A campfire ban is currently in effect for this park. For more information about campfire bans and about provincial parks with park closures and campfire bans in effect, visit the BC Parks campfire ban webpage.
Park Info
Looking for a family holiday destination? Plan your next weekend to Blanket Creek Provincial Park just south of Revelstoke. Popular with local residents, this park was originally a farm now developed to provide recreational opportunities. It is one of a system of four provincial parks on the Arrow Lake Reservoir. With its warm man-made swimming lagoon, adventure playground, historic homestead site and easy access to scenic Sutherland Falls, this park offers enjoyment for the entire family.
Blanket Creek Park makes a great staging area for other recreational explorations. Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks both close by, offer hiking trails for all skill levels. Travel south, take a ferry ride and discover Nakusp Hot Springs. The variety of opportunities both in and around this park beckons recreationists of all ages.
Park Size: 318 hectares
Campground Hours of Operation
All dates are subject to change without notice
Opening and Closing Campground Dates:
(campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water,
security, etc.)
May 7 – September 30
(gate is closed during off-season)
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:
May 7 – September 30
Campground Reservable Dates:
May 7 – September 15
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:
63
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable:
(all remaining sites are first-come, first-served)
30
Note: The above information is
for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park
if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor
Notice" above for park alerts.
General Visitor Information
Bears have historically been attracted to this site for its fruit trees remaining from the orchards of the early settlers. Keep a clean camp and keep pets on a leash at all times. Free-running pets can anger a bear and provoke an attack. The bears are more active in the fall.
Located in the southern interior of BC, a 15-minute drive, 25 km south of Revelstoke on Hwy 23, where Blanket Creek flows into the Columbia River just north of the Upper Arrow Lake.
Nature & Culture
History - The park encompasses a farming area known as the old “Domke homestead”. The remnants of this heritage farm and it’s wide array of trees, both native and imported, are reminders of the pioneer orchardists who first homesteaded the area in the late 1940’s. The park was established in 1982 after the reservoir was made, to provide recreational opportunities for local residents. Blanket Creek Park lies in the Okanagan and Shuswap first nation traditional territories.
Conservation - Blanket Creek Park is 318 hectares, contains white pine and second growth western hemlock and western cedar. The park protects the scenic qualities of Sutherland Falls, a regional significant natural feature. There are only a few waterfalls in the Kootenay region as easily accessible to the public. The creation of the Arrow Reservoir reduced Kokanee spawning and ungulate winter range over a large area. Blanket Creek Park is only one of a few small parks along the Arrow Lake Reservoir where these values are protected. Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the park's natural heritage, please don't damage or remove them.
Wildlife - Bears are commonly seen in the fall when they are attracted to the fruit trees remaining from homesteader’s orchards. Mule deer and hares are occasionally observed. The park is also popular for bird watching. Park users should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment. Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife. Please view all wildlife from a distance.
Car top boats, canoes or kayaks are used on the reservoir and may be launched off the beach after a short 200 metre, 10 minute "portage" from the day use parking lot.
Cycling
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in BC.
Fishing
The far north end of the reservoir is shallow, stumpy and not recognised for fishing. Anglers access the reservoir via the boat launch at Shelter Bay Provincial Park south on Highway 23 near the ferry terminal. From here there is good lake and stream fishing for Bull and rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Check the BC Fishing Regulations Synopsis for quotas and restrictions.
Hiking
The park is noted for its trail that leads to the foot of the beautiful 12 metre high Sutherland Falls with its one straight drop into a pool. Less than a km long this trail is an easy 10-minute walk and is accessed from a small parking lot off the left turn exit before the sani-station.
The other popular hike starts form the south end of the campground is 2 km in length and considered and easy to moderate hike. The start of the trail will lead you through an old cedar forest with huge stumps displaying spring-board notches from early logging activity. It then takes you through dense forest and opens up to a very pretty, fjord looking inlet with deep clean water. The final section of the trail heads to the old homestead. This site still contains a deep rock lined pond and elaborate rock work fences. Total hiking time is 30 to 45 minutes.
A 10-minute trail winds through the forest to connect the campground with the picnic area and swimming lagoon
For your own safety and preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroy plant life and soil structure.
Pets on Leash
A signed dog beach can be found out on the reservoir and dogs are allowed "off their leash" in this designated area only. Otherwise, pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in other beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Swimming
Although, the northern portion of the reservoir is less useable given the steep slope of the banks, cold silt water and frequent low water levels, a man-made lagoon for swimming and beach use has helped to artificially provide these recreational opportunities. The circular, calm, fresh flowing water lagoon has a diameter of 60 metres and a depth of approximately 2.5 metres in the middle. With its ring of sandy beach and warm water the lagoon is popular with visitors of all ages. There is no roped off swimming area. There are NO LIFEGUARDS on duty at provincial parks.
Wildlife Viewing
There is no viewing platform but there is easy access to the scenic Sutherland Falls.
Facilities Available At This Park
Campfires
While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood.Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
Drinking Water
Cold well water is available for cooking and drinking. Three water taps are located in the campground with a single water tap in the day-use/picnic area. Taps are shut off during the off season.
Picnic Areas
The park has one day-use /picnic area located past the campground, near the reservoir on the north side of the park. A large 120 vehicle parking lot is available. This park is unique as it contains a man made lagoon for swimming. 457 metres of sandy beach and 1 hectare of grass surround the circular lagoon. Thirty-two picnic tables are situated mainly around the lagoon in the grassy area. Shady spots are created from the trees on the edge of the grassy ring. An adventure playground set in sand with swing set, monkey bars and slide is nearby. Other facilities on site include 5 pit toilets and a water tap. A change house, fire pits or BBQ stands are not available. A signed dog beach can be found out on the reservoir and is only a 10-minute walk away.
Pit or Flush Toilets
Eleven flush and pit toilets are conveniently located throughout the campground. The day-use/picnic area contains five pit toilets. There are no toilet buildings in the park.
Playground
An adventure playground with swing set, monkey bars and slide is provided near the picnic area/swimming lagoon. The equipment is set in sand.
Sani-Station/Dump
During the collection season, a sani-station/dump is available near the campground entrance and a fee is charged for the service
Sani-station Use Fee: $2.00 per discharge
Vehicle Accessible Camping
The park has one campground situated near the Arrow Lake reservoir. The campground contains 63 vehicle accessible sites, 5 of these are doubles. There are no pull through sites or tent pads but tents can be placed on the campsite gravel pad. Many of the sites are considered large and can accommodate extra vehicles. The campground offers a selection of both open/sunny sites or wooded/shaded sites in a mixed smaller forest of white pine, cedar and hemlock
The park offers services during the peak season from May to September. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available. Visitors can select any non-reserved site and staff will come to collect fees. The park has 2 park gates, one at the park entrance and one before the entrances to the campground or day-use/picnic area. There are no pay phones in the park. The closest store is in Revelstoke, 25 km north on Highway 23.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$7.50 per senior's couple/night
