Cultus Lake Provincial Park
Campers and swimmers should be aware that SWIMMERS ITCH may be present in Cultus Lake. For more information on the treatment and prevention of swimmers itch, check out the BC Healthfiles page.
About This Park
As one of the most popular destination areas in the Lower Mainland, Cultus Lake Provincial Park is characterized by a large, warm freshwater lake and scenic forest-clad mountains. The park is almost evenly divided between the northwest and southeast sides of Cultus Lake. The northwest portion is mostly undeveloped with the visitor-oriented facilities confined to the southeast portion. Just an hour and a half drive away from Vancouver, visitors will find four campgrounds, a large day-use area for picnicking and boating, and ample opportunity for fishing, water skiing, wind surfing and hiking.
Park Size: 2,561 hectares
Special Notes:
Cultus Lake Provincial Park is located near the small community of Cultus Lake, This community offers waterslides, two golf courses, bumper boats, go-carts, canoe, boat and jet ski rentals, marina, miniature golf, restaurants, stables, laundromat, stores and gas stations. Larger department stores are located in Chilliwack.
| 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.) |
Campground gates are closed during off-season. |
| – Clear Creek campground | May 10 – October 12 (opening date may change subject to completion of storm cleanup) |
| – Delta Grove campground | April 1 – October 12 |
| – Entrance Bay campground | April 1 – October 12 |
| – Maple Bay campground | June 11 – Sept 6 |
| Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: | |
| – Clear Creek campground | April 1 – October 12 |
| – Delta Grove campground | April 1 – October 12 |
| – Entrance Bay campground | April 1 – October 12 |
| – Maple Bay campground | June 11 – September 6 |
| Campground Reservable Dates: | |
| – Clear Creek campground | June 11 – September 6 |
| – Delta Grove campground | May 10 – September 6 |
| – Entrance Bay campground | May 10 – September 6 |
| – Maple Bay campground | June 11 – September 6 |
| Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: | Clear Creek = 85 Delta Grove = 52 Entrance Bay = 47 Maple Bay = 97 |
| Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
Clear Creek = 34 Delta Grove = 38 Entrance Bay = 45 Maple Bay = 73 |
| 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
Reserveable, vehicle accessible campsites must be reserved through Discover Camping.
Campsite Reservations:
Campsite
reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are
also available
Group Camp/Picnic Reservations:
Group campsite and/or
group picnic site reservations are accepted at this park.
Location and Maps
Cultus Lake Provincial Park is located 11 km southwest of Chilliwack. Access to the park is off Highway 1 at the Yarrow or Sardis exits. It is 16 km to the park entrance from Yarrow and 10 km from Sardis via the Columbia Valley Highway, which bisects the southeast section of the park.
Maps and Brochures
Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
- Park Map (PDF - updated June 2008)
- Park Map (showing Westside group site location)
- Park Brochure (PDF)
- Delta Grove and Clear Creek campground map (PDF)
- Entrance Bay campground map (PDF)
- Maple Bay campground map (PDF)
- Horse trail map (PDF)
Nature and Culture
- History - The park was designated to Provincial Park status in 1948.
- Cultural Heritage - Cultus Lake was known as Swee-ehl-chah or Tsowallie by local First Nations. Cultus is a Chinook word derived from the Salish word Kul, meaning "bad" or "worthless". The lake was considered "bad" in an ancient First Nations legend.
- Conservation - The park lies in the transition zone between the Coastal Western Hemlock and Coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zones. Douglas-fir and broadleaf maple are the dominant species. Hemlock is evident in the understory, largely on the wetter east side of the lake.
- Wildlife - The park provides habitat for a variety of wildlife including coyote, blacktail deer, beaver, shrew mole, and 100 species of birds. Cultus Lake contains rainbow, Dolly Varden, steelhead and cutthroat trout and all five varieties of salmon.
- General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
Management Planning
Management Planning Information
- Online Management planning information for this park is available here.
Activities Available at this Park
Canoeing
Cycling
Fishing
Hiking
There are five main trails for you to enjoy and admire the wonders of nature:
- Teapot Hill Trail is located near the Honeymoon Bay group site. There are some steep sections making this trail moderately difficult. This trail is a 5 km round trip (2 hours) viewing Cultus Lake and Columbia Valley.
- Seven Sisters Trail connects Entrance Bay and Clear Creek Campgrounds. Along the trail, stands a group of large Douglas-fir trees, once numbering seven (2 hours return).
- Cultus Lake Horse Trail is 20 km round trip (5 hours), traveling from Edmeston Road to Watt Creek, which joins the north and south ends of the park
- Giant Douglas-fir Trail begins 150 metres west of Delta Grove campground. The walk leads to this forest goliath and also connects with Clear Creek campground (45 minute return walk) .
- Maple Bay Trail starts near the day-use parking lot and provides a self-guiding interpretive stroll past some of the park's natural wonders (30 minutes).
Horseback Riding
Interpretive Programs
Pets on Leash
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Swimming
Waterskiing
Wildlife Viewing
Facilities Available at this Park
Boat Launch
Campfires
Drinking Water
Group Camping
There are three group site available at Cultus; Two at Honeymoon Bay, each of which can accommodate 15 to 45 people, and a third ”Westside” group site which can hold a maximum of 30 people, which will provide an area for RVers and tenters to enjoy the lake. To get to the Westside group site: Approach from Chilliwack on Columbia Valley Hwy. Approx. 7 km from Chilliwack.
All group site users must check in at the Cultus Lake Gate House first to register and get camping information.
Group sites are open from April 1 to October 12. To book a group site or for more information, check out Discover Camping.
Get more information on how to reserve group campground and picnicking areas in BC Parks
Youth group camping charges per night are $1/person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum.
Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, listed in the fee schedule, plus $4/adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (6-15).
Picnic Areas
There are picnic grounds with tables and garbage containers at Entrance Bay, Maple Bay, and Spring Bay day-use areas. There are parking facilities for 700 vehicles. Changehouses are located at Entrance Bay and Maple Bay. The Spring Bay day-use area is open all year with no services. The available beaches are sandy. Entrance Bay and Maple Bay campgrounds have flush toilets. Spring Bay campground has only pit toilets. Campfires are prohibited. However, some picnic tables have BBQ stands for hibachis. There is a beach area for dogs, but they must remain on leash. There is a gate that is locked between dusk and 8:00 am during which time the day-use area cannot be accessed.
Entrance Bay day use area is open from April 1 to October 8. Maple Bay day use and boat launch open from June 15 to September 3. Watt Creek open from April 1 to October 8. Spring Bay and Tea Pot Hill parking lot are open all year, weather permitting.
Pit or Flush Toilets
Sani-Station/Dump
Showers
Vehicle Accessible Camping
This park offers vehicle accessible campsites. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.
There are four campgrounds within this park: Clear Creek has 82 sites; Delta Grove has 57 sites; Entrance Bay has 52 sites; and Maple Bay has 104 sites. There are 19 double sites and no pull through sites. There is no parking available for extra vehicles. If no staff is available to help find a site, reserved sites are posted on the gate house board and remaining sites are on a first come first serve basis. Camping is not available if the gate is locked. There is a pay phone located at the gate house. The nearest store is in the municipality of Cultus Lake approximately 2km away.
Entrance Bay, Delta Grove, Maple Bay campgrounds:
Clear Creek campground:
