Call Lake Park | BC Parks

Highlights in this park

Call Lake Park is situated in an ecologically diverse area. The rolling topography includes wetlands, coniferous and deciduous forests as well as rare grasslands. The varied range of habitats supports many types of mammals and birds, and provides a range of recreational opportunities.

Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities on the trails, while anglers enjoy the opportunity to fish for brook trout in Call Lake. In the winter, the trails are available for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Bring your own drinking water, as potable water is not available in the park.

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

Call Lake Park lies approximately 5 km southeast of Smithers. Hiking trails begin at VanGaalen and Mountainview Roads (access from Upper Viewmount Road), just north of Highway 16. The closest communities, towns and cities are Smithers and Telkwa.

Things to do

Hiking

This park has hiking and walking trails. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

There are two trails in Call Lake Park:

The first trail is accessed from the end of VanGaalen Road. This 700 m long trail follows a ridge with some nice views of the Bulkley Valley before dropping down to Call Lake.
The second trail is accessed from the end of Mountainview Road and is a great hiking and biking trail. This 3 km and 5 km stacked loop trail extends beyond the park boundary but is signed outside the park. The upper part of the trail follows a ridge and provides great views of the Bulkley Valley and Hudson Bay Mountain, while the lower part of the trail parallels the shore of Call Lake. It is approximately 700 m from the parking lot to the lake via the lower trail.

Please close all gates when entering or leaving the park.

Canoeing

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park. Both trails can be used to carry a boat into the lake. All boats must be removed from the park following use.

Fishing

Call Lake is stocked with brook trout and ice fishing is popular during the winter season.

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

Wildlife viewing

Due to the varied terrain within Call Lake Park, it is a great location for viewing birds, including waterfowl near the lake itself.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be under control at all times. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.

Cycling

Bicycling is permitted on established park trails only. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

For details on e-biking within Call Lake Park, see the e-biking section.

E-Biking

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are permitted on signed or designated trails within Call Lake Park, provided they meet the definitions and criteria for e-bike use as outlined in the BC Parks cycling guidelines.

Horseback riding

Horses and horseback riding are permitted.

Winter recreation

Hiking trails from VanGaalen and Mountainview Roads lead visitors to Call Lake and can be used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

There are also opportunities for ice skating on Call Lake.

Restrictions on snowmobile use in Call Lake Park are in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone recreating in the park. Snowmobiling within the park is only allowed under a letter of authorization (LOA) from BC Parks and only for the purpose of accessing ice fishing locations on Call Lake. Individuals wishing to use a snowmobile within the park must complete, sign and carry the LOA for snowmobile access [PDF] with them before entering the park, and must follow all regulations stipulated in the letter while in the park. These regulations include:

Snowmobile use is restricted to either of the two established access trails to Call Lake (via Mountainview or Van Gaalen Trailheads), or on Call Lake itself. Snowmobile use on the marshy area at the north end of the lake is prohibited.
Except where entering and exiting the lake on one of the two access trails, stay off the outer 20m of the lake to leave room for skiers and snowshoers.
Limit speed on all trails and on the lake to 15 km/h.
Yield to other users.
Only operate a snowmobile if there is enough snow to protect the ground from damage caused by the snowmobile track.
Bring all firewood from outside the park and remove any unburned wood from the lake when done. Collecting firewood from the surrounding forest is prohibited.

Call Lake is stocked with brook trout and ice fishing is popular during the winter season. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

About this park

Cultural heritage

Call Lake Park lies within the asserted traditional territory of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation. Historically, the area was likely burned by First Nations to increase berry production.

History

The area surrounding Call Lake has long been used recreationally by local residents and was previously grazed by cattle. In 1999, with recommendation from the Bulkley Land and Resource Management Plan, Call Lake was designated as a class A provincial park to protect conservation values and to provide diverse recreational and educational opportunities.

Conservation

Call Lake Park lies in the under-represented SBSdk variant of the Bulkley Basin Ecosection. The park protects an important part of the Bulkley Valley corridor, 90% of which is privately owned land. The park is home to several hectares of the red-listed Saskatoon slender wheatgrass scrub-steppe plant community.

Wildlife

Call Lake Park, in combination with the adjacent Wildlife Habitat Management Area, provides critical winter and spring moose and deer habitat and spring and summer bear habitat. The varied topography and ecosystems provide habitat for numerous mammals and birds. Call Lake is stocked with brook trout.

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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