What Is Tlowils Lake Recreation Site
Tlowils Lake Recreation Site is one of the prettiest campgrounds I’ve been to. It is a recreation site created by a joint partnership between Sayward Futures and Recreation Sites and Trails BC. The campground is nestled among old growth Western Red Cedars, Hemlock and Western Fir. Some of the Cedars are between 4-8+ feet in diameter and over 100 ft tall.
I was very pleased to hear about this little gem. The 5 campsites are very clean and well maintained. They have picnic tables, fire rings and there is a pit toilet. A natural boat launch next to a man made dock is available for car top boats, kayaks etc. Only electric motors are allowed on Tlowils Lake.
How To Find Your Way To Tlowils Lake Recreation Site
Make your way up Vancouver Island to the village of Sayward junction. From there turn left and immediately turn right onto Dyer Road. Follow Dyer Road for about 500 metres and turn right on to Salmon River Road. Follow the Salmon River Road for roughly 350 metres and turn left on to the White River Forest Service Road.
Once you are on the White River FSR drive for roughly 2km where you stay right. It is a natural turn and eventually loops around and comes back to where you just turned right. Here you start climbing up the mountain. Go for 3.5km and turn right again onto Branch A.
Follow Branch A road for another 1.75km and turn right onto Tlowils Road. You will immediately cross the Tlowils River bridge. From there it is only 2-3km to the campground. The total distance from the Sayward junction is roughly 10 km.
The roads in when I visited in March 2026 were in good shape with a grader working them due to logging in the area. Be cautious when driving and always give logging trucks the right of way and pull over if you can. That much weight makes if mandatory to stay in the center of the road. Being a long haul truck driver in my younger days showed me what can happen if a big truck gets to close to the edge of the road and it gives way.
How To Find Your Way To Tlowils Lake Recreation Site Using Google Maps
Just fill in your current location where you will be leaving and the map will open with all the pertinent information for your travels.
Fishing At Tlowils Lake Recreation Site
While I was there I hooked into a few very small sized trout but never got to see them as they shook my hook. I did however, see some nice ones surface to what looked like a slurping motion of some aquatic insect.
My method of choice was using a worm and bobber with a barbless hook. I was going to switch to a barbed hook but decided against it until such time I could use my boat. I had forgot to bring along my fly fishing gear otherwise I would have had better luck with a Chironmid imatation.
A couple of gents from Nanaimo area were up fishing the Adams River and stopped by to try their luck with a fly but didn’t catch anything. The wind had picked up a little which hindered their efforts also. Had a good chat about fishing the Adams and Eve Rivers which I had done years ago.
The only fishing regulation restrictions for Tlowils Lake is no power boats. Only electric motors with a max of 7.5 kw allowed.
Tidbits
Walk Thru Tour Video of Tlowils Lake Recreation Site
Summing Up Tlowils Lake Recreation Site
All in all I found Tlowils Lake Recreation Site to be one of my favourite campgrounds on Vancouver Island to date. The surrounding forest was surreal and magical. While I was there a couple of Barrows Goldeneye ducks dropped by occasionally to visit with me. They didn’t seem to be afraid as long as I kept my distance.
A pair of Canada Geese also paid a visit but they didn’t trust me at all and kept their distance. Lots of mountain Humming Birds, song birds, Robins and the occasional Owl also made their presence known. There seemed to be Woodpeckers every where as I could hear them across the lake and from within the campsite also.
Four different couples also visited while I stayed there and one couple spent a night and left the next day. I met a nice couple on quads that came to visit and who were staying at the White River Resort in Sayward. There was still one couple there when I left. They had attempted to get to Stewart Lake Recreation Site but had to turn back due to a slide which was a little too much for their SUV.
As for popularity I can only speculate due to its beauty and remoteness. I imagine during the summer months those who know of it will be there without hesitation. Personally, I will be back one day in the near future to visit again probably when I visit Stewart Lake.
Don’t forget to be a responsible camper and pack out what you pack in along with anyone’s garbage left behind if you can. Also remember that campfire etiquette is a must to ensure this pristine wilderness remains as is. Never be a lazy camper it just isn’t worth it.
The law states that you keep a shovel and 20 litre pail of water nearby in case sparks land on the many grasses and pine needles etc that are around the campground area. Never leave a campfire unattended for any reason and ensure it is out before going to bed and leaving for home.
For more information on the current status of campfires and bans visit the BC Wildfire Service.
If you have the time and inclination, I can vouch for this beautiful little gem of a campground on Vancouver Island. You won’t be disappointed if you decide to visit. Enjoy yourself and be safe out there.
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