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photo of Gwillim Lake ' Gwillim Lake Provincial Park
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important info, warnings, alerts for park visitors
general overview of park, size, special features safety, park hazards, wildlife information, health risks
park location, parks nearby, how to get to the park history, cultural heritage, conservation, wildlife
maps of park and/or campground, trails, etc. Management Planning
campsite reservations, group and picnic site reservations images of the park
 

vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping group camping - 15 or more campers picnic, day-use facilities, no camping wheelchair accessiblity drinking water toilets showers sani-stations, sani-dumps firewood, campfires There are no electrical hook-ups in this park interpretive, educational programs
walking, hiking trails playgrounds swimming canoeing, kayaking power boats, boat launch fishing cycling, mountain biking, bicycling horses, horseback riding pets, domestic animals in parks Icon Legend- Green =Available Grey = Unavailable

wildlife viewing
 winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating scuba, snorkelling windsurfing waterskiing hunting climbing, rock climbing spelunking, caving cabins, yurts, lodges click on green symbols for more information

 

Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

  • There are no park alerts at this time.

Park Info:

Winds whispering through the pine forests, waves lapping at the shoreline, Gwillim Lake Provincial Park provides a peaceful outdoor experience. Set in the picturesque Rocky Mountain Foothills on Highway 29, a half-hour's drive from Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge and the massive Northeast Coal development, visitors can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, swimming, hiking, fishing and a viewpoint that provides a panoramic vista of the superb Rocky Mountain scenery.

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Park Size: 32,458 ha

Special Notes:

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

  • Online Management planning information for this park is not available at this time.

Location:

Located 56 km southeast of Chetwynd; take Highway 29 south off Highway 97 (paved access).

Map/Brochure:

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

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Nature & Culture:
  • Conservation - Located in the Hart Foothills ecosection, Gwillim Lake Provincial Park houses a diverse array of both coniferous and deciduous tree species. Lodgepole pine, white spruce, trembling aspen, paper birch and balsam poplar are found along the lakeshore intermixed with low wetlands of black spruce, willow and alder. Forests at higher elevations consist of Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir that open up into parklands and alpine meadows higher up.
  • Wildlife - The deep blue waters of Gwillim Lake are home to bull trout, mountain whitefish, lake trout, arctic grayling, and northern pike. Due to low nutrient levels, the lake has a low regeneration capability for fish populations and is not able to sustain heavy fishing pressures. Please obey the catch limits posted in the BC Environment Fishing Regulations Synopsis. If you are an early riser, you might get a glimpse of a moose or deer foraging for food. The wetlands at the east end of the lake attract a large variety of waterfowl and shorebirds and the park is home to a small population of bald eagles.
  • General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information


Visitor Safety:

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

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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.

 

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vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites

This park offers vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis - campsite reservations are not accepted.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only): $7.50 per senior's couple/night

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.)

 May 1 - September 28
(Weather permitting as gate is closed when snow falls)
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: May 1 - September 28
(Weather permitting)
Campground Reservable Dates: Not applicable
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: 49
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.
wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping

Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
group camping - 15 or more campers

No group campsites.
picnic, day-use facilities, no camping

This park has a day-use/picnic area.
wheelchair accessibility

There are wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.

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drinking water

A hand pump is located in the park. The hand pump may be removed during the off-season.
toilets

This park only has pit toilets - no flush toilets.
showers

No showers.
sani-stations, sani-dumps

No sani-station/dump facilities.
firewood, 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.
There are no electrical hook-ups in this park There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
interpretive, educational programs

There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.

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walking, hiking trails

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.

playgrounds

An adventure playground is situated in the middle of the campground.

swimming

There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. There is a swimming beach and marked swimming area.

canoeing, kayaking

Canoes and kayaks are welcome. Beware of easterly winds that create high waves in the open water.

power boats, boat launch

There is a boat launch complete with turnaround and a large parking area for vehicles with trailers.
fishing

Anglers can try their luck fishing for lake trout, bull trout, mountain whitefish, arctic grayling, northern pike and burbot. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Ice fishing is allowed during the winter season but visitors should be aware that the park road from Hwy #29 to the lake is snowed in usually until late April or early May. Snowmobiles have been used to travel this 1km of road. Please note: the school camp road is private and there is no access to the park from this road.

cycling, mountain biking, bicycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
horses, horseback riding

Horseback riding is permitted in the Elephant Ridge addition to Gwillim Lake Park.
pets, domestic animals in parks 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.
wildlife viewing

There are wildlife viewing opportunities.

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winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating

There are snowshoeing and backcountry skiing opportunities.

scuba, snorkelling

There are SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.
windsurfing

There are windsurfing opportunities.
waterskiing

There are waterskiing opportunities.
hunting

Hunting is allowed in the Elephant Ridge addition to the park. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations synopsis for more information.

climbing, rock climbing

There are climbing or rock climbing opportunities.
spelunking, caving

No spelunking or caving opportunities.
cabins, yurts, lodges

No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use. There are some buildings used by a school camp but they are for private use only.

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