Canim Beach Park | BC Parks

Highlights in this park

Canim Beach Park is a six hectare park located near 100 Mile House. Its situation on the shores of Canim Lake offers views across the lake to the Quesnel Highlands sloping upwards to the massive Cariboo Mountains.

Canim Lake is one of the larger lakes in the Cariboo, and is popular for fishing, paddling, swimming, picnicking and waterskiing. The area features include Canim Falls at the east end of the lake in Wells Gray Park, and picturesque views of the surrounding mountains.

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

Location Map

Getting there

The park is located approximately 43 km northeast of 100 Mile House via the paved Canim Lake Road off Highway 97. The closest community is Forest Grove where gas, groceries, and a restaurant are located. For a more detailed map, please refer to topographical map number: 1:50,000 92P/15

Things to do

Hiking

Consider hiking to the falls located at the east end of the lake. The trail starts from the logging road that parallels the south side of Canim Lake. There is a small gravel parking lot at the trailhead. For your own safety and preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

Swimming

Canim Beach is a great place to cool off on a hot summer day. It has a nice pebble beach remnant of a glacial time. Swimmers need to be cautious of the steep drop off away from the shore line.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

Canim Lake is very scenic and a great place for paddling. It is a fairly large lake, so it’s best to stay close to shore in case the wind comes up, as big waves can appear quite suddenly. Always wear your personal floatation device. Private resorts in the area may offer boat, canoe, kayak and paddlewheel rentals.

Fishing

Canim Lake and other lakes in the area are popular for fishing.

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

Pets on leash

Pets and 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.

About this park

Cultural heritage

This park lies in the traditional territory of the Secwepemc (Shuswap) First Nation. While no heritage sites are known within the park, please remember it is illegal to damage such sites or remove artifacts.

History

Canim Beach Park was established in 1956 as a Class A park. This park is popular with local residents for swimming and fishing. The combination gravel-pebble beach is a reminder of the glacial activity of the past.

Conservation

Beautiful forest typical of the Cariboo Basin, feauring mature Douglas-fir trees surround Canim Lake. The lake, popular for fishing, supports healthy populations of trout species.

Wildlife

Wildlife inhabiting this ecosystem, and possible to encounter around Canim Beach Park, include mule deer, coyote, beaver, otter, black bear, waterfowl, hawks and song birds.

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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