Champion Lakes Park

A total of 6.5 km of gentle trails connect the lakes and encompass 3rd and 2nd Lake. Facility development is concentrated around 3rd Lake. 2nd and 1st Lake remain in their natural states. There is also a trail that leads to a lookout. 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.

3rd Lake Loop trail follows the shoreline, is 1.5 km long, takes approximately 40 min to hike and is popular for travelling from Main beach to Campers beach.

2nd Lake Loop trail is the most popular trail and can be accessed from three locations. The parking lot of Campers beach day-use area, beside campsite #82 and from 2nd Lake boat launch. The trail is approximately 2.5 km with a 45 min hiking time. This trail has several boardwalks, passes through old growth forest and offers scenic views of marsh grasslands. 2nd Lake itself has shallow places covered in pond lilies with reed flats found in the marshy areas. A viewing area with bench can be found at the north end of the lake.

1st Lake Loop trail starts from the 2nd Lake boat launch parking lot. It starts on 2nd Lake trail then branches off and follows the creek between 2nd and 1st Lake. It continues along the east shore of 1st Lake and returns through the forest to your original starting point from the boat launch. Allow yourself one hour for the 2.5 km hike. This trail is the most serene of the three loops and in the fall offers spectacular fall colour when the larch turn yellow and begin to lose their needles.

Lookout Trail is approximately 750 m with a moderate to steep grade. Depending how long you spend at the top, it is a 40 to 60 minute round trip and offers picturesque views of the lakes below.

There are two beaches on 3rd Lake. Campers beach on the west end and Main beach day-use on the east end. Main beach has the only buoyed wading area and swim float wharf. Warm water and a combined 300 m of compacted sand beaches provide excellent sunbathing and swimming opportunities.

Caution: There is a sharp drop-off at the Main beach. 

Canoes, kayaks and rowboats are welcome. Both 3rd and 2nd Lake have easy access via the boat launches. An approximate 250 metre portage from the 2nd Lake boat launch is required to reach 1st Lake.

Rainbow trout are stocked in the lakes. Check the BC Fishing Regulations Synopsis for quotas and restrictions. Ice-fishing is allowed during the winter season.

Western painted turtles of Champion Lakes. Be sure to take time to check out the interpretive panels along the 3rd Champion Lake Road on the importance of conserving the Western painted turtle population. The panels were the result of a working partnership between Columbia Basin Trust, Wildsight, RAP Park Contracting, Pink Dog Designs and most importantly, Salmo Elementary School. The goal of the program is to encourage better stewardship practices to follow while enjoying the local park.

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has a fun, hands on, Learn to Fish Program that teaches basic angling skills to youth under 16 years old. Check back to this page or ask the park operator for information.

Viewpoints located at both 2nd and 3rd Lake as well as a lookout at the top of the Lookout trail, overlook the park. All three locations have a park bench. Loons and mallards are common through the summer rearing young in addition to a large variety of forest bird species.

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. There is no off leash area in this park. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife. During the winter months, domestic animals are not allowed on the mechanically-set ski tracks.

Bicycles may use trails and roadways. Mountain bikers should always yield the right-of-way to other trail users. Should you encounter hikers on any trail, please yield the right-of-way. Helmets must be worn. Just outside of the park are good cross-country skiing trails that would be suitable for mountain biking.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Champion Lakes 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.

The Beaver Valley XC Ski Club maintains approximately 5 km of set trails within the park throughout the winter months. These trails connect with a further 10 km of trails outside of the park. Trail fees apply.

Ice-fishing is allowed during the winter season.

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Poweredboats are not permitted on all three lakes due to the concern over the spread of milfoil. This includes boats with electric motors.

Launching sites for canoes, kayaks and cartop boats are located across from the picnic areas on the 3rd Lake and near the westerly end of the 2nd Lake. The shoreline along both boat launches is in its natural state and is therefore not developed for canoes, kayaks or boats to be beached overnight.

3rd Lake boat launch is a single launch site with a concrete plank ramp. It has a 15-vehicle boat and trailer parking area. Vehicles and trailers can be left overnight. 

2nd Lake boat launch is a rustic, gravel single launch site with parking available above the site. The site can accommodate 15 vehicles and boat trailers. Since it is remote, leaving vehicles and trailers overnight is not recommended.

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. 

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. Six water taps are randomly located in the campground with a single water tap at each day-use area. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

This park has two day-use and picnic areas on 3rd Lake called Main beach and Campers Beach. Fire pits and BBQ stands are not available.

Main Beach is located on the south-west side of the lake near the park entrance. It is approximately 200 m long with compact sand, grassy areas and a small buoyed wading area. There are 30 picnic tables 25 m back from the water’s edge. A toilet and change house, enclosed shelter with heater, two pit toilets, water tap and group picnic area are located nearby. Parking for 180 vehicles is available.

Campers Beach is located on the south-east end of the lake. The turn-off for the access road is located in the campground beside campsite 91. A small parking lot can accommodate 20 vehicles. The beach is approximately 100 m long with compact sand. A large unmaintained grassy area makes up the majority of the day-use area. An adventure playground, set in sand with swing set, slide and monkey bars is nearby. Other facilities on site include six picnic tables, two pit toilets and a water tap.

Four sets of pit toilets and three flush toilet buildings are conveniently located throughout the campground. Main Beach day-use area has a flush toilet and two pit toilets. Campers Beach day-use area has two pit toilets.

An adventure playground with swing set, monkey bars and slide is located adjacent to the Campers beach at the west end of 3rd lake. The equipment is set in sand.

During the collecting season a sani-station and dump is available near the campground entrance and a fee is charged for the service. 

Sani-station use fee: $5 per discharge.