Emar Lakes Park | BC Parks

Welcome to the new BC Parks website

Park overview

A chain of large and small lakes, potholes and wetlands in a forested setting in the upper Emar Creek watershed, offering small, user-maintained, wilderness campsites, and a circular canoe route with short portages.

Established Date: April 30, 1996
Park Size: 1,618 hectares

Advisories

Safety info

Park Safety

The park is a wilderness area that is not regularly serviced or patrolled.
Visitors must be self-sufficient and prepared for user-maintained camping.
Bring your own water, as potable water is not available in the park.

Special Notes

Parking and camping is at Janice Lake and Willowgrouse Lake.

Camping

Vehicle-accessible camping

User-maintained parking and camping is available at Janice Lake and Willowgrouse Lake. There is a pit toilet and rustic picnic tables at each location. Note that the resort at the northwest end of the lake is privately owned. There are only a few, first-come, first-served sites at each location. Camping opportunities in this park are not suitable for large units.

Facilities

Boat launch

Car top only launching area at Janice (Long Island) Lake.

Campfires

Fire rings are located at Janice Lake site only; no firewood is provided. Bring in your own firewood as cutting and/or foraging for wood is not permitted. Please keep fires small and ensure they are completely out before you leave. Use a camp stove for cooking.

Activities

Hiking

There are primitive trails between the lakes as part of the canoe route.

Swimming

There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Canoeing

A circular canoe route with short, user maintained portages, is cleared at the beginning of each summer. Portage through Janice Lake, Dytiscid Lake, Emar Lake, Willowgrouse Lake, Boulder Lake, Club Lake and Next Lake. Parking and camping is available at Janice Lake and Willowgrouse Lake.

Fishing

Fishing opportunities for rainbow trout exist in all lakes in the chain. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Wildlife viewing

There is no viewing platform but there are excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Pets on leash

Pets/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.

Hunting

The park is open to hunting. All hunters to the area should refer to the current BC Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis.

Winter recreation

There are cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities in this park but there are no maintained winter trails.

Maps and location

View a more detailed map.

Drive North on Hwy 5 to Little Fort. Turn left onto Hwy 24 and head west approximately 22 km. Entrance to the park is unmarked as of yet and is approximately 500 metres west of the summit sign, on the left.

Park and activity maps

Emar Lakes Park Map [PDF 1.57MB] (August 2008)

Learn more about this park

Park details

Date established: April 30, 1996
Size: 1618 hectares

Nature and culture

History: The park was created April 30, 1996 as a result of recommendations made in the Kamloops Land and Resource Management Plan. The park will be managed according to the Management Direction Statement for Emar Lakes Park.
Cultural Heritage: The Hudson’s Bay Company Brigade Trail has been identified near Jim and Richard Lakes (the trail may be given a Heritage Trail designation). There is evidence for possible traditional native use in the area.
Conservation: The park encompasses a small chain of lakes and surrounding forested plateau in the upper Emar Creek drainage. Protection to lodgepole pine, mixed spruce/pine stands and aspen groves is ensured along with important habitat for wildlife.
Wildlife: Habitat for moose, Black Tern, Common Loon, Ruffed Grouse, and Great Horned Owl.
- General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information.

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.