Lac La Hache Provincial Park

Back by popular demand 2013:
The Lac la Hache frontcountry campground has been reinstated to the Discover Camping reservation service due to customer feedback. After a one year absence from the reservation service, BC Parks’ visitors will be able to view and access this site again, starting on March 15, 2013.

About This Park

Lac La Hache is one of the most popular recreation lakes along Highway 97. There are many stories to explain how the lake was named; according to one, it gained its name when a trapper lost his only hatchet axe when chopping a hole in the frozen lake. This area is rich in tales of fur traders, gold seekers and cattle ranchers. By the 1860’s, gold fever was running high, as miners searched for the motherlode first near Likely, and later at Barkerville. With teams of horses, mules and oxen, the fortune-seekers plodded north along the Cariboo Wagon Road skirting the eastern shores of the lake.

Nowadays, Lac La Hache Park is a stopping point for weary travellers. Set amongst a stately Douglas-fir forest, the cool, green conifers shade campers from the hot Cariboo sun. Lac La Hache Park is located on Highway 97, 13 km north of the community of Lac La Hache. Established in 1956, with 83 campsites, flush toilets, tap water, a sani-station and a self-guided nature trail, Lac La Hache Park is a very pleasant campground. The day-use area is located across Highway 97 on the shore of Lac La Hache and has an adventure playground, picnic tables, picnic shelter, boat launch, developed beach, changehouse and flush toilets.

This is an excellent fishing lake for Kokanee and lake trout, as well as rainbow trout and burbot during the summer months. However, fishing need not be your only recreational pursuit, as the lake is also a popular place for power boating and water-skiing.

The Heritage House at 108 Mile is a half-hour’s drive from the campground, and is open from May to September. The campground host or Park Facility Operator can inform you of other things to do in the area, as well as boat rental locations. The community of Lac La Hache offers a grocery store, gas station, bakery, ice cream parlour and a few restaurants.

Park Size: 24 hectares

Special Notes: Prevent the spread of Eurasian water milfoil, an aquatic weed. This invasive foreign species can be introduced by pieces of the weed adhering to your boat's hull or propeller after you have visited lakes where it is present. Please ensure your boat is clean of all vegetation before you launch it in Lac La Hache.

Campground Dates 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 15 – September 30 (gate is closed during off-season but access to boat launch until October 11)
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:	May 15 – September 30
Campground Reservable Dates:	May 15 – September 1
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:	83
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served)	15
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

For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites and group sites must be reserved through Discover Camping.

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

Location and Maps

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

Location Map

The park is 13 km north of Lac La Hache community on Highway 97. The closest communities, towns and cities are Lac la Hache and 100 Mile House.

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 71KB]

Nature and Culture

History - The historic Cariboo Wagon road runs through the park. This was originally just a trail used by fur traders from 1803 to 1810. During the Cariboo Gold Rush of the 1860’s it was rebuilt, and it linked the gold fields of the Cariboo to the gold markets of the world, via the shipyards of Vancouver. One of the stops on the park’s Interpretive Trail is on the actual Wagon Road. The overgrown track seems a far cry from our modern Highway 97.
One of the stopping points on the Wagon Road for weary miners was the Blue Tent Ranch. It was built by the Wright family in 1862, after they discovered that cattle and the roadhouse provided a much steadier income than gold mining. The present day park is located on part of the original ranch land. Throughout the park, you can see the stumps from the lumber used to build the original ranch house. This heritage house still stands today, and can be seen next to the highway, roughly three kilometres north of the park. Lac La Hache was established as a Class A Provincial Park in 1956.
Cultural Heritage - Both the Shuswap and Chilcotin First Nations used the area. Long before the lure of wealth brought the fur traders west, the Shuswap Indians established pit houses near the present day village of Lac La Hache. The Chilcotins named the lake Kumatakwa, meaning Chief or Queen of the waters.
Conservation - The park is in the Interior Douglas Fir Zone, which is found in BC’s dry interior. There is a superb old-growth stand of Douglas-fir trees surrounding the campground. A fire in the 1960’s burned several hectares, and you can still see the scars on the bases of some fir trees, their thick bark allowed these trees to survive. Fire is part of natural succession here - sunlight reaching the forest floor allows the growth of trembling aspen and lodgepole pine, as well as pinegrass, bunchberry and beautiful pink wild roses.
Wildlife - Birds that thrive in this lakeside habitat include bald eagle, osprey and red-tailed hawk, as well as forest birds such as pileated woodpeckers, saw-whet owls, red crossbills, chickadees and nuthatches.
Because of the diversity in plant species, a wide variety of mammals lives in this area, from moose and black bears to humble shrews and chipmunks. There are also mule deer, pine martin, lynx, and flying squirrels.
General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

Management Planning

Management Planning Information

Approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan [PDF 122.99KB] for Lac La Hache Provincial Park is available in pdf format.

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Canoeing and kayaking are enjoyable activities on Lac La Hache. However, the lake is also used for power-boating and water-skiing.

Cycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Fishing

This is an excellent fishing lake for Kokanee and lake trout, as well as rainbow trout and burbot during the summer months. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Hiking

The Wagon Road Self-Guided Nature Trail is 2 km in length. It leads visitors on a voyage of discovery -- from the ingenious eating habits of red crossbills to the Gold Rush history of the area. 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.

Pets on Leash

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.

Swimming

There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. A wide, sandy beach welcomes summer visitors and an area is roped off for swimming. Changing rooms, an open air shower and washrooms are provided.

Waterskiing

Lac la Hache is a popular lake for waterskiing.

Facilities Available at this Park

Boat Launch

A double-wide, cement ramp boat launch is provided at the day-use area. Waterskiing is very popular at Lac La Hache.

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 water taps are located throughout the park. Taps are shut off during the off-season. There are no hose hookups for campers/trailers.

Picnic Areas

This park has a day-use/picnic area. There is a covered shelter with picnic tables and a wood stove, change houses, pit and flush toilets, cold water taps, and fire pits. There is also an adventure playground in the day-use area and horseshoe pits located in the campground. The gate to the day-use area is locked between 11pm and 8am.

Pit or Flush Toilets

Pit and flush toilets are located throughout the park.

Playground

There is an adventure playground in the day-use area near the beach.

Sani-Station/Dump

A sani-station/dump is available during the collecting season.

Sani-station Use Fee: $5.00 per discharge

Vehicle Accessible Camping

This park offers vehicle accessible campsites. These range in size with many larger sites including a few pull through sites. There are also around 10 sites that have tent pads. However, there are no double sites. The sites are nestled amongst the trees and most are large enough to accommodate for extra vehicles. Campsite reservations are available at this park and first-come, first-served sites are also available. See the above map for more information. If staff are not around when you arrive at the campground, choose your site and pay later. Staff will be at the campground at least once a day during the camping season. There is a pay phone located at the campground entrance and the closest store is across the highway at the Crystal Springs Resort.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $16.00 per party / night

BC Senior's Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $8.00 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

Wheelchair Access

Some facilities in the park are wheelchair accessible. The flush toilet buildings have wheelchair accessible stalls.