Gwillim Lake Park

This park offers vehicle-accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis; campsite reservations are not accepted.

Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.

Accessibility information is available for this park.

This park has a day-use/picnic area.

This park only has pit toilets; no flush toilets.

A hand pump is located in the park. The hand pump may be removed during the off-season.

An adventure playground is situated in the middle of the campground.

There is a boat launch complete with turnaround and a large parking area for vehicles with trailers.

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.

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.

There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Canoes and kayaks are welcome. Beware of easterly winds that create high waves in the open water.

Anglers can try their luck fishing for lake trout, bull trout, mountain whitefish, Arctic grayling, northern pike and burbot. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Ice fishing is allowed during the winter season but visitors should be aware that the park road from Hwy #29 to the lake is snowed in usually until late April or early May. Snowmobiles have been used to travel this 1km of road. Please note: the school camp road is private and there is no access to the park from this road.

There are wildlife viewing opportunities.

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 wildlfie issues and the potential for problems with bears.

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

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

There are waterskiing opportunities.

There are windsurfing opportunities.

Horseback riding is permitted in the Elephant Ridge addition to Gwillim Lake Park. Please contact the Fort St. John Ministry of Environment office for a letter authorizing horseback use in the park.

There are scuba diving or snorkelling opportunities.

There are climbing or rock climbing opportunities.

Hunting is allowed in the Elephant Ridge addition to the park. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.

There are snowshoeing and backcountry skiing opportunities.