Green Lake Provincial Park

About This Park

Green Lake Provincial Park is made up of 11 sites: Arrowhead, Black Bear, Blue Spring, Boyd Bay, Buckside Hill, Emerald Bay, Green Lake Islands, Little Arrowhead, Nolan Creek and Sunset View. Six of these sites have developed facilities.

The open rangeland and mixed forests of aspen and lodgepole pine found here are typical of the Cariboo’s landscape.

Green Lake is one of the larger bodies of water in the southern portion of the Cariboo. The lake is about 14 km long averaging 1.5 km in width with an irregular shoreline of approximately 57 km. The lake has a low flushing rate and together with the chemical composition of the warm shallow waters, creates the greenish hue giving the lake its name.

Established Date: July 10, 1975
Park Size: 346.9 hectares

Know Before You Go

ORVs are prohibited in this park. ORVs include ATVs, off-road motorcycles, snowmobiles and side-by-sides.

Reservations

All campsite, group campsite and group picnic shelter reservations must be made the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first-come, first-served.

Campsite Reservations

Campsite reservations are accepted at all campgrounds, which are located in the middle and at opposite sides of Green Lake.

Group Campsite Reservations

Group campsite reservations are accepted at Sunset View campground through the BC Parks reservations system.

Group Picnic Shelter Reservations

Group picnic shelter reservations are accepted for Sunset View picnic shelter through the BC Parks reservations system.

Location

There is a BC Parks information shelter, which provides information on campground and picnic area locations and a sani-station, located at the south end of the park. Access is approximately 16 km northeast of 70 Mile House off Hwy #97 along North Bonaparte Road or approximately 18 km south of Hwy #24 at Lone Butte and follow the signs along Watch Lake Road. The closest communities, towns and cities are 70 Mile House, Lone Butte and 100 Mile House.

Maps and Brochures

Nature and Culture

History: Green Lake Provincial Park was established in July of 1975 as an area of high recreational opportunity. Popular summer recreational activities include swimming, boating, fishing, waterskiing, and nature walks.
Conservation: As one of the largest water bodies in the southern part of the Cariboo Plateau, Green Lake is a valuable fish and waterfowl habitat area. The low fishing reate of this shallow lake maintains a high content of algae and other micro-organisms, which along with the chemical composition of the water itself, gives it the emerald green hue for which it is known.
Wildlife: The area is fairly abundant with moose and deer. Limited numbers of black bear, coyote, squirrels and marmots are also present. The west end of the lake attracts waterfowl as a nesting and migratory resting area. Owls and golden eagles can also be seen.

Management Planning

Management Planning Information
Approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan [PDF] for Green Lake Provincial Park
BC Parks is currently in the process of developing a management plan for this park.

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Powerboating is popular on the lake, water-skiing conditions are ideal. Canoeing or kayaking is not recommended due to the high winds that arise on the large lake.

Cycling

There are numerous cattle trails in the area outside the park which can be used for cycling. Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Fishing

An annual restocking program of rainbow trout provides fair to good fishing opportunities. Locally, fishing is best described as challenging. Try a dark flatfish lure. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Hiking

There is a self-guided 1km interpretative trail at Sunset View campground. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

Horseback Riding

No horseback riding, except for guided trail rides at Emerald Bay (the guide operator is operating under permit with BC Parks).

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.

Swimming

There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. There are good sand/pebble beaches and shallow, warm, roped off areas of water for swimming at all day-use and campground areas in the park.

Waterskiing

There are waterskiing opportunities at Green Lake.

Facilities Available at this Park

Accessibility

The outhouses at Emerald Bay and Sunset View are wheelchair-accessible.

Boat Launch

Two paved, single-boat launches are located in the park; on the southside at Sunset View campground and on the north side at Little Arrowhead picnic site. There is a parking area for vehicle/boat trailer at both places.

Campfires

Firewood can be purchased from the Park Operator in some parks or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented and some parks may use communal fire rings. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.

Drinking Water

Cold water taps and handpumps are located throughout the park. Taps are shut off during the off-season. There are no hose hookups for campers/trailers.

Group Camping

The group site is composed of four pods with three tables at each pod. The group site is situated close to the lake and in an open setting surrounded by native grass and aspen trees for shade. Very private and quiet. Minimum of 15 and a Maximum of 60 people per party. Reservation information »

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 $80.00/group site/night, plus $5/adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (6-15). Children under 6 are free!

Picnic Areas

Picnic/day-use areas are located at Blue Spring, Little Arrowhead, Emerald Bay, and Sunset View. Day-use areas at Sunset View and Emerald Bay also feature picnic shelters. Blue Spring, Little Arrowhead, and Sunset View have a locked gate between 10pm and 8am. Group picnicking is open in the summer and reservations are available for the Sunset View picnic shelter. Reservation information »

Group Picnicking Fee: $35.00 per group

Pit or Flush Toilets

This park only has pit toilets located throughout the campgrounds and day-use areas. A flush toilet building is located at the sani-station building.

Playground

Big Toy playground equipment is located at Sunset View and Emerald Bay campgrounds. Horseshoe pits are available in all three campgrounds. Please bring your own horseshoes.

Sani-Station/Dump

A sani-station/dump is available during the collecting season. The sani-station/dump facilities are located at the junction of North Green Lake Road and North Bonaparte Road, 12 km west of Sunset View campground and 18 km southwest of Emerald Bay.

Sani-station Use Fee: $5.00 per discharge

Vehicle Accessible Camping

This park offers 3 vehicle accessible campgrounds. Campsite reservations are accepted at all sites, Emerald Bay and Sunset View campgrounds, which are located at opposite sides of Green Lake and at Arrowhead campground in the middle. Emerald Bay and Sunset View are campgrounds nestled amongst the trees where as Arrowhead consists of waterfront camping in a fairly open area.

Emerald Bay campground has 51 sites, a few of which are double sites. Many of the sites are long and spacious. Sunset View has 54 sites, a few of which are also double sites. Arrowhead has 16 high density sites that are smaller than at the other campgrounds. However, large rigs may still fit in some of these sites. There is room for extra vehicles at the larger sites.

If there is no staff at the campground upon arrival, choose a site and pay later. Staff will be at the campground at least once a day during the camping season. There is a telephone located at the Sunset View campground and the closest store is at Little Horse Lake Lodge near Emerald Bay or at 70 Mile House.

If you are unsure of the specific campground locations, refer to the site map for further information.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $18.00 per party/night

BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $9.00 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

There are four walk-in tent sites at Sunset View Campground.

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping: $18.00 per party / night