Stunning and spacious, Canada’s Great Central Lake is situated on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island. It is situated northwest of Port Alberni and north of Sproat Lake. Spanning 45 kilometers (28 miles) in length, with an area of 50.85 square kilometers (19.63 square miles) and an average depth of 124 meters (407 feet), it is the second deepest lake on Vancouver Island, reaching depths of up to 250 meters (820 feet).
Nestled among low mountains and surrounded by second-growth forests, Great Central Lake is long and narrow, except for Trestle Bay at the eastern end. A dam on the east side controls the water level. Approximately 70 residents live in float houses along the shoreline, adding a unique charm to the area.
The lake offers a huge range of activities to accommodate all interests. These include fishing, boating, skiing, wakeboarding, swimming, hiking, camping, and ATVing. Notable features around the lake include natural waterslides at Dorothy Creek and the magnificent Della Falls. The lake’s clear waters have a typical Secchi depth of 15.5 meters (51 feet) and serve as the headwaters of the Stamp River, a popular spot for steelhead salmon fishing.
Great Central Lake, an oligotrophic lake, has a rich history. It was named “Central Lake” in the Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition route plan in 1864, and “Great Central” Lake was officially adopted in 1948. From 1970 to 1974, the lake was part of an experiment to enhance sockeye salmon production through annual fertilization.
The Della Falls Trail is a major attraction. Hikers can take a 7-hour trek to the base of Della Falls, one of Canada’s highest waterfalls at 440 meters (1,440 feet). The trail is accessible only by boat or water taxi and has multiple campsites.
The closest city is Port Alberni, which is roughly 16 kilometers from the campsite at Great Central Lake RV Resort. It is a desirable location since it provides a variety of services. These include grocery stores, fishing excursions, equipment suppliers, and shops that hire out kayaks and paddleboards.
