home | media room | document library | contact us

Regional Parks

Parks & Environmental Services
490 Atkins Avenue
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V9B 2Z8
tel: 250.478.3344
fax: 250.478.5416
Email email

Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park

Outdoor opportunities for everyone

This popular recreation area offers outdoor opportunities for everyone.

The lake is used cooperatively by swimmers, wind surfers, sailors, water-skiers, fishers and rowers. Some park trails are designated multi-use, for hikers, cyclists and horse riders, while others are for hiking only.

Features

  • Large freshwater lake for swimming, canoeing and fishing (Elk Lake is stocked with catchable Rainbow Trout)
  • Walking and equestrian trails through forest, field and wetlands
  • Beaches, picnic areas and a fishing float with access for people with walking disabilities
  • A Nature Centre

Trail Rating: Easy

Size: 442.77 hectares
Location: Patricia Bay Highway (#17) in Saanich
Established: 1966
Hours: sunrise to sunset

Things to Do

Beaver Lake

Beaver Beach, at the south end of Beaver Lake, has a shallow, sandy beach — perfect for swimming, picnicking and canoeing around the offshore islands. The old Filter Beds area contains group picnic sites, and provides access to quiet woodland trails.

You can use the nearby ponds for retriever training, or the Equestrian Centre to exercise and train your horse. Both these areas are under license agreements. For group activities, consult your local retriever or equestrian clubs for access.

Nature Centre

Regional Parks staff and volunteer naturalists can answer your questions and point you in the right direction on the trails. Pick up a brochure, and check out the interpretive displays on the park's natural and cultural history. The nature centre is located near the main Beaver Lake parking lot off Elk Lake Drive in Saanich. See directions under "How to Get There."

Nature Centre Hours:
June-August: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, holiday Mondays, 12-4pm.
September: Saturdays, Sundays, holiday Mondays, 12 - 4pm.
October-May: Closed.
The Nature Centre is wheelchair accessible.

Survey

Have you visited the nature centre? We want your feedback.

Your feedback is important to us in order to monitor and improve our services.

Elk Lake

To the north, Elk Lake offers even more. At Eagle Beach, swim, picnic under the Pacific willow trees, launch your scull from the Rowing Centre or start a hike south to Beaver Lake.

At Hamsterly Beach, join wind surfers skimming the waters, sailors seeking a strong breeze and fishers searching for the elusive “big one.”

How to Get There

Beaver Lake Entrance

Follow the Pat Bay Highway from Victoria, and take the Royal Oak Drive exit. Turn left on Royal Oak Drive to cross over the highway, then right on Elk Lake Drive to reach the park entrance on the left.

Elk Lake Entrance

Follow the Pat Bay Highway from Victoria. Turn left on Sayward Road, left again on Hamsterly Road, then right on Brookleigh Road, which leads to the park entrance on the left

Allow approximately 20 minutes driving time from Victoria.

Public Transportation

Beaver Lake

Take BC Transit bus #70 or #72 from Victoria to Elk Lake Drive at the Beaver Lake entrance. The bus stop is at the park entrance.

Elk Lake

Take BC Transit bus #70 or #72 from Victoria to the Pat Bay Highway at Sayward Road. The park is a short walk from the bus stop.

Contact BC Transit for scheduling information.