BC Parks Ranger Boat, Main Lake, Quadra Island

Main Lake Provincial Park is located on the east side of Quadra Island, off the east coast of Vancouver Island. The 3,539-hectare park protects an area that is biologically exceptional.

Over 72 bird species and 234 plant species inhabit the area. The wildlife in the park includes wolves, cougars, owls, Bald Eagles, hawks, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon and wintering swans.

Hiking, wilderness camping, canoeing and kayaking are just some of the recreation opportunities available to park users. The many spectacular physical features such as limestone sinkholes, waterfalls, narrow channels and the close proximity of marine and fresh water ecosystems enhance nature viewing in the park. There are user-created portage routes and hiking trails in the park, a wilderness area that is not regularly serviced or patrolled.

Main Lake Provincial Park, Quadra Island, BC

A panel of pictographs in red ochre on Main Lake records past native presence in the park. There is also evidence of an old portage route from Yeatman Bay.

Main Lake, Village Bay Lake and Mine Lake are connected by narrow, shallow marshes navigable by canoes and dinghies only. The Main Lake chain of interconnected lakes forms the largest freshwater waterway in the Gulf and Discovery Islands. Kayakers paddling the lakes will be treated to beautiful scenery, sandy beaches on small islands and cozy bays - with hardly any other paddlers with which to share this slice of paradise!

Quadra Island is reached by ferry from Campbell River to Quathiaski Cove.

Main Lake Provincial Park may be accessed by vehicle via Village Bay Road. Small boats, canoes and kayaks can be launched at Village Bay Lake (at the bridge on Village Bay Road) or at Main Lake alongside Surge Narrows Road. These are the only road-access points to the lake and park.