One of the little things I have always liked about Buntzen Lake is the collection of old wooden signs scattered around the recreation area and trails.

Many of the older signs were made from wood with simple painted or carved lettering, often in yellow. Some were located in busy areas near South Beach and the parking lots, while others were hidden away beside quieter trails where relatively few visitors would ever notice them.

Most of the photographs on this page were taken around 2014. Some of these signs may have since been replaced, moved, or removed, so I now think of this page as a small photographic record of an earlier generation of Buntzen Lake signage.

The Buntzen Lake Entrance Sign

The entrance sign was one of the more colourful signs around Buntzen Lake and looked quite different from the simpler yellow-lettered trail signs.

The Buntzen Lake entrance sign photographed in 2014.

The Entrance Sign in 1995

The entrance looked quite different in 1995. The photograph below is not especially high resolution, but it provides an interesting comparison with the later entrance sign.

The Buntzen Lake entrance sign in 1995.

Old Signs Near Swan Falls

Some of the more interesting signs were in quieter parts of the trail system. Near the Swan Falls trailhead, I found several older wooden signs that many visitors probably never noticed.

An old wooden sign near the Swan Falls trailhead.

This one had almost become part of the forest, surrounded by moss and vegetation.

An old sign slowly disappearing into the surrounding vegetation.

Signs Near the Parking Area

Some of the older signs around the main recreation area were much more practical, including signs for boating and dogs.

An old boat launching sign near the parking area.

An older dog information sign near the parking area.

South Beach Warning Sign

This warning sign was located around South Beach. Like many of the older signs, it used a very simple wooden design that blended into the recreation area much more than modern metal or plastic signage would.

An older warning sign at South Beach.

The Warden’s Office

Even the Buntzen Lake Warden’s Office had its own small wooden sign.

The old wooden sign at the Buntzen Lake Warden’s Office.

Viewpoint Signs

A number of small “Viewpoint” signs could also be found along the trail system. This one was on the east side of the Buntzen Lake Trail.

An old viewpoint sign on the east side of the Buntzen Lake Trail.

Lakeview Trail Signs

Lakeview Trail also had several of the classic wooden signs with yellow lettering.

An old Lakeview Trail sign.

Another old sign along Lakeview Trail.

Signs on the West Side of Buntzen Lake

The west side of the Buntzen Lake Trail had a few directional signs that always struck me as slightly unnecessary because there often did not seem to be much choice about which way to go.

An old directional sign on the west side of Buntzen Lake.

Another old trail sign along the west side of the lake.

Equestrian Sign on Pumphouse Road

Buntzen Lake’s trail system has historically accommodated more than just hikers. This tiny equestrian sign on Pumphouse Road was easy to miss.

A small equestrian sign on Pumphouse Road.

A Sign That Had Seen Better Days

Some signs survived better than others. This one had clearly spent a long time exposed to Buntzen Lake’s wet coastal climate.

A very weathered old wooden sign.

Small Pieces of Buntzen Lake History

Signs are easy to overlook, but they are part of the history of a recreation area. Designs change, trail names and routes evolve, and newer signs gradually replace older ones.

Looking back at photographs like these is interesting because they record details that may otherwise disappear without anyone really noticing.

For more about the history of the area, see my Buntzen Lake History page.

The photographs on this page are historical and mainly date from around 2014, with the entrance-sign photograph from 1995 noted separately. Current signage, trail directions, and recreation-area rules may differ.