West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park
3.9
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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.


3.9
3.9 of 5 bubbles17 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
6
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
2

BFAinBc
Courtenay, Canada11 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2020 • Couples
This waterfront park connects to the Cowichan Valley Trail via a lush rainforest path. To access this path from the parking area go past the outhouses down to the grassy clearing and then back out to the road little just a few metres south of the change rooms. We rode to Kinsol Trestle which is 10km round trip to the north. We also went 5km south to put in a 20km loop. About 3km south of park connector are some views of the lake. This section of the valley trail is more open than west of Glenora and the surfacing in better condition. We saw a couple of snakes on the trail. Back at the park there are 4 picnic tables and a roped swim area. There wasn't much of beach with the water splashing up onto a grassy slope. The view is great as is the trek thru the forest from the parking lot.
Written June 18, 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.

Casey L
Nanaimo, Canada117 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017 • Friends
Great albeit SMALL park to visit. Went there recently for a picnic lunch. The online description said there was a picnic area and I "assume" this meant picnic tables. None in site. Logic would say that there would be--otherwise would not ALL areas of a park be picnic areas if you simply sit on the ground?

Not a major issue but those who were planning on sitting at a table may wish to take note. Nice park but very small trail system and one large grassy field at lakefront.
Written July 27, 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.

ProfAragon
Victoria, Canada1,013 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017 • Friends
It's the high season here, so there are lots of people. That said, Shawnigan Lake is gorgeous. Be mindful of traffic on the highway, as it can get backed up.
Written July 21, 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.

CALvin
Calgary229 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017 • Family
We tried 3 spots on Shawnigan Lake and finally give up. You need water shoes, as all the beaches are very rocky. My family does a lot of swimming; lakes, ocean beaches, pools, rivers in the mountains. They were very disappointed in the swimming or the very small beaches for such a large lake. Most of the beaches are private, as we found with Lake Cowichan. Our vacation rental owners had suggested the swimming at these lakes but it did not work for our swimming family.
Written September 18, 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.

FarFlungStarling
Qualicum Beach, Canada960 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2017 • Couples
We stopped to stretch our legs before the long drive home. There are washrooms and a parking area with a sign that lists picnic tables, swimming, controlled dog walking and coat hangers?? I think I saw a change house. There is a short path through the woods, then an open meadow before the grass ends at the waters edge. No sandy beach and no picnic tables that I could see. Nice view of the lake and the trees were beautiful but not much else of interest. We were in and out in about a half hour.
Written October 31, 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.

Brigitte H
Salt Spring Island, Canada152 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2017 • Couples
After cycling 20 km from the Glenora Trailheads Park in Duncan, we were looking for a peaceful place to rest and enjoy our lunch. We saw the sign for the park from the trail and decided to stop in. First off, there are no benches or picnic tables so we sat on the ground (watch out for dog poop!). Then after about one minute of peace and quiet (there was only one other couple there quietly enjoying themselves), some jerk showed up with two dogs and proceeded to play with them loudly at the water's edge. There was so much barking and commotion that we moved to the extreme edge of the park but because it's so small, couldn't get away from the noise. Also stepped in dog poop with my cycling shoes. This place is a public health disgrace.
Written September 30, 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.

Roodeberglodge
Alton, UK710 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017 • Couples
Easy parking, and a gentle 3 minute stroll to a large grassy area which leads right up to the edge of the lake.

A few pebbles under foot but a lovely location for a dip (and its warmer than the sea!)

Just wish we'd brought a blanket and some food for a picnic!
Written August 23, 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.

143863
Shawnigan Lake, Canada33 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2016 • Friends
A great place to day visit. There is no overnight stays, but the picnic area is great for meals and get togethers. Good swimming area for small children as well as adults.
Written October 18, 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.

Paul O
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2016 • Family
E had the whole park to ourselves.hard to believe on such a perfect day.had a great time with the kid s
Written August 17, 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.

MikeV57
Chatham, Canada487 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2016 • Family
We flew out west to visit the grandkids and took them here to run around and swim. Great scenery, plenty of shade and open sunny spots. The water was a great temperature to cool off and go for a dip. Care should be taken with swimming as there is a fair amount of tall weeds once you get out past chest deep.
Written June 17, 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.

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WEST SHAWNIGAN LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK (March 2025) All You MUST Know Before You Go (with Reviews)

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