Park overview
Charlie Lake Park is situated on the southwestern shore of 13km long Charlie Lake. The park lies within the rolling landscape of the Interior Plains, covering some 92 hectares.
Wander a forested trail or watch children enjoying the play area in the centre of the campground.
Advisories
Dates of operation
Open to public access May 10, 2023 to September 11, 2023
Current status:
Open to public access
- Facility type
- Vehicle-accessible camping
- Number of campsites
- Reservable frontcountry sites: 40
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 57
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: May 10 to September 11
- Reservable dates
- 2023: May 19 to September 4
- Winter note
- The gate is closed during the off-season.
- Facility type
- Picnic areas
- Main operating season dates
- 2023: May 10 to September 11
- Reservable dates
- 2023: May 19 to September 4
- Winter note
- The gate is closed during the off-season.
- Winter note
- The gate is closed during the off-season.
Special notes
Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) are prohibited in this park. ORVs include ATVs, off-road motorcycles, snowmobiles and side-by-sides.
Camping
- Total number of campsites
- Total reservable frontcountry sites: 40
- Total vehicle-accessible sites: 57
Campsite reservations are accepted and first come, first served sites are also available.
All campsite reservations must be made the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first come, first served.
This park offers vehicle-accessible campsites. Campsite reservations are accepted and first come, first served sites are also available. Long-stay camping is available at this park. Please contact the park operator for information and to book a long-stay camping site.
| Vehicle-accessible camping fee | $20 per party per night |
| BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only) | $10 per senior party per night |
| Long-stay camping | $90 per week |
For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page. Information on long-stay camping is available on the Frontcountry Camping webpage.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
Cold water is available for cooking and drinking. Taps are located throughout the campground and are shut off during the off-season.
An adventure playground is located in the day-use area.
There is a car-top boat launch in the day-use area.
Sani-station and dump is located in park near the campground entrance.
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.
The day-use picnic area includes an adventure playground, large grass field, picnic shelter, horseshoe pits, parking spaces for 40 vehicles and boat launch facilities. Reservations for the group site picnic area are available.
Only pit toilets are available, there are no flush toilets at this park.
Activities
Miscellaneous walking trails connect the campground and day-use area. 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.
There are swimming opportunities. There are no lifeguards on duty.
Canoes and kayaks are welcome. Keep in mind that there are no rental services at the park.
Canoes and kayaks are welcome. Keep in mind that there are no rental services at the park.
The lake offers productive fishing for northern pike and walleye. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
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 the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.
Biking is only permitted on designated roads and trails within the park.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Charlie 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.
Maps and location
The park is located 11km north of Fort St. John at the junction of the Alaska Highway and Highway 29.
Park and activity maps
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: May 20, 1964
- Size: 176 hectares
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
Sandstorm North Contracting
For information concerning the Vehicle Accessible Campground:
sandstormnorth@gmail.com
Nature and culture
Conservation
Aspen is the dominant forest cover mixed with stands of birch, alder, lodgepole pine and spruce, and an understudy consisting mainly of Saskatoon berry bushes, soopolalie, flat-top spirea, waxberry and squashberry. Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the park’s natural heritage, please don’t damage or remove them.
Wildlife
Wildlife is not prevalent in the park although large mammals such as moose, white-tailed deer, Mule deer and black bear are fairly common throughout the area. Squirrels, chipmunks, beaver, snowshoe hares and muskrat are more likely to be seen. Birds of the open woodlands are abundant in summer with species like the Northern Oriole, rose-breasted Grosbeak, ovenbird, American redstart and white-throated sparrow much in evidence. Waterfowl are frequent visitors to the lake and shoreline and a walk through the park will often rouse a sharp-tailed or ruffed grouse. Park users should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment. Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife. View the wildlife safety page fore more information on staying safe.
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.