Surrounded
by mountains, dissected by great rivers and bordered on the west by
the Pacific Ocean, the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast is a land of rugged splendour.
The region's provincial parks offer camping, picnics and day use facilities
on the banks of crystal clear lakes and streams. You can hike in alpine
meadows, view wildlife or relive the glory days of the Cariboo Gold
Rush. As in most B.C. parks, camping fees are reasonable and the facilities
range from basic to full service.
For
accurate up to date information on BC Parks, dates of operation and
reservations, visit the official BC Parks Site at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks
Here is a quick summary of some of the parks in the
region. As situations change frequently, this information is not presented
as accurate trip planning information and there is no guarantee of accuracy.
DO NOT plan a vacation without first checking the above BC Parks website
for ALL accurate and current information.
Big Bar | Bowron
Lake | Bull Canyon
Bridge Lake
| Canim
Beach | Chasm | Downing
Green Lake
|
Hakai Recreation Area | Horsefly Lake
Lac La Hache | Ten Mile
Lake | Ts'yl-os | Tweedsmuir
BIG
BAR PROVINCIAL PARK
Big Bar Lake Provincial Park comprises approximately 330 hectares
of rolling landscape situated on the shore of a large lake, and scattered
with small lakes and ponds. Big Bar Provincial Park is located 42 km
northwest of Clinton and provides a campground, picnic area and boat
launching ramp. Rainbow trout are resident in the parks waterways. The
areas rolling landscape and glacial eskers were formed by debris left
by ancient glaciers. The Lakeside Campground consists of 27 sites
that overlook the lake. There are 10 high density sites that can accommodate
large rigs. There is also 1 pull through site at this campground and
parking for extra vehicles is available in the park but not on the sites.
The campsites in the Upper Campground consists of 19 sites that
are larger and more double sites are available. The sites are nestled
amongst the trees and there is parking available for extra vehicles
on site. This campground is used for overflow camping.
Photo 1 | Photo 2
BOWRON LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK
Located in the Cariboo Mountains, 144 km southeast of Prince George.
This magnificent 121,6000 ha. wilderness consists of six major lakes
and connecting waterways. The park contains a 116 km canoe or kayak
circuit. This wilderness canoe trip takes from 6 to 10 days to complete,
depending on your time frame and skill level. For those looking for
a shorter trip, the west side of the circuit can be paddled in 2 to
4 days. It is recommended that those who attempt the circuit have some
wilderness canoeing experience. For details on cabins and camping, please
visit the BC Parks website site. (see link above)
BULL
CANYON PROVINCIAL PARK
Located just 10 km west of Alexis Creek on Highway 20, this pretty
little park in situated in the trees on the banks of the Chilcotin River.
Here, where the canyon narrows, river fishermen have enjoyed their sport
for years. This park offers vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come,
first-served basis - campsite reservations are not accepted. There are
20 small to medium sites in total, 2 of which are double sites and 1
a pull through site. There are also 4 tent sites. Sites are open, but
still private, through to shady. The gates at Bull Canyon are locked
during the off-season, from mid September to mid May. Bull Canyon is
the only provincial campsite along Highway 20 between Williams Lake
and Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.
Photo 1 |
Photo 2 |
Photo 3
BRIDGE LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK
Located in the beautiful InterLakes area, 51 km east of 93 Mile
House, on Highway 20, this 405 hectare park offers the camper a multitude
of activities. The park protects a large area of undeveloped shoreline
and all islands in the lake but one. The lake and adjacent stands of
Douglas fir and spruce has several bald eagle nests and active beaver
colonies, and provides habitat for numerous species of birds, black
bear, fox, coyote, mule deer, mink and river otter. The lake contains
rainbow trout, kokanee, lake char and burbot, eagerly sought by anglers.
Walk the aspen forests and fields, swim in the lake, or launch the boat
and do some fishing. Pets are welcome on a leash. This park offers vehicle
accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis - campsite
reservations are not accepted. There are 13 drive in sites, 1 of which
is a double site, and 3 walk in tent areas. The camp sites are settled
amongst trees and parking is available for extra vehicles in the parking
lot. If staff are not around when you arrive at the campground, choose
your site and pay later. .
CANIM BEACH PROVINCIAL PARK
Surrounded by mountains and located on the shores of one of the
Cariboo's larger and most beautiful lakes, Canim Beach Park is a 6 hectare
day-use only park that offers fishing, swimming, camping and picture
postcard views of the lake.
Photo 1 |
Photo 2
CHASM PROVINCIAL PARK
Experience one of nature's wonders formed by volcanic activity and carved
by glacial meltwaters thousands of years ago. The 3,067 hectare park is
located 15 km/9mi north of Clinton and 4 km/ 2.5 mi off Hwy 97. There
is a viewpoint and parking area for day-use activities, but no developed
picnic area. Pit toilets are provided.
DOWNING PROVINCIAL PARK
The park is located 17 km southeast of Clinton off of Highway 97
and provides a campground and picnic area. Downing Park encompasses
Kelly Lake where angling for rainbow trout is a favourite activity.
The 100 hectare park was donated to the public by C.S. Downing. This
park offers 18 campsites on a first-come, first-served basis - campsite
reservations are not accepted. This campground has tenting sites spread
over a lush, grassy area next to the lake. The distance to walk from
the parking area is minimal (less than 20 metres or 60 feet). Although
there is limited parking space available for R.V.'s, the peaceful setting
of this park draws such visitors to it each year. If there is no staff
at the campground upon arrival, choose a site and pay at the self-registration
box in the campground. Please check with BC Parks, as this campground
can be subject to flooding early in the saeason.
Photo
1 | Photo 2
GREEN LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK
Green Lake Provincial Park is located east of 70 Mile House and
is a beautiful park consisting of 347 hectares of rangeland and forests
with aspen and lodgepole pine. The park is
made up of 11 sites: Arrowhead, Black Bear, Blue Spring, Boyd Bay, Buckside
Hill, Emerald Bay, Green Lake Islands, Little Arrowhead, Nolan Creek
and Sunset View. Six of these sites have developed facilities. Emerald
Bay campground has 51 sites, a few of which are double sites. Many of
the sites are long and spacious. Sunset View has 54 sites, a few of
which are also double sites. Arrowhead has 16 high density sites that
are smaller than at the other campgrounds. However, large rigs may still
fit in some of these sites. There is room for extra vehicles at the
larger sites. There are a number of areas within the park that have
day-use facilities and picnic shelters with tables. Good beaches make
swimming conditions ideal. The park also provides a sani-station, toilets,
water, firewood and is wheelchair accessible.
HAKAI
LúxvbálÃs Conservancy
The
Hakai LúxvbálÃs Conservancy is managed under an agreement between the
Heiltsuk Nation and the Province of British Columbia. Encompassing more
than 120,000 hectares of land and sea, Hakai LúxvbálÃs Conservancy is
the largest provincial marine protected area on the British Columbia
coast. Located approximately 130 km north of Port Hardy on Vancouver
Island and 115 km southwest of Bella Coola, Hakai has no developed facilities
and can only be accessed by sea or air. Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in
camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
HORSEFLY LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK
The park is located approximately 13 km northeast of Horsefly community
off of Highway 97. This park offers a popular 23 site campground and
day-use area which has a developed beach, a horseshoe pit and a nature
trail. Some activities offered include hiking, exploring and fishing.
Forest cover consists of fir, spruce, birch and cedar.
Photo 1
| Photo 2 | Photo 3
| Photo 4
LAC LA HACHE PROVINCIAL PARK
Lac La Hache is one of the most popular recreation lakes along Highway
97. Located near the community of Lac La Hache, the 24 hectare park
provides the visitor with a campground, sani-station, picnic area, playground,
boat launching facilities and hiking trails. The lake provides excellent
fishery for kokanee, burbot, lake and rainbow trout. Located in fir
forests above the lake, the parks 83 campsites are a favourite stop
over for vacationers. This park offers vehicle accessible campsites.
These range in size with many larger sites including a few pull through
sites. There are also around 10 sites that have tent pads. However,
there are no double sites. The sites are nestled amongst the trees and
most are large enough to accommodate for extra vehicles. Campsite reservations
are available at this park and first-come, first-served sites are also
available.
Photo 1
| Photo 2 | Photo 3 |
Photo 4
TEN MILE LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK
This Park is located on the east shore of Ten Mile Lake, 11 kilometres
north of Quesnel on Highway 97. It offers a large picnic area, three
sandy beaches, a boat launch, and great fishing not to mention attractive,
treed campsites, showers and flush toilets. A 2-km nature trail to a
large beaver pond, through forest and along an abandoned rail road is
very rewarding to hike. In the winter the park's trails are transformed
into approximately 10 km of cross country ski trails. The
Park offers 61 lakeside and 46 touring campasites. Each site is near
toilets, water and wood. A sani-station is located on the campground
access road.
TS'YL-OS PROVINCIAL PARK
One of B.C.'s most breathtaking areas, located in the Chilcotin,
160 km Southwest of Williams Lake. On June
26, 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) granted the Tsilhqot'in
Nation a declaration of aboriginal title. Aboriginal title includes
the right to exclusive use and occupation of the land, as well as the
ability to determine the uses to which the land will be put. The Province
is currently analyzing the SCC's decision, and is in dialogue with the
Tsilhqot'in Nation about access to Tsilhqot'in title land. Until further
notice, persons interested in access to the Title area for camping and
associated recreational activities are encouraged to contact the Tsilhqot'in
National Government (http://www.tsilhqotin.ca/index.htm).
TWEEDSMUIR PROVINCIAL PARK (South)
This 981,000 hectare Park is surrounded by dramatic scenery and
rugged wilderness. About 360 km west of Williams Lake, Highway 20 enters
the Park at Heckman Pass and descends a 20 km stretch of narrow, switch-backed
road with up to 18% grades. At the bottom of the hill is a paved road
that continues on to Bella Coola. Campgrounds are located at the bottom
of "the hill" at the Atnarko River and at Fisheries Pool near
Stuie. Water, toilets, wood, a sani-station and picnic areas are provided.
Further tourist facilities and supplies can be found in Bella Coola,
Hagensborg, Nimpo Lake and Anahim Lake. There are many primitive campsites
dotted throughout the park.
