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Total number of campsites
Total reservable frontcountry sites: 9
Total vehicle-accessible sites: 25
Total double sites: 3
Total groupsites: 1
Total wilderness sites: 54
Total cabins: 6
Backcountry camping

Campsites 

Wilderness camping is allowed at camping areas spaced out around the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit. The size of the sites varies from two to eight tent pads. All sites provide food caches, outhouses, and fire rings. Some feature picnic shelters or rustic cabins. Refer to the map in the Bowron Lake Park brochure for exact locations.

Reservations

A Canoe Circuit reservation is required to stay at these areas. For information on making a reservation, see the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit reservations page. All reservations must be made through the BC Parks reservation service.

Fees

Full circuit camping fee$60 per person
West Side camping fee$30 per person
Cabins and huts

There are seven cabins located throughout the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit, which hold from four to six people. They are available throughout the summer and winter. There is no additional charge to use them but they must be shared. Refer to the map in the park brochure for locations of the cabins. 

The cabins are for emergency use and for drying out equipment only. They are not intended for camping. 

There are no lodges in the park for public use. However, there are two near the park boundary on Bowron Lake.

Group camping

Backcountry group camping is available along the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit. Only one group departure consisting of seven to 14 people is permitted each day. Groups must follow a fixed itinerary as outlined in the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit group camping policies. Reservations are mandatory for groups. For information on making a reservation, see the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit reservations page.

Vehicle-accessible camping

Vehicle-accessible campsites are available at the Bowron Lake Campground. Campsite reservations are accepted and sites are also available on a first come, first served basis. For information on booking a reservation, see the frontcountry camping page.

There are 25 campsites at the campground. Three are doubles sites and the rest are medium-sized single sites. The campsites are shaded and parking is available for extra vehicles. 

If staff are not available when you arrive at the campground, choose your site and pay later. Staff will be at the campground at least once a day during the camping season.

Fees

Vehicle-accessible camping fee$18 per party per night
BC Senior Camping Discount rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only)$9 per senior party per night
Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Drinking water

Cold-water taps are located throughout Bowron Lake Park’s drive-in campground. Taps are shut off during the off-season. 

On the Canoe Circuit, you must use a reliable method of water purification, as no potable water is provided. Either boil drinking water for at least two minutes or use a commercial water filter effective against Giardia (beaver fever).

Boat launch

A gravel, single-wide boat launch is located at the north end of Bowron Lake, near the private lodges. There is a canoe landing dock at the main campground.

Power boats are only permitted on Bowron Lake and are not allowed on the Bowron Slough or other lakes in the park. However, park rangers do use power boats to travel throughout the canoe circuit.

 

Campfires

Campfires are permitted at Bowron Lake Park. Some firewood is available at woodlots located around the Canoe Circuit. The park operator will inform paddlers of woodlot locations upon registration.

Anyone using the Canoe Circuit must bring a portable stove for cooking. 

Pit or flush toilets

This park has only pit toilets. There are no flush toilets.

Hiking

Hiking trails

Aside from Canoe Circuit portages (see below), there are only two developed trails in Bowron Lake Park, which are both accessed from the the Canoe Circuit. These are short trails to viewpoints of Cariboo River Falls and Hunter Lake. Refer to the map in the park brochure for exact distance and location of trails. 

For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Taking shortcuts destroys plant life and soil structure.

Canoe Circuit portages

Portage trails link all the lakes and waterways of the Canoe Circuit, and provide safe routes around rapids and waterfalls. There are 10.8km of portages in total. All the portages are built to a high standard and are smooth enough for canoe carts, provided weight and width limits are complied with (see special notes, above). During the rainy season, portage trails may become rugged and muddy, making passage challenging in places.

Swimming

There are beautiful sandy beaches at many of the lakes on the Canoe Circuit. Swimming is a great way to ease tired paddling muscles. Although all the lakes are warm enough for bathing in the summer, you will find the lakes on the West Side warmer. These lakes are stream-fed, whereas the glaciers and snowfields of the Cariboo Mountains feed the East Side lakes.

There are no lifeguards on duty at BC Parks.

Canoeing

Canoeing and kayaking are by far the most popular activities in Bowron Lake Park. The Canoe Circuit is renowned worldwide, attracting many visitors from Europe, the United States, and across Canada.

Canoes and kayaks are allowed on the circuit. Motorized boats are not permitted. Canoes, kayaks, wall tents, and canoe carts are available for rent during the summer months through local outfitters as well as at the park through the park operator.

Making a reservation for the Canoe Circuit is essential as departures are limited and reservations usually sell out on the day they become available. For more information, see the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit reservations page.

To help you plan your trip around the Canoe Circuit, here are more useful resources:

Kayaking

Kayaks are permitted on the Canoe Circuit.

Fishing

The sport fish in the lakes and rivers on the Canoe Circuit are bull trout, kokanee, rainbow trout, and lake trout. Bring a variety of flies and lures. June and September have proven to be the best months for fishing. People can ice fish on Bowron Lake during the winter.

Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Local lodges and stores at Bowron sell licences. 

Pets on leash

Dogs and other domestic animals are not permitted on the Canoe Circuit. 

Pets are allowed in the vehicle-accessible campground. They must be leashed at all times and are not allowed in park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.

Backcountry areas are not suitable for pets due to the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.

Cycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways and are not allowed on trails in Bowron Lake Park. In particular, it should be noted that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy is for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.

Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Winter recreation

The canoe portage trails can be used as cross-country ski trails. However, there are no set tracks.