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Advisories

Camping

Vehicle-accessible camping

The park has one campground situated between 3rd and 2nd lake. None of the sites are on the lakeshore but some have lake views with short access trails to the 3rd or 2nd lake loop trails. Champion Rd and Lake Rd form the outside loop with 2 inner Roads know as Centre and Theatre Road. The campground has 95 vehicle accessible sites, 13 of those are doubles. There are no pull through sites however the campground has an even mix of small to large sites and can accommodate large recreational vehicles. Approximately 10 of the vehicle accessible sites have tent pads with 8 sites designed for tenters only. All the sites are evenly spaced considered shaded and found amongst a predominantly mixed forest of fir, larch and pine.

There is limited parking available for extra vehicles in the larger sites. This park offers services during the peak season of May to October. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available. Visitors can select any non-reserved site and staff will come to collect fees. Fees, hours of operations, and number of campsites.

A park gate is located at the park entrance and is closed between the hours of 11:00pm and 7:00am. There are no pay phones in the park. The closest store is in Fruitvale 18 km west on highway 3B. 
 

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $25.00 per party/night
BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $12.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.
Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Picnic areas

This park has two day-use/picnic areas on 3rd Lake called Main beach and Campers Beach. Fire pits and BBQ stands are not available.

Main Beach located on the south-west side of the lake near the park entrance is approximately 200 m long with compact sand, grassy areas and a small buoyed wading area. There are 30 picnic tables 25 m back from the water’s edge. A toilet /change house, enclosed shelter with heater, 2 pit toilets, water tap and group picnic area are located nearby. Parking for 180 vehicles is available.

Campers Beach is located on the south-east end of the lake. The turn-off for the access road is located in the campground beside campsite 91. A small parking lot can accommodate 20 vehicles. The beach is approximately 100 m long with compact sand. A large unmaintained grassy area makes up the majority of the day-use area. An adventure playground, set in sand with swing set, slide and monkey bars is nearby. Other facilities on site include 6 picnic tables, 2 pit toilets and a water tap.

Pit or flush toilets
Four sets of pit toilets and three flush toilet buildings are conveniently located throughout the campground. Main Beach day-use/picnic area has a flush toilet/change house and two pit toilets. Campers Beach day-use/picnic area has two pit toilets.
Drinking water
Cold well water is available for cooking and drinking. Six water taps are randomly located in the campground with a single water tap at each day-use/picnic area. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
Playground
An adventure playground with swing set, monkey bars and slide is located adjacent to the Campers’ beach at the west end of 3rd lake. The equipment is set in sand.
Boat launch

Launching sites for canoes, kayaks and cartop boats are located across from the picnic areas on the 3rd lake and near the westerly end of the 2nd lake. 3rd lake boat launch is a single launch site with a concrete plank ramp. It has a 15-vehicle boat/trailer parking area and vehicles/trailers can be left over night. 2nd Lake boat launch is a rustic, gravel single launch site with parking available above the site. The site can accommodate 15 vehicles/boat trailers. Due to its remoteness it is not recommended to leave vehicles/trailers overnight.

Powered boats are not permitted on all three lakes due to the concern over the spread of milfoil. This includes boats with electric motors.

The shoreline along both boat launches is in its natural state and is therefore not developed for canoes, kayaks or boats to be beached overnight.

Sani-station
During the collecting season a sani-station/dump is available near the campground entrance and a fee is charged for the service.
Sani-station Use Fee: $5.00 per discharge
Campfires
While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act ). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
Hiking

A total of 6.5 km of gentle trails connects the lakes and encompass the second and third lakes. Facility development is concentrated around 3rd Lake. 2nd and 1st lakes remain in their natural states. There is also a trail that leads to a lookout. For your own safety and preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroy plant life and soil structure.

3rd Lake Loop trail follows the shoreline, is 1.5 km long, takes approximately 40 min to hike and is popular for travelling from Main beach to Campers beach.

2nd Lake Loop trail is the most popular trail and can be accessed from three locations. The parking lot of Campers beach day-use/picnic area, beside campsite #82 and from 2nd lake boat launch. The trail is approximately 2.5 km with a 45 min hiking time. This trail has several boardwalks, passes through old growth forest and offers scenic views of march grasslands. 2nd lake itself has shallow places covered in pond lilies with reed flats found in the marshy areas. For your relaxation a viewing area with bench can be found at the north end of the lake.

1st Lake Loop trail starts from the 2nd lake boat launch parking lot. It starts on 2nd lake trail then branches off and follows the creek between 2nd and 1st lake. It continues along the east shore of 1st lake and returns through the forest to your original starting point from the boat launch. Allow yourself 1 hour for the 2.5 km hike. This trail is the most serene of the three loops and in the fall offers spectacular fall colour when the larch turn yellow and begin to lose their needles.

Lookout Trail is approximately 750 metres with a moderate to steep grade. Depending how long you spend at the top it is a 40 – 60 minute round trip and offers picturesque views of the lakes below.

Swimming

There are two beaches on 3rd Lake: Campers’ beach on the west end and the Main day-use beach on the east end. Main beach has the only buoyed wading area and swim float/wharf. Warm water and a combined 300 metres of compacted sand beaches provide excellent sunbathing and swimming opportunities.

Caution: There is a sharp drop-off at the Main beach. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Canoeing
Canoes, kayaks and rowboats are welcome. Both 3rd and 2nd Lakes have easy access via the boat launches. An approximate 250 metre portage from the 2nd lake boat launch is required to reach 1st Lake.
Fishing

Rainbow trout have been stocked in the lakes. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Check the BC Fishing Regulations Synopsis for quotas and restrictions. Ice-fishing is allowed during the winter season.

Powered boats are not permitted on all three lakes due to the concern over the spread of milfoil. This includes boats with electric motors.

Interpretive programs

Western Painted Turtles of Champion Lakes. Be sure to take time to check out the new interpretive panels along the 3rd Champion Lake Road on the importance of conserving the Western Painted Turtles population at Champion Lakes. The panels were the result of a working partnership between Columbia Basin Trust, Wildsight, RAP Park Contracting, Pink Dog Designs and most importantly, the Salmo Elementary School. The goal of the program is to encourage better stewardship practices to follow while enjoying the local park.

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has a fun, hands on, Learn to Fish Program that teaches basic angling skills to youth under 16 years old. Check back to this page or ask the Park Operator for information.

Wildlife viewing
Viewpoints located at both Second & Third lakes as well as a lookout at the top of the Lookout trail that overlooks the park, all three locations have a park bench. Loons and Mallards are common through the summer rearing young in addition to a large variety of forest bird species.
Pets on leash
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. There is no off leash area in this park. 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. During the winter months domestic animals are not allowed on the mechanically-set ski tracks.
Cycling

Bicycles may use trails and roadways. Mountain bikers should always yield the right-of-way to other trail users. Should you encounter hikers on any trail, please yield the right-of-way. Helmets must be worn. Just outside of the park are good cross-country skiing trails that would be suitable for mountain biking.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Champion Lakes Provincial 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.

Windsurfing
Windsuring is possible but the wind is not dependable.
Winter recreation

The Beaver Valley XC Ski Club maintains approximately 5km of set trails within the park throughout the winter months. These trails connect with a further 10 km of trails outside of the park.

Ice-fishing is allowed during the winter season.