Adams Lake Marine Park: Refuge Bay Site

Highlights in this site

Refuge Bay provides one of the few secure boat landing sites on the north end of Adams Lake. The park offers an opportunity for lakeshore camping for both vehicle and boat access. Adams Lake is noted for fishing and boating. The park has limited facilities, so campers should be self-sufficient.

History

Established June 2000.

Conservation

The park protects a small undisturbed mixed stand of cedar, spruce and hemlock as well as extensive varied aged Douglas fir and lodgepole pine forests.

Know before you go

Advisories

Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.

Visit responsibly

Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:

Maps and location

Getting there

Located at the north west end of Adams Lake. The closest communities, towns and cities are Scotch Creek, Chase, Vavenby, Barriere and Kamloops.

Camping

Frontcountry camping

This park offers camping opportunities to a maximum of five camping units. Sites are primitive with no tables or metal fire rings. Due to the small scale of the camping sites and access road, camping with large recreational units is not recommended.

Things to do

Swimming

There are swimming opportunities at this park. There is no roped-off swimming area at this park.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

There are kayak and canoe camping opportunities on Adams Lake. There are many camping opportunities that are marine access only.

Fishing

Fishing is popular at Adams Lake for kokanee and rainbow trout.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Wildlife viewing

There are no viewing platforms but there are wildlife viewing opportunities.

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.

Waterskiing

Adams Lake has waterskiing opportunities. Adams Lake is a very large lake and it’s water conditions can change quickly. Be aware of the weather and water conditions before waterskiing. There are no motor size restrictions on Adams Lake.

Windsurfing

Adams Lake can get strong winds - great for windsurfing.

Scuba diving

There are scuba diving opportunities in Adams Lake.

Facilities

Campfires

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. Bring a portable stove for cooking.

Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.

Pit or flush toilets

This park has one user maintained pit toilet - no flush toilets.