Buttle Lake Boat Rentals
Canoes, kayaks and SUPs available for rent in the heart of Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island.
Open for the 2026 season!
Reservations only till June 12, book now!
Boat Hut open daily starting June 13!
Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island is home to Buttle Lake, the largest body of water in the area.
Canoeing, kayaking, and angling are popular on Buttle Lake and Upper Campbell Lake, which are home to five marine campsites.
Ready to explore? We’ve got you covered.
Stop by and say hello.
Location: Buttle Lake Campground boat launch, Strathcona Park, Vancouver Island
Hours of Operations:
June 1-11 are reservations only.
June 12 closed for staff training.
Starting June 13, 2026, we are at the Boat Hut daily at 10am and 130pm, except on Tuesdays we are only there at 130pm.
September, we are not at the Boat Hut daily. We are open by reservation only.
We are closed October to June of each year.
Questions?
Email us at rentals@43k.ca.
The Details
The Boat Hut
Our rental kiosk can be found at Buttle Lake Campground boat launch in Strathcona Park. Take the first left, once you’re in the campground. Hours of operation listed below.
Half and Full Day Rentals
We offer half-day (3 hour) and full-day (6 hours, morning start only) rentals directly adjacent to the lake for convenience.
Booking
Book now, or stop by the Boat Hut to rent on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Fine Print
Participants 19 and younger require a parent/guardian signature to rent.
All paddlers are required to sign a Rental Agreement, Assumption of Risks and Waiver of Liability document prior to renting.
A credit card number must be left of file for security purposes.
Pets
Pets are allowed in canoes and on sit-on-top kayaks but must have their own lifejacket. At this time, we do not offer pet lifejacket rentals, so you will need to come prepared with your own.
Overnight Rentals
We are excited to offer overnight canoe and single kayak rentals to those with previous experience with multi-day canoeing and kayaking.
Wind Warning
Buttle Lake is known for its late morning/ afternoon winds. When exploring Buttle Lake via canoe or kayak you will want to be familiar with paddling in wind and plan your days accordingly.
Rescues on Buttle Lake can be delayed due to the remote nature of the lake.
Communication
Communication in Strathcona Park is limited as there is no phone service and wifi in the Park. Please come prepared with an emergency communication device.
Launching
You can launch directly from the Buttle Lake Campground boat launch and park your vehicle there for a fee of $10/ night.
If you wish to transport the boat to a different launch point, you will need to come prepared with both the knowledge and appropriate equipment to transport the boat on your vehicle.
Marine Site Nightly Fee
There is a BC Parks backcountry camping fee to stay at the marine sites. This can be paid at the Boat Hut.
$10/ adult (16+)/ night
$5/ youth (5-15)/ night
The Fine Print
Participants 19 and younger require a parent/guardian signature to rent.
All paddlers are required to sign a Rental Agreement, Assumption of Risks and Waiver of Liability document prior to renting.
A credit card number must be left of file for security purposes.
You will be required to leave a float plan with the Park Operator. Please download and complete one prior to arriving at the Boat Hut.
Booking
We are currently experiencing challenges with our booking site for multi-day rentals. To reserve a canoe or kayak overnight please send us an email with your desired dates and pick-up time.