Park overview
Off the beaten track and surrounded by fir and pine-clad hills, this cool, quiet retreat is a great getaway for those who love to fish.
Local people call this the “Fish Lake” for the great rainbow and eastern brook trout. When the weather is warm, hikers will enjoy this remote spot as much as anglers. Also perfect for ice fishing in the winter.
Advisories
Special notes
- Not recommended for large RV units.
- Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
Camping
This park offers a rustic camping experience for those interested mainly in fishing. There are no designated sites and the area is best suited to truck and camper units as opposed to trailers or motor homes. There are no picnic tables or taps. Campfires are only allowed in the designated fire pits in the campground. The camping area is in mature Douglas fir forest with some old growth cottonwood a short distance from the lake. The campsite is open year-round and is user-maintained.
Facilities
Campfires are only permitted in the designated campfire pits in the campground area. Firewood is not provided and removal or burning of natural debris is prohibited. Bring a portable stove for cooking.
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
The small camping area has one pit toilet.
Activities
Darke Lake is a very popular fishing spot. It is stocked by the Summerland Trout Hatchery with both rainbow trout and brook trout.
Darke Lake is very popular with local residents for ice fishing. It is small enough to freeze but large enough that it doesn’t freeze solid allowing fish to be active in the winter for ice fishing opportunities. Another bonus is the close proximity to Summerland and easy access.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
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.
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Darke 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.
Horses are allowed in this park and a permit is not required.
The park is open to hunting. Please check the BC Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.
There are no specific cross-country or snowshoeing trails in the park. However, there are a number of old logging roads through the park that provide skiing opportunities depending on snow levels. Roads through the park provide opportunities for snowmobiling, though lack of snow may be a problem. The lake is small enough that you can ice-skate when it freezes.
Darke Lake is very popular with local residents for ice fishing. It is small enough to freeze but large enough that it doesn’t freeze solid allowing fish to be active in the winter for ice fishing opportunities. Another bonus is the close proximity to Summerland and easy access.
Located northwest of Summerland off Hwy 97 onto approximately 16km of gravel road. Follow Fish Lake Road through Meadow Valley to the park. The closest community is Summerland.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: June 29, 1943
- Size: 1,470 hectares
Nature and culture
History
Established June 29, 1943. There is an historical fish camp within the park and an old trapper’s cabin near the lake.
Conservation
Peaceful hills of pine and fir forests surround this undeveloped campground. White-tailed deer are common and the forests also provide habitat for blue and red listed bird species. The Barn owl and Flammulated owl are found in the park along with the red listed Northern goshawk.
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.