Ministry of Environment - Schoen Lake Provincial Park

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Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

Schoen Lake gate is locked and the campground still closed due to snow and trees across the road.
Please be advised that extremely heavy rains (75 to 100mm of rain in 24 hours), although unlikely during the summer months, can create the potential for another slide. Campers need to be aware of this, and should be prepared to evacuate the campground in the event of such extremely heavy rains.
Click here to find out more about cougar safety information.
Firewood is not available. Please take all garbage with you when you leave.

Park Info:

With its superb scenery and countless opportunities for wilderness hiking, backpacking, boating, fishing, swimming and camping, Schoen Lake is one of the most beautiful parks on Vancouver Island. Located northwest of Campbell River in the Nimpkish Valley, Schoen Lake is a little more primitive than some parks, but the chance to view nature in all its glory more than makes up for the lack of modern amenities.

You’ll find peace and quiet at your campsite in this wilderness park - one of the few that offers vehicle-accessible camping on northern Vancouver Island. Within the park’s protective boundaries are old-growth forests, waterways, meadows, small lakes and essential deer, Roosevelt elk and fish habitat.

Park Size: 8,430 hectares

Special Notes:

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Approved Management Plan

Location:

Location Map

Schoen Lake Provincial Park is located 140 km north of Campbell River on Vancouver Island. Access to the camping area is via the gravel Davie Road, approximately 12 km south of Hwy 19, north of Sayward. The Nisnak Meadows area at the east end of the park can be reached via the upper Adam Road. Both roads can be rough and logging vehicles are common. Nearby communities include: Woss, Port McNeill, Sayward

Map/Brochure:

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

Location Map

Nature & Culture:

History - Formerly a Canadian Forest Products recreation site, Schoen Lake Park was established in 1977 to protect and preserve natural values including representative landscape of the Vancouver Island Mountains, significant stands of old growth forest and Roosevelt elk. Additional parkland was added in 1995. This section is referred to as the Davie River addition (259 ha).
Conservation - The primary role of the Davie River addition is to protect old-growth forest values on a steeply sloping ridge, which is a significant portion of the viewscape for park visitors approaching from Highway 19. The area also protects glaciers, waterways, meadows, small lakes, and essential wildlife habitat for deer, elk and fish.
Wildlife - The area protects wildlife habitat for deer, elk and fish.

Visitor Safety:

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

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.

Contact Information:

Namgis First Nation

This park offers 9 vehicle-accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis. All sites are located close to the lake and no facilities are provided other than pit toilets. Campsite reservations are not accepted. Campsite fees are collected by a self-registration system at the park.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $10.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only): $5.00 per senior's couple/night

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.)	May 15 - September 30 Schoen Lake campground will be closed from November 01, 2007 to February 29, 2008. This is due to the potential for slides caused by the heavy winter storms. The gate at the park boundary will be closed and locked.
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:	May 15 - September 30 Off-season from October 1 to May 14 with no services provided; self-sufficient.
Campground Reservable Dates:	Not applicable
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:	9
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 or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. The most popular spots are Schoen Creek, Nisnak Creek and upstream from Nisnak Creek toward Nisnak Meadows. Access to Nisnak Meadows is via an unmarked and unmaintained hiking route. Please practice Leave No Trace camping ethics.

Schoen Lake Park is open year round depending on road conditions. Typically the access road to the campsite is impassable due to snow from late December to late March. There is no winter camping fee.

There are no group campsites at this park.

There is a small day-use/picnic area in the park next to the boat launch.

There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.

Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park. All surface water in the park must be boiled, filtered or treated prior to consumption.

There are two pit toilets available in the park, located in the centre of the campsite.

No showers.

No sani-station/dump facilities.

While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. Campers must use fire rings provided at each campsite.

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. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.

There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.

There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.

There are no maintained trails in this park, however there are some rugged, unmarked routes that offer hiking opportunities. Routes include the Schoen Creek Trail from the Davie Road campground and the Nisnak Lake Trail. Or set your sights on 1,802-meter Mt. Schoen, a climb that will reward you with panoramic vistas of the lake and surrounding area.

This park does not have a playground.

There is no designated swimming area at this park, however visitors do swim in Schoen Lake. Caution: Near the campsite is a log jam covering the outflow of Schoen lake flowing into the Davie River. Swimmers should stay clear of this log jam as it is unstable and currents can be unsafe. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

There are canoeing and kayaking opportunities at this park in 5-km long Schoen Lake. Paddlers can set in at a rough boat launching area, located at the Schoen Lake campsite.

This park has a rough boat launching area for car-toppers located at the Schoen Lake campsite; a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended.

Campers and day-use visitors can enjoy angling for lake trout in Schoen Lake. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Bicycles are only permitted on park roads. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia

No horseback riding.

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash and under control at all times. 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.

No wildlife viewing opportunities.

This park offers potential for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing in the small sub-alpine area located 3 km north of the campsite. This area can only be accessed via Canadian Forest Products logging roads from the Mt. Cain road.

No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.

No windsurfing opportunities.

No waterskiing opportunities.

Portions of this park are open to hunting for specific species. Hunters must have valid licences and tags. Please refer to the current Hunting and Trapping Regulations and Synopsis publication for closures and regulations.

No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.

No spelunking or caving opportunities.

No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.