Vancouver island has some incredible ancient petroglyphs or ancient rock carvings. One of the best examples is the K’aka’win petroglyphs, (also known as the Sproat Lake petroglyphs) which are carved into a vertical slab of rock within Sproat Lake Provincial Park. This is another great stop-off on any road trip to Tofino as you can reach them on a short stroll along the lake. There is a floating dock that allows you get get pretty close-up to see the intricate details without causing any damage.

K’aka’win is pronounced k-ah-kah-win, with a glottal stop after the k. The “a” sounds like the “a” in “father. It’s the Nuu-chah-nulth word for Orca. One of the prominent figures in the rocks is an orca, which holds great significance in Nuu-chah-nulth beliefs and stories.

K’aka’win Petroglyphs – the basics

Distance: 1.5-2 km depending on where you park.
Cumulative Elevation gain: None.
Time: 30 mins  (we recorded 20 mins moving time on strava)
What to bring: You don’t need anything, unless you fancy a picnic by the lake.
Facilities: There is quite a lot here – two campgrounds so water, toilets and even hot showers. There is a day use picnic area and a boat launch.
Dogs: Great for dogs, but you should keep them on a leash.
How hard is it? Super easy.

K’aka’win Petroglyphs – Getting started

It is very easy to find the Sproat Lake Petroglyphs even if you don’t have a map. We parked at the far end of the Sproat Lake Provincial Park Campground where there is plenty of space. Walk towards the lake and you’ll see a sign to go left towards the petroglyphs.

Before you start walking, there is a sign with basic information about k‘aka’win and a photo from the 1970s when the carvings were brighter. The trail is only around 500m, in a beautiful shady section of the park, looking out to Sproat Lake.

Watch for the floating dock

The best views of k‘aka’win are from the floating dock right next to the rock carvings. This was built to give everyone a good view of the petroglyphs, but also to protect them. Please don’t climb up close or deface them. I would have thought that goes without saying, but it sounds like it happens fairly regularly. 

Up close to K’aka’win

These petroglyphs were carved by the ancestors of the Hupačasath people who are part of the Nuu-chah-nulth (Nookta) First Nation, likely thousands of years ago. The carvings are believed to depict spiritual and mythological figures and scenes that held great significance in the beliefs and stories of the Nuu-chah-nulth. The name k’aka’win means “something stuck on its back,” referring to the dorsal fin of an orca. Orcas were seen as reincarnations of great chiefs; They are thought of as beings that could transform between human and animal forms.

It can be hard to work out what each of the carvings is depicting, as many of them are mythical marine creatures. You might be able to spot a seawolf (half wolf, half whale). The best explanation I found about the various creatures is here. That whole site is worth a read if you’d like to find out more!

History of K’aka’win

Although this site has been known to the Nuu-chah-nulth for centuries, Sproat Lake was named after Gilbert Sproat; Who was a Scottish settler who helped to found the first industrial sawmill in Port Alberni. He was also an Indian Reserve Commissioner and was sympathetic to Indigenous land right claims. Sproat’s 1868 book, Scenes and Studies of Savage Life, was the first writing about these petroglyphs. The book was about his experiences interacting with local First Nations. Sproat Lake Provincial Park was established on June 6, 1966 when the lands were transferred to the province by MacMillan Bloedel. This is the same company that gave the province the land for Cathedral Grove. I wonder if the owners were similarly resistant about this land!?

Sproat Lake Campground

If you fancy staying in this gorgeous area, there are two campgrounds. The Upper campground is North of the highway with 44 slightly more private sites. The lower campground is much closer to the lake, but the sites are all in a line, so less private.

• Available sites:
  Reservable vehicle accessible sites: 44 (Upper) and 15 (Lower) plus 5 walk ins.
• Cost: 
  • $25 per party per night in summer,
  • or $13 per night in the off season (16 October to 14 April)
• Dates:
  • Upper Campground is open from May 1 to September 30. Closed in winter.
  • Lower Campground is open year round. Book between April 15 to September 2.

Visiting Sproat lake was lovely, but the cherry on the top of this stop-off was getting to see the K’aka’win petroglyphs. I love that you can experience a bit of Hupačasath culture up close. This was a very short walk so it was great to have a mix of history and gorgeous views. It also looks like a lovely spot to camp for a few nights!