Lizard Lake

Lizard Lake Nature Trail is part of a BC Forest Recreation Site located on the westcoast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada near the community of Port Renfrew, BC. Lizard Lake is a small lake and stands at an elevation of 298 feet.

The lake is named after the population of salamanders which live at the lake. The wet forest floor covered in moss, ferns and salal - along with the forest of cedar and fir trees - is an ideal environment for the salamanders to thrive. However, beware that this is also home to wildlife like bears and cougars. So be aware of your surroundings.

Another unique feature of the lake is the large 80 -100 foot boardwalk pier extending out from the shore of Lizard Lake. From the pier, extended out on the lake, people can fish, swim and launch canoes. Some of the other activities enjoyed at the lake include hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, sightseeing, wildlife watching, camping and suntanning.

There is a sandy beach on the lake. There is a small wilderness campsite nearby. Some campsites are drive in sites and some are walk in sites. All include picnic tables and fire pits. There are pit toilets in the park.

The hiking trail at Lizard Lake is a 1.5 kilometre loop trail circling the lake. It is considered an easy route but it can get muddy and slippery so prepare with good foot wear. It should take less than an hour to complete. And if you require additional activity there are more trails and gravel roads near Lizard Lake to explore.

Most who fish the area arrive at Lizard Lake from April to June and some come in October. All come to catch rainbow trout. There is a roof top boat launch in the park plus some pit toilets. Some come and fish not far from Lizard Lake up on Gordon River. All fishing in BC requires a licence.

How to Get to Lizard Lake

Travel to the community of Port Renfrew, BC on Vancouver Island. The recreation BC Forest Recreation Site is located 18 kilometres northeast of Port Renfrew on Harris Creek Main FSR (Forest Service Road). It is an active gravel logging road complete with logging trucks. Always drive with your lights on and logging trucks have the right of way. There are pull outs and gravel shoulders to pull out on to give way to the large trucks.