Blanket Creek Provincial Park

Car top boats, canoes or kayaks are used on the reservoir and may be launched off the beach after a short 200 metre, 10 minute “portage” from the day-use parking lot.

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in B.C.

The far north end of the reservoir is shallow, stumpy and not recognised for fishing. Anglers access the reservoir via the boat launch at Shelter Bay Provincial Park south on Highway 23 near the ferry terminal. From here there is good lake and stream fishing for Bull and rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Check the BC Fishing Regulations Synopsis for quotas and restrictions.

The park is noted for its trail that leads to the foot of the beautiful 12 metre high Sutherland Falls with its one straight drop into a pool. Less than a km long this trail is an easy 2-minute walk and is accessed from a small parking lot off the left turn exit before the sani-station.

The other popular hike starts from the south end of the campground is 2 km in length and considered and easy to moderate hike. The start of the trail will lead you through an old cedar forest with huge stumps displaying spring-board notches from early logging activity. It then takes you through dense forest and opens up to a very pretty, fjord looking inlet with deep clean water. The final section of the trail heads to the old homestead. This site still contains a deep rock-lined pond and elaborate rock work fences. Total hiking time is 30 to 45 minutes.

A 10-minute trail winds through the forest to connect the campground with the picnic area and swimming lagoon. The Columbia River trail parallels the river from the south end of the campground and connects to the day-use and group camping areas. There are 3 short trails leading to the Columbia River. This is a favourite spot for visitors for relaxing and strolling. There is no better vantage point to view the peaks of the Columbia Mountains. The river waterfront is especially enjoyable when the Arrow Lake Reservoir is at low levels, exposing a quality beach.

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.

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times in the campground and day-use areas, and are not allowed on most beach areas or in park buildings. There is an off leash area in this park where dogs are allowed to play in the water, but they must be under control at all times. You are responsible for their behavior and must dispose of their excrement.

Although the northern portion of the reservoir is less useable given the steep slope of the banks, cold silt water and frequent low water levels, a man-made lagoon for swimming and beach use has helped to artificially provide these recreational opportunities. The circular, calm, fresh flowing water lagoon has a diameter of 60 metres and a depth of approximately 2.5 metres in the middle. With its ring of sandy beach and warm water, the lagoon is popular with visitors of all ages.

• There is no roped-off swimming area.
• There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

There is no viewing platform but there is easy access to the scenic Sutherland Falls.

Blanket Creek Campground is wheelchair-accessible.

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.

Cold well water is available for cooking and drinking. Seven water taps are located in the campground with four water taps in the day-use/picnic area and one in the group camping area. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

This park offers both an RV-accessible group site, and a walk-in style group site for tent camping. Both sites are located adjacent to the day-use area and offer nearby access to the Columbia River. There are pit toilets, garbage cans and a water tap that are shared between the 2 sites, plus tables and fire rings in each site. For more information and to make a reservation go to the BC Parks reservations system.

The park has one day-use/picnic area located past the campground, near the reservoir on the north side of the park. A large, 120 vehicle parking lot is available. This park is unique as it contains a man made lagoon for swimming. 457 metres of sandy beach and 1 hectare of grass surround the circular lagoon. Thirty-two picnic tables are situated mainly around the lagoon in the grassy area. Shady spots are created from the trees on the edge of the grassy ring. An adventure playground set in sand with swing set, monkey bars and slide is nearby. Other facilities on site include 5 pit toilets and a water tap. A fire pit is available in the picnic area. A signed dog beach can be found out on the reservoir and is only a 10-minute walk away.

The park campground has 8 pit toilets conveniently located in close proximity to campsites. The day-use and group camping areas have pit toilets. In addition, there are 2 sets of male/female single unit flush toilets with running water/sinks. There is a large flush washroom/shower facility located central to the campground with male, female sides as well as a family room with flush toilet, sink and shower. This facility is disability and wheelchair-accessible.  

An adventure playground with swing set, monkey bars and slide is provided near the picnic area/swimming lagoon. The equipment is set in sand.

During the collection season, a sani-station/dump is available near the campground entrance and a fee is charged for the service. This is a full-service sani-station for dumping and fresh water fill.

There are hot showers in the flush washrooms. There is no extra charge for showers, however, they are for registered guests, only.

The park has one campground situated near the Arrow Lake reservoir. The campground contains 105 vehicle-accessible sites, 7 of these are doubles. There are no pull-through sites or tent pads, but tents can be placed on the campsite gravel pad. Many of the sites are considered large and can accommodate extra vehicles. The campground offers a selection of both open/sunny sites or wooded/shaded sites in a mixed smaller forest of white pine, cedar and hemlock.

The park offers services during the peak season from May to September. 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. The park has 2 park gates, one at the park entrance and one before the entrances to the campground or day-use/picnic area. There are no pay phones in the park. The closest store is in Revelstoke, 25 km north on Highway 23.