Bearhole Lake Protected Area

Highlights in this protected area

Fishing, cross-country skiing, canoeing, camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing are just some of the outdoor pursuits that can all be enjoyed in Bearhole Lake Park.

The area teems with wildlife. Watch moose wade through the marsh and lake shallows or observe beaver busily chewing bark off of willow or aspen twigs. Bird enthusiasts will enjoy seeing nesting trumpeter swans or listening to many of the warblers found in and around the area.

Whatever you choose, this clear water lake definitely has a lot to offer.

Know before you go

Advisories

Special notes

Trumpeter swans are easily disturbed during the nesting period. Please do not approach these elegant birds or their young during this critical time.
Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) are prohibited in this park. ORVs include ATVs, off-road motorcycles, snowmobiles and side-by-sides.

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

Park Map [PDF]

Getting there

Bearhole Lake Protected Area is located 25 km east of Tumbler Ridge on the Alberta Plateau. Access is via 20 km west along the Kiskatinaw Forest Service Road You can access the Forestry Road from the Heritage Highway. Please note: The Forestry Road is not usually maintained and becomes rutted and slippery after rains. Caution advised.

Camping

Frontcountry camping

There are vehicle-accessible camping facilities at the park.

Wilderness camping

Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.

When visiting the backcountry, always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. To learn more about staying safe in the backcountry, read our backcountry guide.

Things to do

Hiking

There are no developed trails at this park but visitors can explore the area. Always be prepared when venturing out in the wilderness.

Swimming

There are swimming opportunities in the park.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.

Kayaking

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.

Fishing

There are fishing opportunities in this park.

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

Wildlife viewing

There are wildlife viewing opportunities.

Cycling

Bicycling is permitted in the park. Helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Bearhole Lake Protected Area. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is permitted.

Hunting

The park is open to hunting. All hunters to the area should refer to the current BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.

Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Winter recreation

There are snowshoeing and backcountry skiing opportunities in the park.

Facilities

Boat launch

There is a boat launch in the park.

Campfires

Campfires are permitted. 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. Be prepared to 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.

Picnic areas

There is a day-use area and picnic facilities in the park.

Pit or flush toilets

There are pit toilets in this park.

About this protected area

Cultural heritage

Area of traditional use by First Nations of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association.

Conservation

Trumpeter swans find critical nesting habitat in and around Bearhole Lake. The area surrounding the lake contains undisturbed boreal white and black spruce forests and wetlands typical of the Kiskatinaw Plateau ecosection. The headwaters of the Kiskatinaw River are within the boundaries of the park. Low elevation caribou, moose and white-tailed deer find important winter range within the park.

Wildlife

The lake contains yellow perch, burbot, rainbow trout, northern pike, large-scale sucker, and white sucker. Trumpeter swans use the lake and surrounding marsh to nest and fledge their young. Moose, caribou, black bear, white-tailed deer and numerous small mammals and birds all reside in the park.

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.

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