Crooked River Provincial Park

Know Before You Go

Leave No Trace

Help protect the park land. Enjoy Crooked River Park but please leave it as you have found it so that future visitors may also enjoy the park.

Park Rules

For safety reasons, firearms are not permitted in the park. Crooked River Park is closed to hunting. No alcohol is allowed on the beach or in the day-use area. Pets are not permitted in the day-use area and must be kept on a leash at all times in any other area of the park.

Stay Safe

Safe swimming practices are a must! Visitors are encouraged to remain within the designated area. As no lifeguard is on duty, children should be watched at all times and solo swimming should be avoided. To avoid problems with nuisance animals such as bears, please lock food in your vehicle at night and be sure to use the garbage containers provided. Never feed or approach bears. As the park is situated in open pine forest, it is tempting to walk off the trails. Visitors should keep in mind that it is easy to loose bearings in pine forests as the terrain is unvarying and can be confusing.

About This Park

Crooked River lies within the Fraser Basin, an irregularly shaped basin of gently rolling hills and shallow lakes covering much of the North Central B.C. Three beautiful lakes are contained within this 970 hectare park. The centre of activity of this park, an hour's drive north of Prince George, is beach-fringed Bear Lake. The fine, sandy beaches are some of the best in the region and are favourites of swimmers and sunbathers. Fishing, hiking, camping and nature study are also popular activities with outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors like to hike to nearby Square Lake or along the willow-lined Crooked River, the original route of early explorers. A natural feature in the park is Livingston Springs (is a cold water springs that run year round).

Park Size: 970 hectares

Campground Hours of Operation All dates are subject to change without notice
Opening and Closing Campground Dates:	May 15 - September 19 (Please note: Opening date is subject to snow melt)
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:	May 15 - September 19 (Day-use area gate is open year round for winter activities but no services are provided. Area is user maintained)
Campground Reservable Dates:	June 10 - September 7
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:	65
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.

 

Reservations

All reserveable, accessible campsites must be reserved through Discover Camping.

Campsite Reservations:
Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.

Location and Maps

• Location Map

The park is located 70 km north of Prince George on Highway #97. This is approximately a one hour drive. The closest communities, towns and cities are Bear Lake and Prince George.

Maps and Brochures

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

• Park Brochure (PDF)
• Park Map (PDF)

Bathymetric Maps:

• Square Lake Bathymetric Map

Nature and Culture

• History - Crooked River Provincial Park was originally established to protect its attractive lakes and surrounding landscape. The lakes are a result of the melting of the glacial ice blocks.
• Cultural Heritage - The Crooked River was once the corridor of the famous explorers Alexander MacKenzie and Simon Fraser.
• Conservation - The gently undulating landscape is covered by a thick layer of glacial drift supporting a forest dominated by white spruce, lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir, known as the Sub-boreal Spruce Zone. The forest cover within the park boundaries consists mainly of lodgepole pine interspersed with alder, birch, aspen and spruce. It sits atop a sand and gravel soil, the result of thousands of years of glacial activity in the area. Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the park's natural heritage.
• Wildlife - One of Crooked River Provincial Park's trails takes visitors to and around Square Lake, an excellent spot for nature viewing. The lodgepole pine forests, lakes and wetlands of the park provide excellent habitat for a number of mammals and birds. River otter, beaver, muskrat, squirrels, and chipmunks are the most common residents. Lynx, red fox, coyote and black bear may also be seen. Many birds frequent the park including bald eagles, ospreys, tanagers and chickadees. In the winter, Crooked River is visited by trumpeter swans. 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

Management Planning

Management Planning Information

• Approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan.

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Cycling

Fishing

Hiking

Pets on Leash

Swimming

Wildlife Viewing

Windsurfing

Winter Recreation

Facilities Available at this Park

Campfires

Drinking Water

Picnic Areas

Pit or Flush Toilets

Playground

Sani-Station/Dump

Showers

Vehicle Accessible Camping

Wheelchair Access