Summit Lake Provincial Park

About This Park

Park visitors enjoy canoeing, fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout or swimming in the lake’s clear, refreshing mountain water.

Mountain goats can often be viewed on rocky outcroppings and in late summer a natural spectacle occurs as thousands of toads emerge from the lake and migrate to the nearby forest to hibernate for the winter.

Reservations

All campsite 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 this park and first-come, first-served sites are also available.

Note: Sites 5, 6, 7, and 9 are now reservable..

Group Picnic Shelter Reservations

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

Location

This park is located in the southern interior, Summit Lake Provincial Park is situated on Hwy 6, 18 kilometres southeast of Nakusp, a 15 minute drive and 26 km northwest of New Denver, a 20 minute drive.

Maps and Brochures

Summit Lake Campground Map [PDF]

Nature and Culture

History: The park was established in 1964. The campground was constructed in 1999 to allow local and holiday destination outdoor recreation opportunities. The park helps diversify local community tourism attractions. Summit Lake Park lies in the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket, Okanagan and Shuswap first nation traditional territories.
Conservation: This 6 hectare park lies with in the Nakusp range of the Selkirk Mountains. The park features important migration and breeding habitat for western toads, particularly on the northern end of the lake. These primarily nocturnal and terrestrial amphibians frequent the park, usually in late summer when tadpoles undergo metamorphism. In addition to the western toad habitat, a variety of ecosystems associated with wetlands and riparian areas are abundant immediately adjacent to the park. A “proposed” addition would include this area, which consists of a series of three small islands and upland forests containing mature douglas fir and western red cedar. Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the parks natural heritage – please do not damage or remove them.
Wildlife: Please note the toads in this park, like all animals are protected under the Park and Wildlife Acts. Please care for them by not disturbing their habitat and by observing them from a distance. Also, the islands near the campground present excellent nesting opportunities for shorebirds and provide perching refuge for eagles, hawks and kingfishers. If you choose to explore these areas, please be very careful where you step and leave your dog back at camp. The forests and rocky talus slopes north of the park offer suitable habit for grizzly bear, mountain goat and cougar. Mountain goats are often observed.
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. Please keep a clean camp and be Bear Aware.

Management Planning

Management Planning Information
Approved Summit Lake Provincial Park Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan [PDF]

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park. Paddlers can access the lake from either the boat launch or the lake front campsites. Many users leave their canoe/kayak on the beach.

Cycling

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

Fishing

Park visitors can enjoy summer or winter fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Check the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis for quotas and restrictions.

Hiking

This park has a short gravelled walking trail from the campground to the day-use/picnic area. 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

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. There is no off leash area in this park. 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

The beach is 100 metres long and has a shale/pebble type surface. Warm water attracts swimmers and makes this a very popular swimming area. There is no roped off swimming area. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Facilities Available at this Park

Accessibility

There is some wheelchair access in the park.

Boat Launch

For the use of registered campers, there is a single wide, all gravel boat launch located in the campground at campsite #29. This boat launch accommodates car top boats. Boat trailers must be parked at the users campsite or at the day-use parking lot. Visitors do leave their boats on the shore in front of their campsites. A public boat launch is located 1 km south of the park.

Campfires

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 well water is available for cooking and drinking. Three water taps are randomly located in the campground with one water tap in the day-use/picnic area. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

Picnic Areas

Upon entering the park turn right to access the day-use/picnic parking lot. Just a short walk will lead you to the lake and the day-use/picnic area. Here you will find a 100 metres long, shale/pebble type beach. At the edge of the forest, approximately 10 metres from the shoreline, on a small grassy area are 6 tables. A pit toilet and water tap is nearby. There are no fire pits or barbeque stands.

In the campground by campsite #1 is a grassy field with an open picnic shelter that does not have any cooking facilities or services however a water tap with potable water is nearby. The shelter is equipped with four picnic tables. Group picnicking is open during the main camping season and reservations are available for the picnic shelter. Reservation information »

Group Picnicking Fee: $50.00 per group

Pit or Flush Toilets

One pit and three flush toilets are located throughout the campground. The day-use/picnic area has one pit toilet.

Vehicle Accessible Camping

The small park and campground is located on a point of land at the south-west end of Summit Lake. The campground is circular and contains 35 vehicle-accessible sites, with a paved, one way traffic road. Seven of the sites are double sites. There are no pull-through sites, tent pads or tent sites. The sites are shady and small, in an intimate setting along the lake front or with in the cedar hemlock forest. Extra vehicles must pay the extra vehicle fee and can be parked in the day-use parking lot located near the park entrance. A pay phone is nearby at the pump house found in the centre of the campground. Services are offered in the high use season between May and September.

Reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served campsites are also available. Visitors without reservations can select any site with out a reserved sign and staff will come to collect fees.

A park gate is located just past the day-use parking lot. The closest store is in Nakusp, 18 km west on highway 6.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $26.00 per party/night

BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $13.00 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

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