Park overview
A geologically interesting area offering rustic camping facilities, fishing and nature appreciation. Blue Earth Lake Park includes lakes, wetlands and riparian areas in a deep valley with significant value for song birds and waterfowl, surrounding upland forests and the Pavilion Mountains.
Advisories
Dates of operation
The park is open year-round
- Facility type
- Frontcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 6
- Main operating season
- 2024: year-round
- Winter season
- Not known
Safety info
- The road has several very tight corners and access with a long vehicle and trailer is problematic.
- There is a rough boat launch available for small trailer boats and car toppers, large boats and trailer are not suitable for this area.
- Drinking water can be taken from the lakes but should be boiled or treated before being consumed.
- The bottom of the lakes around the shoreline can be very muddy. This, combined with the presence of reeds renders the lake unsuitable for swimming. There are very few beach areas. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Camping
There are no defined sites. The area can accommodate five to six camping parties. All campsites are on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are not accepted.
On the first lake there are three to four sites. These sites have very little shade. The second lake has two sites. The first site has very little shade, the second has a number of trees around it. Most visitors camp with a truck and camper. The sites are very rustic. There are no tables. There are rock fire rings. There is no fee. There are no facilities other than toilets at this remote park.
Please note the road to this park can be very slippery in wet weather. The area is open year-round depending on weather and road conditions.
Facilities
There is an undeveloped area to launch small boats or canoes. Most visitors use small car top boats on these lakes.
If visitors require a campfire, keeping the campfire small can conserve firewood and air quality. Do not leave your campfire unattended. Please ensure the campfire is completely extinguished before leaving the area. Be prepared by bringing a portable stove for cooking.
To preserve vegetation and ground cover, it is prohibited to 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.
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.
There are two user maintained pit toilets. Visitors need to bring their own toilet paper.
Activities
There are no developed trails in the park. There are paths that follow the shoreline of the lakes. Visitors may walk along the roads in the area but should use caution and be alert to occasional traffic.
The lakes are very small in size, but canoeing and kayaking are popular.
The lakes are very small in size, but canoeing and kayaking are popular.
Blue Earth Lake is popular for trout fishing. A stream used by spawning trout connects the lakes. Fishing is good throughout the spring and summer, but is dependent on the weather.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash 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.
Mountain biking is possible on the numerous logging roads in the area. Visitors should exercise caution if active logging is occurring in the area.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Blue Earth Lake Park. 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.
Hunting is permitted in this park only during lawful game hunting season. Check the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.
Found 30 km southwest of Cache Creek, Blue Earth Lake Park is accessed by gravel road from the Trans Canada Hwy north of Spences Bridge. The turnoff from the highway is onto Venables Valley Rd. The park boundary is reached approximately 17 km from this turnoff. Visitors need to refer to a backcountry road map to access this park. With new clearcuts and logging roads being created, it is easy to lose your way. The nearest community is Cache Creek.
To Blue Earth Lake (zeroed from the Venables Valley Road Highway #1 Turnoff):
| 0 km | Turn off Highway #1 at Venables Valley Road (main entrance) |
| 4.8 km | Keep right |
| 5.2 km | Four-way intersection, go straight through |
| 9.5 km | Keep right |
| 9.8 km | Keep left (major road to Right) |
| 11.1 km | Keep right |
| 12.3 km | Keep left |
| 12.4 km | Keep right |
| 12.9 km | Go straight (major road to right) |
| 14.8 km | Keep left |
| 16.0 km | Keep left |
| 16.5 km | Keep right |
| 16.8 km | Keep left |
| 16.9 km | Park boundary sign |
| 17.6 km | Camping area at Small Lake |
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: May 20, 2004
- Size: 689 hectares
Nature and culture
History
Established by OIC April 30 1996, the park was created as a result of recommendations made in the Kamloops Land and Resource Management Plan. The park will be managed according to the Interim Management Direction Statement for Blue Earth Lake Park.
Cultural Heritage
Regionally important archaeological sites and noted as traditional indigenous use.
Conservation
Lakes, wetlands and riparian areas in a deep valley with significant value for song birds and waterfowl. Small areas of old-growth Douglas fir and mature aspen. An area of geological interest as the junction of the spectacular Marble Canyon limestones to the north, with the volcanism of the Spences Bridge group to the south.
Wildlife
Spawning trout may be seen in the shallow channel between the lakes in early summer.
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.