Things to do in Shawnigan Lake
THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Shawnigan Lake
Things to Do in Shawnigan Lake
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- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Beaches
Multi-day Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours
Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours
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Surfing & Windsurfing • Boat Tours
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Fishing Charters & Tours
What travellers are saying
- Colleen G1 contributionIt really was a magical day in the forest with hot and cold sensational tubs and sauna and fire pit! Loved it! I will be back again to experience all the fun againWritten February 24, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BFAinBcCourtenay, Canada11 contributionsThis 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, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lisa R1 contributionMy 6-year-old son and I had a fascinating and highly informative tour of the Shawnigan Lake Museum with Lori Trealor, the Executive Director. She showed us old photos and models of the Kinsol Trestle and local artifacts from around the Shawnigan Lake area. Some of the local artifacts included a butter churner, hotel switchboard, typewriter, organ, boat motors, equipment for cutting trees (axes, chainsaws, etc.) grocery store items and farming equipment. There is so much to see! At the end of our tour, we were treated to some films in the little movie theatre about waterskiing and fishing. Lori really made the museum artifacts come alive during our visit. We had a new perspective on the Shawnigan Lake area and felt inspired to visit the Kinsol Trestle after our visit to the museum. All in all, we would highly recommend visiting this museum! It is a real treasure.Written June 14, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- KathymarshallPenticton, Canada77 contributionsNice easy drive. Last kilometre is gravel. No facilities that I saw. Steep but a quick walk from the parking lot to some deep pools by the bridge. Great for a refreshing dip. Water levels were still good at this time of the year. Lots of old logging road converted to trails to hike on. You can hike to the Kinsol trestle from this access too. I will definitely be going back here.Written July 25, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mark W5 contributionsAmazing people, Amazing stuff, wether it’s a large purchase your looking to make or just a little gift for someone, lots of fantastic thingsWritten April 21, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Laura RCalgary, Canada8 contributionsLovely spot to swim on a hot day. There is a small gravel beach for pulling up canoes, kayaks and paddle boards. Launch from the recreation road boat launch or one of the many road allowances on the east or west side of the lake.Written September 7, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Bridget_Likes_SunVictoria, Canada115 contributionsI’ve spent my summers at Shawnigan lake my whole life but had never hiked up Mount Baldy. Well this was the year.
The beginning of the hike is an access road that takes you up to a cell tower. That part of the hike is the reason for the four star review. The access road was very steep, loose gravel, and not terribly scenic. But once you get to the cell tower you have great views of Shawnigan Lake below you and from there the really fun part of the hike begins.
The trails that take you up to the summit are challenging. You will be scrambling up rocks and grabbing onto tree roots for support. It’s steep, but it’s fun. Kids loved it. Very much like a natural obstacle course.
When you get to the top you get serious 360 degree views. You see all the way out to Mount Baker and the Olympic Mountains. All the islands and ocean spread out as far as the eye can see. Then on the other side is Shawnigan lake and you can see out to the Sooke Basin.
Now if you keep hiking south you head down a little ways and you will find a swing. You can swing out and take in the view of the lake. Very fun.
My mum says there is another way to get up to the cell tower without hiking the access road. We might try to find that next time we go.
Overall a fun and challenging hike. Hope you enjoy.Written August 5, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - TideOverBC1 contributionAlex is an epic guide. Full of good stories and knowledgeable conversation. He supplies really nice patagonia gear that kept myself and 70 year old dad comfortable over the 8hr early March drift. Without his specific coaching I might not have hooked any fish. He expertly taught us how to use a range of different techniques and worked with us to hone in our skills. When he was satisfied with my technique so were the fish and I got to play a bunch of trout and numerous steelhead as I demo’d different gear. He knows how to put you on fish like a magician…just to state that more clearly. We will be booking with Alex again !Written March 9, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jeff SVancouver, Canada19 contributionsGot the absolute pleasure of spending the morning with Lee and Kat last Saturday... Amazing spirit , attitude and most of all very very knowledgeable and patient !!
Beautiful boat and more board choices than you know what to do with.
Would I recommend ? Heck Yeah ! and hope to see them again this summer !!!!
Jeff & Albert Einstein ( aka Vince ) aka VicWritten July 28, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - KristieE284Nanaimo, Canada3 contributionsMe and my good friend decided to go for a day on the Cowichan river. Sure glad we choose Alex west with steelheadfishingvancouver.com we had an amazing time the fishing was a bit slow but still managed to hook a few fish, our guide was very helpful and did his best to explain where the fish should be holding..I would recommend this trip if your a beginner up to an expert thanks again for the great day on the water..
clint mills..WAWritten January 15, 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
