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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
As of June 5, 2008:
- Chilliwack
Lake boat launch is now accessible but there is still no beach due to high water.
- Park notices to advise visitors of the park/campground status (eg vacancy, full, no beach, etc) are posted on the park sign at the "On The Way Store" on Chilliwack Lake Road, approximately 2 km from the bridge. This sign is independent of the Store, so please don't contact the Store for details about the park.
- The
Geendrop/Flora trail trail crosses
several large landslides which requires hikers to
scramble over / under / around some large boulders
and should only be travelled by experienced backpackers
with good footwear.
The Park Map available
below shows a number of "routes" that are not actively maintained by BC Parks. Many of these
routes are in poor condition, are unmarked
and are not recommended for travel. These
routes are: Hanging Lake, and the route from
Radium Lake to the Chilliwack Lake Eco Reserve. Travel should not be attempted on the aforementioned trails except by very experienced hikers familiar in the use of a map and compass for navigational purposes. Anyone hiking these routes should be prepared for travel through heavy understory
for the duration of the hike.
Park
Info:
Located 150km east of Vancouver in the upper Chilliwack River
Valley, Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park is characterized by
a valley-bottom lake, old-growth forested slopes, and spectacular
subalpine and alpine ridges. The sparkling Chilliwack Lake
is ideal for motor-boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming,
or fishing. Forty kilometers of trails provide opportunities
for hiking, bird and wildlife viewing, and nature appreciation.
The park also has a day-use picnic area, playground, and
146 frontcountry campsites. Those seeking a wilderness camping
experience can access the backcountry camps located at Greendrop,
Lindeman, Flora, and Radium Lakes.
Park
Size: The
park covers 9,258 hectares.
Special
Notes:
- The park
has recently been extended to include the east side of the
lake. The old Forestry campsites at Depot Creek, Post Creek,
Sappers Park and Paleface Creek have been deactivated. Development
plans are in the works for this area. Camping is prohibited in these areas.
- CAUTION:
dangerous currents exist at the outflow of Chilliwack Lake
and several kilometres downstream. Avoid boating and rafting
in this area.
Management
Planning:
Management
Planning Information
Location:
The park
is located 64km southeast of Chilliwack, 40km in from Vedder
Crossing. Take Exit 104 from Highway 1 and follow the signs
for Cultus Lake until Cultus Lake Road. Instead of turning
here, follow Vedder Road across the bridge and turn right
onto Chilliwack Lake Road. Follow this road for 40 km to the
lake.
Map/Brochure:
Any maps listed are for
information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be
used for navigation.
Nature
& Culture:
- Cultural
Heritage - The Hudson Bay
Company cut the first recorded trail up the Chilliwack River in
1855, improving the Indian Trail which joined the nine Indian villages
between Vedder Crossing and Chilliwack Lake. Logging in the valley
began early in the century, and by the 1920s developed into a considerable
railroad logging operation. In 1938 a massive fire was started by
a rail accident resulting in the abandoning of the line and truck
logging began. In 1942 the army base was established in Chilliwack.
Sappers Park at the south end of Chilliwack Lake was built by a
visiting British company of military engineers.
- Conservation - Flowers, trees
and shrubs are part of the park's natural heritage, please don't
damage or remove them
- Wildlife - Park users should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment. Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife.
- General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
Visitor
Safety:
- A sudden
wind could come up on the lake. Caution is advised.
Visitor
Safety Information (park
safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)
Reservations:For
parks that accept reservations,
all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover
Camping.
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.
Contact
Information:
Sea to Sky Park Services Ltd
Email address: info@seatoskyparks.com
Phone: (604) 986-9371
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This
park offers four vehicle accessible campsites on
a first-come, first-served basis - campsite reservations
are not accepted. The camping areas are named Radium
Loop, Greendrop Loop, Lindeman Loop and Paleface
Loop.
There
are a total of 146 campsites. There are 20 double
sites and no pull-through sites. There is a two
vehicle maximum at each site with no extra parking
available. There is a gatehouse. If there is no
staff to direct you to a site, please choose a site
with no camping receipt on the campsite number post.
The nearest store is approximately 32 km away. There
is no pay phone in the park.
Vehicle
Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night
BC
Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$7.50 per senior's couple/night
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.)
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May 9 - October 8
(gate is closed during the off-season) |
| Campground
Dates with Full Services and Fees: |
May 9 - October 8
(gate is closed during the off-season) |
| Campground
Reservable Dates: |
Not
applicable |
| Total
Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: |
146 |
| Number
of Reservable Campsites, if applicable:
(all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
Not
applicable |
| 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. |
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Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed,
but no facilities are provided. There are six (6) backcountry
campsites located at each of the four (4) camping areas:
Greendrop (5.5 km), Lindeman (1.5 km), Flora (7 km),
and Radium Lakes (6.5 km). There is one pit toilet
located at the Lindeman camping area. No other facilities
exist.
Marine access camping facilities are not available. Camping is not permitted on the shores of the lake.
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There
are no group campsites available at this park.
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This park has a day-use/picnic area. Parking is available
in the day-use/picnicking area. There are pit toilets
available. Picnic tables have barbeque attachments;
bring your own barbeques and briquettes. There is a
sandy beach. Day-use area is closed from dusk to 7am.
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There
are wheelchair accessible pit toilets in the Radium Loop campground. There are
no trails for the disabled. |
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Cold
water taps are located in each of the vehicle-accessible
campgrounds. There are no taps available at the backcountry
sites. Taps are shut off during the off season.
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Pit
toilets are located in the day-use area and at each of the vehicle
accessible campgrounds. There are no pit toilets available at the backcountry
sites. No flush toilets at this park. |
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No
showers.
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A
sani-station/dump is available during the collecting
season.
Sani-station
Use Fee: $2.00 per discharge
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Fires
are permitted in the designated rock fire rings only.
Fire restrictions may be in place during times of
high forest fire rating.
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.
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There are no electrical hook-ups in this park |
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There
are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at
this park.
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There are three main trails at this park. Greendrop Lake, Flora Lake and Lindeman Lake trails share the same trailhead at the Post Creek Parking Lot. Greendrop Lake is 10.4 km return and Flora Lake is 14 km return. The Radium Lake trailhead (16 km return) is accessible from the Chilliwack Lake campground
Trans
Canada Trail winds through park. See the Trans Canada
Trail website for more information: www.trailsbc.ca/index.html
For
your own safety and preservation of the park, obey posted
signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails
destroys plant life and soil structure.
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There is an adventure playground at this park located at the Paleface Loop camping area.
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Visitors
can enjoy swimming at Chilliwack Lake. There is a
roped-off swimming area. There are no swimming
rafts. The beach area is sandy. This area is prone
to high winds in the afternoons. There are NO LIFEGUARDS
on duty at provincial parks.
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Canoes and kayaks are welcome at this park. There
are no canoe/kayak rentals available in the park. CAUTION:
dangerous currents exist at the outflow of Chilliwack
Lake and several kilometres downstream. Avoid boating
and rafting in this area.
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There is a gradual single wide boat launch at this park next to the day-use area and campground. The boat launch is small and designed for boats of less than 23 feet in length. Larger vessels will have difficulty launching. There is a day-use parking area for vehicles and trailers during the day only. Boats can be left in the water or beached overnight at the owners risk. There is no marina nearby to moor boats. There is a speed restriction of “Dead Slow” around the boat launch. Waterskiing is permitted on the lake. Marine access camping facilities are not available. Camping is not permitted on the shores of the lake.
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Visitors
can fish for Dolly Varden, kokanee, rainbow and cutthroat trout. Anyone
fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an
appropriate licence.
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Bicycles
must keep to roadways and bicycle helmets are mandatory
in British Columbia.
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Horse
use is allowed on the Trans Canada trail only.
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Pets/domestic
animals must be on a leash at all times and are not
allowed in beach or picnic 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.
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No
wildlife viewing opportunities.
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No
winter recreation opportunities. |
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No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
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There are windsurfing opportunities. The lake usually has strong winds
in the afternoons.
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Waterskiing is popular on Chilliwack Lake and there is no maximum boat
motor size.
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This park is open to hunting. All applicable hunting licences
are required. However, there is no park specific hunting permit needed.
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No
climbing or rock climbing opportunities. |
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No
spelunking or caving opportunities. |
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No
cabins, yurts or lodges for public use. |
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