worth the drive on washboard gravel road to get there. There is actually a canoe/'kayak route that you can take, with camping spots (at least 9) on the shores. There is a good little boat launch on Mine Lake, which leads into the other lakes. There is also a busier launch on Village Bay Lake, which also connects to the other lakes. The little campsites on the shore are beautiful and very private. The lakes are warm to swim in the summer. People are super friendly around there!
Written September 19, 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.
Via_girl
Qualicum Beach, Canada2,974 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
This is the most amazing camping paradise! This provincial park is a series of 3+ interconnected lakes, some only accessible by boat. The camp spots are secluded and gorgeous, right on the lake. Here are some ideas for your trip.
You can park at Village Bay Lake and launch your boat or kayak at the dock here. Go past the cottages and take the connecting stream to Mine Lake. This will get you to the start of the camping areas. The campsites are well treed, have a toilet but no picnic tables. Some come with their own sandy beach. Depending on the time of year, you can scout out the spots and take the best one however, it can be quite busy in the summer and sometimes there are no spots left.
Another place where you can park and launch your boat is Mine Lake. There is no dock here but it provides closer access to the campsites. The parking lot however is small and often full.
There are some motor restrictions on these lakes. There are no services here (ie store or gas) so you need to bring all your supplies with you. The closest store is in Heriot Bay.
These lakes are perfect for kayaking, canoeing, swimming and fishing for trout. Be sure to check out the rock bluffs for diving on Village Bay Lake, a popular swimming spot.
You can park at Village Bay Lake and launch your boat or kayak at the dock here. Go past the cottages and take the connecting stream to Mine Lake. This will get you to the start of the camping areas. The campsites are well treed, have a toilet but no picnic tables. Some come with their own sandy beach. Depending on the time of year, you can scout out the spots and take the best one however, it can be quite busy in the summer and sometimes there are no spots left.
Another place where you can park and launch your boat is Mine Lake. There is no dock here but it provides closer access to the campsites. The parking lot however is small and often full.
There are some motor restrictions on these lakes. There are no services here (ie store or gas) so you need to bring all your supplies with you. The closest store is in Heriot Bay.
These lakes are perfect for kayaking, canoeing, swimming and fishing for trout. Be sure to check out the rock bluffs for diving on Village Bay Lake, a popular swimming spot.
Written November 9, 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.
76AstonV8
Victoria, Canada89 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
Beautiful, tranquil, peaceful, quiet... a perfect place to escape! Main Lake is connected to Village Bay Lake via a shallow channel that snakes through reeds, which makes for an exciting adventure in a canoe, kayak or row boat. Main Lake has several great camping spots. Swimming is awesome too, with warm, clean water.
Written June 12, 2016
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.
Cyclotherapist
Portland, OR24 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
Hiking in this beautiful park in the center of Quadra Island is a terrific experience. The dense rainforest is filled with ferns and all manner of green density. The lakes are fresh water and fine to paddle or take a swim.
Written September 26, 2016
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.
FarFlungStarling
Qualicum Beach, Canada965 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
Access this park, dock and hiking trails by gravel roads actively traveled by logging trucks. The roads are narrow and wind so visibility is sometimes very limited. Drive slowly and use caution. We drove to the Surge Narrows Trail which is fairly challenging as it is narrow and overgrown, sometimes difficult to find and it requires some climbing over and around obstacles and up and down hills. Someone hung a pair of crutches over the sign at the trails entrance. Quite funny! The trail provides some scenic views out over Surge Narrows but most of it is bush wacking. The road down to the boat ramp is very steep - you need 4WD to use it.
Written June 16, 2016
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.
Nkod O
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
Water muddy, leeches all over, not worth the expensive ferry ride and camping site. Got eaten alive by bugs, I found that many photos online showed the lake to be empty and peaceful but when I went there was a lot of people and very loud
Written June 16, 2024
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.
campergirl
British Columbia, Canada2 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
Windy, buggy, lake bottom muddy, and leaches. Would not recommend and certainly not worth the expensive ferry ride.
Written April 23, 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.
Em364
Vancouver, Canada1 contribution
Jul 2018 • Family
Terrible place. Too many bugs. Cold at night and wind on the lake that made boating very difficult. I would not recommend this place for families with small children, and certainly the weather can't be depended on. I didn't know there were black flies and horse flies on the coast of BC. Now I know!!!
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.
Jean S
Ashby de la Zouch, UK544 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
We stopped here briefly on our way elsewhere and what a wonderful location it is. We stood on the lake shore and there was not a sound anywhere. It was amazing. The information board makes it clear that this is wilderness country and has all sorts of useful information.
Written June 27, 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.
Jack M
Parksville, Canada10 contributions
Sept 2014 • Family
Quiet, beautiful, excellent campgrounds. A paddler's delight.
Easy access directly from the local road.
Easy access directly from the local road.
Written October 6, 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.
I was wondering if I went all the way to quadra island and main lake and found campsites were full are there any other campsites I could use as a backup?
Written July 9, 2016
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