Lakelse Lake Provincial Park

About This Park

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.

New features available

Visitor Centre
Amphitheatre

Know Before You Go

Stay Safe

For safety reasons, firearms are not permitted in the park. Lakelse Lake Park is closed to hunting.
Please boat and water ski with care. Areas around docking and launching facilities are not suitable for water skiing; please avoid them.

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.

Reservations

All campsite and group site reservations must be made the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first-come, first-served.

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 through the BC Parks reservations system.

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.

Maps and Brochures

Nature and 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

Management Planning

Management Planning Information
Approved Lakelse Lake Provincial Park Management Direction Statement [PDF] Because of the large size of the maps, they are listed separately.

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Canoeing, windsurfing, and sailing are all popular activities on Lakelse Lake. No rentals available at this time.

Cycling

There are no bicycle trails in this park. Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

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.

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.

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

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.

Waterskiing

There are water-skiing opportunities on Lakelse Lake.

Wildlife Viewing

There is a viewing platform near the Williams Creek bridge to observe spawning salmon.

Windsurfing

There are windsurfing opportunities on Lakelse Lake.

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.

Facilities Available at this Park

Accessibility

The toilets, buildings and Furlong Beach area are wheelchair-accessible.

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.

Campfires

Firewood can be purchased from the Park Operator for a fee. The firewood fee is $6.00 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 Gruchy’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.

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.

Electrical Hookups

50 campsites have RV electrical outlets (120 V; 30 Amp; 60 Hz):
Sites 10-11, 25-34, 39, 41-51, 110-123, 129-133, 136-138, 144-147.

There is an additional electrical service charge of $7/night (includes tax) for these sites (whether the power is in use or not).

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. Reservation information ».

Youth group camping charges per night are $1/person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum. Read the Youth Group policy about Criteria for Youth Groups.

Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, which is $120.00/group site/night, plus $5/adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (6-15). Children under 6 are free!

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.

Pit or Flush Toilets

Pit and flush toilets are located throughout the park. Flush toilets are shut down during the off-season.

Playground

An adventure playground with grassy area for children is located in the Furlong Bay day-use area.

Sani-Station/Dump

A sani-station/dump is available during the collecting season. It is located between the park entrance gate and the main information shelter at the Furlong Bay Campground.

Sani-station Use Fee: $5.00 per discharge

Showers

There are three toilet/shower buildings they are located in Furlong Bay Campground.

Vehicle Accessible Camping

This park offers reservable 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 RVs 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 5:00 am. The nearest store is approximately 20 km away in Terrace.

As the campground is 100% reservable, you must register at the gatehouse during gatehouse hours. Outside of gatehouse hours, register with the park operator at campsite #21 before occupying a campsite.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $28.00 per party/night plus, if applicable $6.00 electrical/night = $34.00/party/night.

BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $14.00 per senior party/night plus, if applicable $6.00 electrical/night = $20.00/party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

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