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
Known as an ideal destination for family fun, Champion Lakes Provincial Park with its 3 lakes offers an all-inclusive recreational package to visitors including fishing, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking and swimming. There are 6.5 km of multi-use trails linking the lakes together. 3rd lake with its two day-use areas is known for warm water and is popular with the local communities. Champion Lakes Golf and Country Club is a quick 20-min drive from the Park.
Champion Lakes Provincial Park takes its name from the lakes and creek by that name and is located in the Selkirk Mountains, 18 km north west of Fruitvale. The special features of this park include the chain of picturesque small lakes, old growth forest and an example of forest succession.
Park Size: 1,426 hectares
Special Notes:
Unusual diversity of vegetation from cedar/hemlock forest to Alpine spruce.
POWER BOATS are prohibited
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.)
June 1 – September7
(Gate is open year round - but use is subject to snow conditions, as the
campground is not cleared of snow.)
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:
June 1 – September 7
Off-season:
If full services are provided - fee in effect. If no services are provided- user maintained with no fee. See contact information below for information.
Campground Reservable Dates:
June 15 – September 7
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:
95
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
There is a sharp drop-off along the swimming area at the main day use beach. As the park is at the 1067 meter elevation level, cooler temperatures and snowfalls can occur in May and September. Be prepared.
Located in south central BC, this park is 6 km north-east of Fruitvale off Highway 3B or just 8 km west of the junction of Highway 3 and 3B. From the turn off, it’s a 12 km, 20-min drive to the park entrance.
Nature & Culture
History - In the early 1900s, the area belonged to The Columbia and Western Railway but reverted to the crown in 1919. During the 30’s and 40’s the local rod and gun club stocked the lakes and improved trails to allow access for recreational purposes. The park was established in 1955 and the lakes and creek are named for James W. Champion, an early settler and orchardist of the area. Champion Lakes Park lies in the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket, Okanagan and Sinixt first nation traditional territories.
Conservation - Champion Lakes Park is located adjacent to the Bonnington Range of the Selkirk Mountains. This 1426 hectare park lies in the moist Interior cedar-hemlock biogeoclimatic zone, which accounts for the separate plant species that grow in some profusion in its well-developed lake-marsh-dry land successional sites. Conifers such as alpine fir and yellow pine, which do not normally grow in the same vicinity, may be seen in the park close together. The park also protects old growth forest. Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the park's natural heritage, please do not damage or remove them.
Wildlife - This park supports a diverse population of small mammals such as squirrels, chipmunks and porcupines. Moose, deer and bears are occasionally observed. Birds are quite prevalent with nighthawks, woodpeckers, Canada jays, belted kingfishers, western tanagers and oregon junkos being the most common. Loons, mallards, widgeons and the great blue heron are more likely to be seen early in the season. In spring and fall, migrating waterfowl specifically Canada geese rest on the lakes during their journeys north and south. The park does support sites suitable for painted turtles. 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.
Canoes, kayaks and rowboats are welcome. Both 3rd and 2nd Lakes have easy access via the boat launches. An approximate .25 of a km portage from the 2nd lake boat launch is required to reach 1st Lake.
Cycling
BBicycles may use trails and roadways. Mountain bikers should always yield the right-of-way to other trail users. Should you encounter hikers on any trail, please yield the right-of-way. Helmets must be worn. Just outside of the park are good cross-country skiing trails that would be suitable for mountain biking.
Fishing
Rainbow trout have been stocked in the lakes. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Check the BC Fishing Regulations Synopsis for quotas and restrictions. Ice-fishing is allowed during the winter season. POWER BOATS ARE PROHIBITED.
Hiking
A total of 6.5 km of gentle trails connects the lakes and encompass the second and third lakes. Facility development is concentrated around 3rd Lake. 2nd and 1st lakes remain in their natural states. There is also a trail that leads to a Lookout. 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.
3rd Lake Loop trail follows the shoreline, is 1.5 km long, takes approximately 40 min to hike and is popular for travelling from Main beach to Campers beach.
2nd Lake Loop trail is the most popular trail and can be accessed from three locations. The parking lot of Campers beach day-use/picnic area, beside campsite # 82 and from 2nd lake boat launch. The trail is approximately 2.5 km with a 45 min hiking time. This trail has several boardwalks, passes through old growth forest and offers scenic views of march grasslands. 2nd lake itself has shallow places covered in pond lilies with reed flats found in the marshy areas. For your relaxation a viewing area with bench can be found at the north end of the lake.
1st Lake Loop trail starts from the 2nd lake boat launch parking lot. It starts on 2nd lake trail then branches off and follows the creek between 2nd and 1st lake. It continues along the east shore of 1st lake and returns through the forest to your original starting point from the boat launch. Allow yourself 1 hour for the 2.5 km hike. This trail is the most serene of the three loops and in the fall offers spectacular fall colour when the larch turn yellow and begin to loose their needle’s.
Lookout Trail is approximately .75 of a km with a moderate to steep grade. Depending how long you spend at the top it is a 40 – 60 minute round trip and offers picturesque views of the lakes below.
Pets on Leash
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. There is no off leash area in this park. 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
There are two beaches on 3rd Lake: Campers' beach on the west end and the Main day-use beach on the east end. Main beach has the only buoyed wading area and swim float/wharf. Warm water and a combined 300 meters of compacted sand beaches provide excellent sunbathing and swimming opportunities. Caution: there is a sharp drop-off at the Main beach. There are NO LIFEGUARDS on duty at provincial parks.
Wildlife Viewing
Viewpoints located at both Second & Third lakes as well as a lookout at the top of the Lookout trail that overlooks the Park, all three locations have a park bench. Loons and Mallards are common through the summer rearing young in addition to a large variety of forest bird species.
Windsurfing
Windsuring is possible but the wind is not dependable.
Winter Recreation
There are approximately 3km of trails in the park. A local Ski Club maintains tracks in the Park throughout the winter months. There are also 4 km of trails outside of the park. There are also snowshoeing opportunities in the park.
Ice-fishing is allowed during the winter season.
Facilities Available At This Park
Boat Launch
Launching sites for canoes, kayaks and cartop boats are located across from the picnic areas on the 3rd lake and near the westerly end of the 2nd lake. 3rd lake boat launch is a single launch site with a concrete plank ramp. It has a 15-vehicle boat/trailer parking area and vehicles/trailers can be left over night. 2nd Lake boat launch is a rustic, gravel single launch site with parking available above the site. The site can accommodate 15 vehicles/boat trailers. Due to its remoteness it is not recommended to leave vehicles/trailers overnight. POWERBOATS ARE PROHIBITED ON ALL THREE LAKES. The shoreline along both boat launches is in its natural state and is therefore not developed for canoes, kayaks or boats to be beached overnight.
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. Six water taps are randomly located in the campground with a single water tap at each day-use/picnic area. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
Picnic Areas
This park has two day-use/picnic areas on 3rd Lake called Main beach and Camper's Beach. Fire pits and BBQ stands are not available.
Main Beach located on the south-west side of the lake near the park entrance is approximately 200 m long with compact sand, grassy areas and a small buoyed wading area. There are 30 picnic tables 25 m back from the water's edge. A toilet /change house, enclosed shelter with heater, 2 pit toilets, water tap and group picnic area are located nearby. Parking for 180 vehicles is available.
Campers Beach is located on the south-east end of the
lake. The turn-off for the access road is located in the campground
beside Campsite 91. A small parking lot can accommodate 20 vehicles. The
beach is approximately 100 m long with compact sand. A large unmaintained
grassy area makes up the majority of the day use area. An adventure playground,
set in sand with swing set, slide and monkey bars is nearby. Other
facilities on site include 6 picnic tables, 2 pit toilets and a water tap.
Pit or Flush Toilets
Four sets of pit toilets and three toilet buildings are conveniently located throughout the campground. Main Beach day-use/picnic area has a toilet/change house and two pit toilets. Campers Beach day-use/picnic area has two pit toilets.
Playground
An adventure playground with swing set, monkey bars and slide is located adjacent to the Campers' beach at the west end of 3rd lake. The equipment is set in sand
Sani-Station/Dump
During the collecting 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 between 3rd and 2nd lake. None of
the sites are on the lakeshore but some have lake views with short access
trails to the 3rd or 2nd lake loop trails. Champion Rd and Lake Rd form the
outside loop with 2 inner Roads know as Centre and Theatre Road. The campground
has 95 vehicle accessible sites, 13 of those are doubles There are no pull
through sites however the campground has an even mix of small to large sites
and can accommodate large recreational vehicles. Approximately 10 of the
vehicle accessible sites have tent pads with 8 sites designed for tenters
only. All the sites are evenly spaced considered shaded and found amongst
a predominantly mixed forest of fir, larch and pine. There is limited parking
available for extra vehicles in the larger sites. This park offers services
during the peak season of 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. Fees,
hours of operations, and number of campsites. A park gate is located at the
Park Entrance and is closed between the hours of 11:00pm and 7:00am. There
are no pay phones in the park. The closest store is in Fruitvale 18 km west
on highway 3B.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $19.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$9.50 per senior's couple/night
Wheelchair Access
Wheelchair accessible facilities include flush toilets in the toilet/change house building at Main Beach day-use /picnic area. A paved viewing area of 3rd lake is located on the main road on route to the campground.
