Sasquatch Provincial Park

About This Park

Located north of Harrison Hot Springs, Sasquatch Provincial Park is characterized by a series of pocket lakes, a unique second-growth and birch forest, and scenic mountain ridges.

Hicks and Deer Lakes are ideal for motor-boating and canoeing, while Trout Lake provides a tranquil fishing experience. Visitors can also enjoy camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, and picnicking.

Established Date: May 2, 1968
Park Size: 1,217 hectares

Know Before You Go

Stay Safe

Campers and swimmers should be aware that swimmer's itch may be present in Deer Lake and Hicks Lake. For more information on the treatment and prevention of swimmers itch, check out the BC Healthfiles page.

Special Notes

Quiet Hours are 10 pm to 7 am: Music, generators, etc. must be shut off completely between these hours.
ATVs and other off road vehicles (including those registered under the ORV Act) are not permitted within the park.
There is no overnight parking at Green Point. All vehicles will be towed.

Reservations

All campsite and group site 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.

Group Camp/Picnic Reservations

Group campsite reservations are accepted at this park through Discover Camping.

Location and Maps

Please note: Any maps listed are for information only; they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Location Map

Sasquatch Park is located off of Highway 7, six kilometres north of Harrison Hot Springs. Follow the signs through Harrison Hot Springs and Green Point.

Maps and Brochures

Any maps listed are for information only; they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Nature and Culture

History: The park was originally created by Order-in-Council in 1959 and encompassed twenty hectares on the east side of Harrison Lake, a freshwater inland fjord. At this time, the park was named Green Point Park. In 1960, a picnic site was developed at the lakefront. The site included picnic tables, toilets, changehouses, a pressurized water system, a boat launch, and parking for two hundred cars. The adjacent lands containing Hicks, Deer, and Trout Lakes were added in 1968 and the park was renamed Sasquatch Park after the legendary Bigfoot, who is alleged to have roamed the area.
Wildlife: The diversity of habitats at Sasquatch Park supports a large variety of wildlife species including beaver, mountain goat, woodpeckers, warblers, and vireos. Several rare species have been observed in the park, including the bald eagle, tailed frog, and black petaltail dragonfly. The lakes and streams in the park provide excellent fish habitat for over ten species of fish from the sturgeon, smelt, salmon, catfish, and stickleback families.

Management Planning

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Canoeing is welcome at this park. There are paddle sport services available at Hicks Lake during the summer months, view the Park Operator’s Web Page for information and rates. There is no canoe/kayak specific camping available.

Cycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Fishing

There is freshwater fishing for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and brook char. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Hiking

Sasquatch Park has two easy hiking trails and one interpretive trail. The Hicks Lake Trail is approximately 4 km return with an estimated time of 1 1/2 hours. The Deer Lake Trail, which does not go all around the lake, is approximately 2 km return. The Beaver Pond Interpretive Trail is approximately a 500 metre loop.

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.

Interpretive Programs

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.

Pets on Leash

All Pets/domestic animals must be on leash at all times inside the provincial park boundaries. Pets/domestic animals are permitted to be off-leash only when they are swimming. In the Green Point day-use area on either side of the boat launch, but only 200 metres from the boat launch on the right side (north side). Also at Hicks Lake on the left side (east side) of the boat launch and Deer Lake on the right side (south side) of the boat launch. You are responsible for your pet’s behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Pets are not allowed in the day-use picnic/beach areas or park buildings. Please be reminded that BC Parks does not recommend bringing pets into the backcountry or on trails, as they can create potential conflicts with wildlife. Please do NOT leave pets unattended.

Swimming

Swimming areas are provided at a few areas in the park. Buoys mark off swimming areas. Deer and Hicks Lake are relatively warm during the summer but Harrison Lake can be cool. Hicks lake and Deer Lake have sandy beaches, while Harrison Lake has a rocky beach. High winds can come up quickly on Harrison Lake.

Swimmer's itch may be present at Deer Lake and Hicks Lake. To prevent swimmers itch, check out the BC Healthfiles page. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Waterskiing

There are waterskiing opportunities available on Harrison Lake.

Wildlife Viewing

There are wildlife viewing opportunities available on the Beaver Pond trail. Please keep your distance when viewing animals.

Windsurfing

There are windsurfing opportunities available on Harrison Lake.

Facilities Available at this Park

Accessibility

There are wheelchair-accessible toilets available at the Green Point day-use area.

Boat Launch

There are two paved boat launches in the park – at Hicks Lake and Green Point day-use areas. There is a gravel boat launch at Deer Lake. All boat launches are single wide.

Deer Lake has a car top launch and only electric motors are permitted.
Hicks Lake allows motors with a maximum of 10 horsepower.
Trout Lake does not permit motor boats.
Harrison Lake does not have motor restrictions.
Waterskiing and windsurfing are only available on Harrison Lake.

Greenpoint boat launch is open all year. There is day-use parking only, no overnight parking is available. Boats can be left in water or beached overnight at the owners own risk. There is a marina nearby to moor boats overnight. There are Dead Slow speed restrictions near the boat launches and swimming areas.

Campfires

Campfires are permitted in the provided fire rings only. Fire restrictions may be in place during times of high forest fire ratings. No campfires are permitted in the day-use areas.

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.

Drinking Water

Cold water taps are located throughout Lakeside (Deer Lake) and Bench campgrounds. There are hand pumps at Hicks Lake and Bench campgrounds. The only day-use area with water taps is Green Point.

Group Camping

There is one group campsite available at Hicks Lake, and is separated from other campsites. This site can accommodate 15 - 40 people. There is a covered shelter available. There are no barbeque attachments on the picnic tables. Site is open from March 31 to October 9. 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

There are day-use/picnicking areas in Hicks Lake and Lakeside (Deer Lake) campgrounds. The Green Point day-use area has picnic tables and a parking area. There are grassy areas at both the Green Point day-use on Harrison Lake and the Hicks Lake day-use areas. The beaches are sandy at Hicks Lake and Deer Lake, and rocky at the Green Point area. There are barbeque attachments on the picnic tables. Bring your own barbeque and briquettes. There are no fire pits and open fires are not permitted in the day-use area. There is a beach area open to off-leash dogs near the boat launch areas. The Deer Lake campground has a playground on the beach. The day-use areas are accessible by foot if the gate is locked. The nearest stores are at Harrison Hot Springs.

Pit or Flush Toilets

There are pit toilets throughout the campgrounds and park. Flush toilets are available at the Green Point day-use area.

Playground

The adventure playground is located in Lakeside (Deer Lake) campground. There is a grassy area. No horseshoe pitches or sand boxes available.

Sani-Station/Dump

A sani-station/dump is available during the collecting season. It is located on the main park road between Trout Lake and turnoff to Hicks Lake Campground.

Sani-station Use Fee: $5.00 per discharge

Vehicle Accessible Camping

This park offers vehicle accessible campsites. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.

There are three campgrounds at this park – Hicks Lake campground, Bench campground and Lakeside (Deer Lake) campground. There are no pull-through or double sites available. Campsites have tent pads and located amongst the trees.

There is no parking available for extra vehicles; the maximum is 2 vehicles per site. There is no gate house and the gate is not locked during the camping season. If there is no staff to help you locate a site, check the reservation board (located at the entrance of each campground), then find a campsite with no ticket number on the post. Park staff will come by to collect camping fees.

Walk-in camping is not permitted if the gate is locked. The closest store is in Harrison Hot Springs approximately 6 kilometres away. There is a pay phone in the park at the Green Point day-use area.

Hicks Lake and Lakeside (Deer Lake) Campground

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $23.00 per party / night

BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $11.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

Bench Campground