Lakelse Lake Provincial Park
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A campfire ban is currently in effect for this park. For more information about campfire bans and about provincial parks with park closures and campfire bans in effect, visit the BC Parks campfire ban webpage.
Park Info
Lakelse Lake Provincial Park is situated in the Skeena River Watershed and is surrounded by the mountains of the Kitimat Range. The park preserves stands of impressive old growth cedar, hemlock and Sitka spruce forests which thrive in the moist air swept in from the Pacific Ocean. Salmon-bearing streams, sandy beaches, water sports and wildlife are some attractions this park offers.
Park Size: 354 hectares
Special Notes:
- licenced motor vehicles, including motorcycles, are restricted to vehicle roads and parking areas. Please keep vehicles and equipment on the camp pads or driveways. Unlicenced vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles, are not permitted in the park.
- For safety reasons, firearms are not permitted in the park. Lakelse Lake Park is closed to hunting.
- There are hot springs available 2.5 km south of Furlong Bay Campground along Highway 37.
| Campground Hours of Operation
All dates are subject to change without notice |
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| Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.) |
May 8 – September 15 |
| Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: | May 8 – September 15 |
| Campground Reservable Dates: | May 8 – September 15 |
| Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: | 156 |
| Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
40 |
| 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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General Visitor Information
Please boat and water ski with care. Areas around docking and launching facilities are not suitable for water skiing. Please avoid them.
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Location
Approximately 20 km south of Terrace and 40 km north of Kitimat on Highway #37. Located approximately 2.5 km north of the Mount Layton Hotsprings. From the junction of Highway #37 and #16, it is 14 km to Gruchy’s Beach day use-area, 15 km to the Lakelse Lake picnic site and group site and 19 km to Furlong Bay Campground.
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Nature & Culture
- History - The word "Lakelse" comes from the Tsimshian language meaning "fresh water mussel", for the mollusk that is found on the bottom of both Lakelse Lake and River. Prior to Lakelse Lake becoming a provincial park, Hatchery Creek, which runs throughout the park, was the site of a sockeye salmon hatchery operated by the Canadian Government between 1919 and 1936. Lakelse Lake Provincial Park was established on March 16, 1956.
- Wildlife - Within this old growth coastal forest, diverse wildlife populations and plant communities exist. The Kermodei bear, a white species of black bear, is native to the area. Coyote, moose, wolf, cougar, and many other mammals are also in the area.
About 100 bird species have been counted in the area, including Canada geese, bald eagles, ospreys and trumpeter swans. This swan is the largest species of North American waterfowl and was once on the brink of extinction. A good sized group of them spends the winter at Lakelse Lake. - General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
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Map / Brochure
Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
- Area map - Douglas Channel Area Parks and Protected Areas (2.2 MB pdf)
- Park Map (122 kb pdf)
- Lakelse lake Campground map
- Brochure
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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.
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Activities Available At This Park
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Canoeing | |
Canoeing, windsurfing, and sailing are all popular activities on Lakelse Lake. No rentals available at this time.
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Cycling | |
There are no bicycle trails in this park. Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
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Fishing | |
Some excellent fishing opportunities await during summer and winter. Trout and Dolly Varden are common catches in the lake while the area's rivers boast world-class salmon and steelhead runs. All five species of Pacific salmon spawn in these waters. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
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Hiking | |
Hike the easy 2 km Twin Spruce Trail or the easy 1 km Gruchy's Beach Trail and observe the coastal old growth forests and salmon streams. 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. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
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Interpretive Programs | |
Interpretive programs are scheduled for the summer. Times and activities are posted at the gatehouse, or the schedule can be viewed here.
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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.
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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Swimming | |
A swimming area is roped off at Furlong Bay and the Lakelse picnic site. The beaches are sandy and the water temperature is cool in August. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
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Waterskiing | |
There are water-skiing opportunities on Lakelse Lake.
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Wildlife Viewing | |
There is no viewing platform but the viewing is great for spawning salmon and wildlife.
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Windsurfing | |
There are windsurfing opportunities on Lakelse Lake.
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Winter Recreation | |
Snowshoeing is available in the winter on existing hiking trails. Ice-skating is available on Lakelse Lake. Check for proper ice thickness before going out and bring your own skates. Cross-country skiing is available at Onion Lake approximately a 5-minute drive south of Furlong Bay Campground. Downhill skiing and tobogganing are available outside the park at Shames Mountain, approximately a 45-minute drive west of Terrace.
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Facilities Available At This Park
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Boat Launch | |
A double, paved boat launch and loading dock complete with parking are conveniently situated to the nearby day-use area at Furlong Bay. Boating, water-skiing and fishing are popular activities on Lakelse Lake. There is no access to the boat launch from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am during the camping season and off-season.
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Campfires | |
Firewood can be purchased from the Park Facility Operator for a fee. The firewood fee is $5.00 per bundle of wood (including GST). Campfires are allowed in the day use areas but must be contained in the provided fire rings. Fires are not allowed at Grunchy's Beach area. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented and some parks may use communal fire rings. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.
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Drinking Water | |
Cold water taps are located throughout the park. Hose hookups for campers/trailers are not available. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
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Group Camping | |
There is a group campsite at this park. It offers 8 campsites, a covered shelter, a grassy area, a sandy beach, volleyball net and a large fire ring. Click here for reservation information.
Group Camping Fee: $22.00 per party / night
Youth Group Camping Fee: $50.00 per group / night |
Picnic Areas | |
This park has two day-use/picnic areas. They both have tables, a covered picnic shelter with wood stove, parking, fire rings, water and sandy beaches. The Furlong Bay picnic site also has a grassy playground area, wheelchair access to the beach, volleyball net, a toilet/change house and a pay phone. Gates are locked from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am.
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Pit or Flush Toilets | |
Pit and flush toilets are located throughout the park. Flush toilets are shut down during the off-season.
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Playground | |
An adventure playground with grassy area for children is located in the Furlong Bay day-use area.
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Sani-Station/Dump | |
A sani-station/dump is available during the collecting season. It is
located between the gatehouse and the main information shelter, Furlong Bay
Campground.
Sani-station Use Fee: $2.00 per discharge
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Showers | |
There are three toilet/shower buildings they are located in Furlong Bay Campground.
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Vehicle Accessible Camping | |
This park offers vehicle accessible campsites in Furlong Bay Campground. The campground is half paved and half gravel and there are 16 double sites. The campsites can accommodate RV's and are shaded/treed. Parking is available for extra vehicles. The park has a gatehouse and gate that is locked from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am. There is one pay phone at Lakelse Lake Park and the nearest store is approximately 20 km away in Terrace.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $22.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$11.00
per senior's couple/night
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Wheelchair Access | |
The toilets, buildings and Furlong Beach area are wheelchair accessible.
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