As of May 16, 2008 -

The many changes in the Callaghan Valley continue in stride with the countdown to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and a substantial amount of snow remains in the upper valley:

• The new 9 km paved road to the Whistler Olympic Park Nordic Centre in the Callaghan Valley is open and maintained.
• At approximately 8 km up the new road, just before a right turn switchback, is the junction with the Callaghan East Forest Service Road, the main access route to Callaghan Lake Provincial Park. Driving across the narrow bridge over Madely Creek will bring you to a small snow ploughed parking area (2 - 3 vehicles) on your right hand side. The ploughed access then turns off the Forest Service Road and into a privately run, cross-country ski operation base. The provincial park boundary is another 6 km up the Forest Service Road. The road is still snow covered and not accessible by automobiles at this time.
• Skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers may now use the road to the park and are reminded to conduct their activity in a safe manner and be respectful of other users.
• Backcountry skiers should allow at least 2 hours to ski the 8km of road up to Callaghan Lake.
• The snowmobile corridor through the park was closed this winter, up to May 15, 2008, to be consistent with the broader non-motorized management direction in the Upper Callaghan Valley. The Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts implemented a Recreation Order closing the upper Callaghan Valley to motorized use. This order has now been lifted for the remainder of this winter/spring season.
• Snowmobilers are reminded to abide by the conditions of use as described on the attached "Snowmobiling in Callaghan Lake Provincial Park."
• Whistler Olympic Park is now closed for the season. Click here for more information.
• Please refer to the related backcountry travel advisory in the applicable sections below.
• The Callaghan Lake area at the end of the road is being redesigned to promote a gradual recovery of soil, plants and wildlife and to prepare for potential facility improvements.
  Changes for 2008 include:
  • - camping is allowed only in the parking area and no longer permitted in the adjacent forest or meadows;
  • - the rough parking areas have been redefined and reduced in size;
  • - refrain from having a campfire or share a communal one with others. Fires will only be permitted in fire rings provided in the parking area;
  • - firewood collection in the park is prohibited.
  • - plants grow slowly in the mountain environment. Please keep out of recovery areas and stay within marked trail corridors; and
  • - be bear smart. Recent wildlife studies have identified the Callaghan Valley as home to both black and grizzly bears;
• The park is user maintained. Please help keep it clean and take your garbage home with you.
• A boat engine power restriction (10hp/7.5kw) has been proposed for Callaghan Lake.

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

• Draft Management Plan

• Location Map

The park is easily accessed in summer from Highway 99, 70 km north of Vancouver or 20 km south of Whistler, left at sign following a gravel Forest Service road (Callaghan FSR 01) for 16 kilometres. The closest community, town or city is Whistler.

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

• There are no digital maps or brochures for this park
• Location Map

• Conservation - The park is known to contain the blue-listed species Pleuropogon refractus (nodding semaphore grass) in boggy areas.
• Wildlife - A variety of wildlife exists within the park and surrounding area, such as bobcat (Lynx rufus), cougar (Felis concolor), coyote (Canis latrans), mink (Mustela vison), Douglas' squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii), weasel (Mustela frenata), wolverine (Gulo gulo) and wolf (Canus lupus). Large mammal species present or probable include black bear (Ursus americanus), Columbian black-tailed deer (Odecoileus hemionus columbianus), and mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) (a wintering area exists on the northeast ridge above the lake. Transient species include moose (Alces alces) and grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilus).
• General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

General Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

Reservations are not accepted at this park, all campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis. For parks that accept reservations or information on the reservation service, click here.

Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

	This park offers informal vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis - campsite reservations are not accepted. The current camping area is an informal, confined area at the end of the road, close to the lake. This camping area can accommodate 4 - 6 tents or high clearance camper trucks. Camping is available only in snow free months (mid-June to end of October. There is no fee. The closest store is located in Whistler (Function Junction) approximately 20 kilometres away.
	No wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping.
	No group campsites.
	This park has a rough, dirt day-use/camping/parking area with one pit toilet, an information sign and no picnic tables.
	There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
	Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
	This park has one pit toilet only.
	No showers.
	No sani-station/dump facilities.
	Campfires are permitted in established fire pits only.
	There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
	There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.
	For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure. Although hiking trails have not been developed in the park, access to numerous circuit trails may be gained from rough marked and unmarked trails at Ring Lake. Mount Callaghan, Madely Lake, and Rainbow Lake to Whistler. Cirque Lake is an alpine lake at 1,4990 metres elevation and is within easy hiking distance. Callaghan Country Wilderness Adventures operates a commercial cross-country ski operation which includes 4 km of groomed trails within the park (of the total 38 km in its operating area), and a mountain cabin west of the park.
	This park does not have a playground.
	No swimming.
	There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
	This park has a very rough, undeveloped car top gravel boat launch. Boats can be left in the water or beached overnight at the owner’s risk. There is no dock or marina to moor boats. There is no water skiing on the lake. A 10 horsepower boat motor restriction is planned for Callaghan Lake.
	Callaghan Lake and Cirque Lake offer subalpine fishing for trout and char. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
	Cycling is not permitted.
	No horseback riding.
	Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in 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.
	No wildlife viewing opportunities.
	The snowmobile corridor through the park has been reopened for the remainder of the winter/spring season. Spring snow shoeing and backcountry skiing opportunities are still available throughout the park due to the substantial spring snow pack. Whether you are on or off trail in the park during the winter, your are in a wilderness area. Anyone venturing into the backcountry does so at their own risk. Visitors should be well prepared, equipped and informed before entering the backcountry. The spring climate can be deceiving and weather conditions can still change quickly in the mountains. Cellular phone coverage is minimal in the park - do not rely on a phone for emergency or communication purposes! Spring backcountry travel hazards exist, including avalanches and potentially unsafe ice and snow layers on Callaghan Lake. Sections of open water on the lake will now start to appear as the spring melt starts. Visitors must be familiar with recognition and avoidance of avalanche terrain and conditions and with conditions on the lake. Backcountry visitors should be appropriately equipped with avalanche transceivers, probes, snow shovels, first aid kits and have adequate knowledge of avalanche assessment skills and avalanche rescue procedures. There are no garbage facilities so always pack out what you pack in!
	No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.
	No windsurfing opportunities.
	No waterskiing opportunities.
	Hunting is permitted in the park. Please confirm with the Hunting and Trapping regulations for specific details. All hunters require applicable hunting licences.
	No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.
	No spelunking or caving opportunities.
	No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.