Lake View Park (also called the Rawal Lake View Point or Rawal Lake Promenade) is a large CDA-run park on the edge of Rawal Lake, near Malpur village on Islamabad’s eastern side. It is a favourite with local families: lawns and picnic spots by the water, a big walk-in aviary, and a cluster of paid activities from paintball to rock climbing. Come for a relaxed afternoon by the lake rather than for a single headline sight.
Plan your visit to Lake View Park
- Entry: free or a small fee; activities extra
- Daily, from about 10:00 to late evening
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
History of Lake View Park
Rawal Lake is a reservoir created by the Rawal Dam on the Korang River, completed in the early 1960s to supply water to Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The Capital Development Authority later developed the lakeside into Lake View Park, and its walk-in aviary was inaugurated in 2013.
The park also hosts festivals, flower shows and national-day celebrations, especially in spring. More on Wikipedia.
Attractions at Lake View Park
- Rawal Lake views: shady lawns and viewpoints along the shore, with the Margalla Hills behind.
- Walk-in aviary: a large netted aviary (about 80 feet high, opened in 2013) where you walk among the birds; it is one of the biggest in the region.
- Activity zones: operators inside the park have included a rock-climbing gym (Ibex Club), a paintball field, a motorsports area and the F1 Traxx family amusement area; what is running changes, so check on arrival.
- Picnic areas and play areas: pagodas, benches and children’s playgrounds.
Things to Do at Lake View Park
- Walk the lakeside: late afternoon light on the lake is the best time.
- Visit the aviary: go in the morning when the birds are most active.
- Boating: boating has been offered on the lake; availability and days vary, so ask at the park.
- Family activities: paintball, climbing and amusement rides are charged separately.
- Picnic: bring a blanket and snacks; weekends are busy.
Lake View Park – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Entry: free or a small fee (the CDA abolished entry fees at most public parks in 2023; check at the gate). Activities and rides are paid separately.
- Hours: generally open daily from around 10:00 until late evening; individual attractions keep their own hours.
How Long to Spend at Lake View Park
Allow 2 to 3 hours for a walk, the aviary and a picnic; longer if you try the activities.
How to Get There
- By taxi or ride-hailing: Careem, inDrive and Yango all serve the park; it is about 20 to 30 minutes from central Islamabad via Murree Road or the Park Road.
- From Rawalpindi: around 20 to 30 minutes by car via Murree Road.
- From the airport: Islamabad International Airport is roughly 40 km away, about 45 to 60 minutes by car.
- Public transport: local vans run along Murree Road; get off near the Malpur / Lake View turn and take a short taxi or rickshaw ride to the gate.
Arriving at Islamabad International Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby Lake View Park
There are food stalls and small cafes inside the park, good for tea, snacks and barbecue. For more choice, head to the Blue Area or the F-6 and F-7 markets in central Islamabad, about 25 minutes away.
Other Attractions Nearby Lake View Park
- Pakistan Monument: the national monument and museum on the Shakarparian hills.
- Lok Virsa Heritage Museum: Pakistan’s folk-heritage museum in Shakarparian.
- Faisal Mosque: Islamabad’s landmark mosque.
- Daman-e-Koh: viewpoint over the city in Margalla Hills National Park.
- Japanese Park: a children’s park at the foot of the Margalla Hills.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Islamabad: the Blue Area and sector G-6 are handy for both Rawal Lake and the city sights.
- Get a Pakistan eSIM before you land (foreign phones may need PTA registration for long stays).
Lake View Park is Islamabad’s lakeside playground: free or low-cost entry, lawns along Rawal Lake, a walk-in aviary and paid activities for families. It is best on a weekday afternoon, when the light is soft and the crowds are thin.
Combine it with the nearby Pakistan Monument, or head across town to the Faisal Mosque for sunset.
