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This park proudly operated by:West Kootenay Park Management Inc.
866 937-5734
info@westkootenayparks.com


Blanket Creek Provincial Park
About This Park
Looking for a family holiday destination? Plan your next weekend to Blanket Creek Provincial Park just south of Revelstoke. Popular with local residents, this park was originally a farm now developed to provide recreational opportunities. It is one of a system of four provincial parks on the Arrow Lake Reservoir. With its warm man-made swimming lagoon, adventure playground, historic homestead site and easy access to scenic Sutherland Falls, this park offers enjoyment for the entire family.
Blanket Creek Park makes a great staging area for other recreational explorations. Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks both close by, offer hiking trails for all skill levels. Travel south, take a ferry ride and discover Nakusp Hot Springs. The variety of opportunities both in and around this park beckons recreationists of all ages.
Established Date: February 18, 1982
Park Size: 318 hectares
Know Before You Go
Stay Safe
- Bears have historically been attracted to this site for its fruit trees remaining from the orchards of the early settlers. Keep a clean camp and keep pets on a leash at all times. Free-running pets can anger a bear and provoke an attack. The bears are more active in the fall.
- There is no roped-off swimming area.
- There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Reservations
All campsite reservations must be made through Discover Camping. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first-come, first-served.
Campsite Reservations
Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.
Location and Maps
Maps and Brochures
- Park and Campground Map [PDF] (April 9, 2018)
Nature and Culture
- History: The park encompasses a farming area known as the old “Domke homestead.” The remnants of this heritage farm and its wide array of trees, both native and imported, are reminders of the pioneer orchardists who first homesteaded the area in the late 1940’s. The park was established in 1982 after the reservoir was made, to provide recreational opportunities for local residents. Blanket Creek Park lies in the Okanagan and Shuswap first nation traditional territories.
- Conservation: Blanket Creek Park is 318 hectares, contains white pine and second growth western hemlock and western cedar. The park protects the scenic qualities of Sutherland Falls, a regionally significant natural feature. There are only a few waterfalls in the Kootenay region as easily accessible to the public. The creation of the Arrow Reservoir reduced Kokanee spawning and ungulate winter range over a large area. Blanket Creek Park is only one of a few small parks along the Arrow Lake Reservoir where these values are protected. Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the park’s natural heritage, please don’t damage or remove them.
- Wildlife: Bears are commonly seen in the fall when they are attracted to the fruit trees remaining from homesteaders’ orchards. Mule deer and hares are occasionally observed. The park is also popular for bird watching. Park users should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment. Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife. Please view all wildlife from a distance.
Management Planning
Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Cycling

Fishing

Hiking
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 on Leash
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.

Swimming
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.

Wildlife Viewing
Facilities Available at this Park

Accessibility
Blanket Creek Campground is wheelchair-accessible.

Campfires

Drinking Water

Group Camping
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 Discover Camping.
Youth group camping charges per night are $1/person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum. Read the Youth Group policy about Criteria for Youth Groups.
Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, which is $120.00/group site/night, plus $5/adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (6-15). Children under 6 are free!

Picnic Areas

Pit or Flush Toilets
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.

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

Sani-Station/Dump
Sani-station Use Fee: $5.00 per discharge in coin or purchased token.

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

Vehicle Accessible Camping
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.