Seagrave - Camping British Columbia and Yukon: the complete guide to national, provincial and territorial campgrounds

Bull Canyon Provincial Park is between Williams Lake and Bella Coola.

Location

The people who once walked the land around Big Bar Lake were First Nations hunters, cowboys, cattle rustlers and gold prospectors. According to local legends, their ghosts can often be seen and heard, so be attentive when you stay here. Big Bar Lake is on the southern edge of the Fraser Plateau, a landscape formed millions of years ago by debris left by glaciers. Evidence of the ice age can be seen west of the lake, where gravel eskers remain; much of the topography owes its development to this geological period. To reach Big Bar Lake, drive 8 kilometres north of Clinton on Highway 97 and then take a gravel road west for 34 kilometres to the park itself. The nearest services can be found at 70 Mile House.

Facilities

The 332-hectare park has two campgrounds with a total of 46 spots accommodating every size of recreational vehicle. Lakesides 25 sites overlook the lake, and 15 are right on the lakeshore, while the Upper campgrounds larger sites are located in the forest above the lake. The facilities are basic (fire pits, picnic tables, drinking water, pit toilets). Reservations are accepted.

Recreational activities

A naturalists delight, this area is characterized by forests of lodgepole pine and spruce providing an excellent habitat for wildlife, including mule deer, black bears (which we saw while travelling here), cougars, lynx, marmots and snowshoe hares. Easy access to the lake and a boat launch means boating and fishing are possible. The lake is stocked annually with rainbow trout, some rumoured to be as heavy as 3 kilograms. Big Bar Lake is a gorgeous body of water that is also ideal for swimming: crystal-clear water, quite warm and no reeds. Waterskiing is not permitted and there is a speed limit for boats. A 3.5-kilometre trail provides excellent waterfowl and birdwatching, which is facilitated by a water-control structure built by Ducks Unlimited to encourage nesting. Longer hikes are also possible. There is a childrens playground in the day-use area.

Additional information

Big Bar Lake Provincial Park is in an area of rolling hills originally settled by the Salish First Nation. Today, its known as ranch country, and trail rides can be arranged through the numerous guest ranches located in the area. These ranches operate year-round and also offer riding lessons, pack trips, gold-panning excursions and skiing. The fact that snowshoe hares are found around Big Bar Lake should forewarn you that even early in the season, beautiful warm days can turn into clear, cold nights. So act like a cowboy and remember the long johns if youll be camping under canvas. We stayed here in 2006 and I swam at 8:00 p.m. when the entire lake was mine. Bliss. Be warned, though, that mosquitoes affect certain areas of the park, but that problem can be avoided by changing locations.

Location

Bowron Lake Provincial Park is famous for its wilderness canoe circuit, which covers over 116 kilometres around 11 different lakes, but theres also a vehicle-accessible campground anyone can use. The park is located 120 kilometres east of Quesnel and 30 kilometres beyond Wells, reached by taking a 27-kilometre dirt road found at the end of Highway 26. Two resorts and some stores on Bowron Lake offer a selection of services, including food and camping supplies, while a full range can be found in Wells.

Facilities

Twenty-ve wooded secluded campsites suitable for vehicles and tents are located near the park entrance and start of the canoe circuit. Facilities are basic (picnic tables, fire pits, drinking water and pit toilets) and reservations are accepted. There are 54 wilderness sites located elsewhere in the 149,207-hectare park for those undertaking the canoe circuit.