Bedwell Lake

July 15-16, 2023

Distance: 12km round-trip

Elevation gain: 637m

Time required: 4-5 hours total

Backpacking to Bedwell Lake was my first time visiting Strathcona Provincial Park. I was in Campbell River visiting my boyfriend who was working there over the summer. I had really wanted to go backpacking and visit Strathcona Park so we decided on Bedwell Lake.

The trailhead is about 7km south of Buttle Lake. The trail climbs fairly steeply at first but starts to level out after about 3km. It passes Baby Bedwell Lake, which has its own campground, before reaching Bedwell Lake shortly after.

View of Bedwell Lake

There are several tent pads and a bear cache at the campground. It was very full. We were lucky to get a tent pad. If we had come only a couple of hours later, there would have been no room left.

There is a trail heading east of Bedwell Lake that leads to other lakes such as Little Jim Lake, Big Jim Lake, and Cream Lake. Wilderness camping is permitted at these lakes. If we had had more time, I would have liked to explore those lakes, but we were only staying the one night.

We were lucky to have great weather - it was hot and sunny. We went swimming in Bedwell Lake, exploring rock outcrops nearby.

Nate and I heading out from Bedwell Lake

This hike is not particularly challenging. It would be fairly easy to do as a day hike but it is also nice to spend the night at the lake.