Park overview
This newly designated park is located along the eastern edge of Williston Lake, approximately 25 km north of Mackenzie, British Columbia.
The park is comprised of mature, mixed forest and is dotted with numerous, small lakes. Visitors are able to camp, fish, canoe, hike, and view wildlife within a beautiful wilderness setting. Two primitive campground and day-use areas are located at Heather Lake and Dina Lake, respectively.
Management of these areas has only recently been transferred to BC Parks from the Forest Service and the facilities located here are more rustic than those usually encountered within the BC Parks system.
Advisories
Safety info
- Bring your own water, as potable water is not available at this park. Drinking out of any lake or stream in the park is not recommended, unless the water has been filtered or treated.
- A portion of the portage route from Dina #3 to Dina #4 is heavily vegetated with cow-parsnip and stinging nettle. Long pants and closed shoes are recommended.
Camping
This park offers vehicle accessible campsites on a first come, first served basis. Campsite reservations are not accepted.
Heather Lake Camping
A large, open, grassy area on the eastern side of Heather Lake is available for family or group camping activities. The site will accommodate tents as well as large trailers and motorhomes. The site contains two picnic tables with fire rings. There are two pit toilets located nearby. No water pump is available in the park. There is presently no fee for camping.
Dina Lake Camping
A five-unit campground with developed gravel pads is available at Dina Lake. These sites will accommodate tents, as well as trailers and moderate-sized motorhomes. Each site contains a picnic table and fire ring. Two pit toilets are located within the campground area. No water pump is available. There is presently no fee for camping.
Wilderness camping is allowed. No facilities are provided. Most popular with canoeists and kayakers.
Facilities
Heather Lake
A small gravel boat launch is available for launching small to medium car top-sized boats.
Dina Lake
A boat launch is available at Dina Lake for launching car-top boats.
A motor restriction is in place:
- 7.5 kw (10 horse power) or less on Dina Lake #1, and
- electric motors only on nearby Dina Lake #2
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 is not available to be purchased in the park. You may bring your own wood.
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.
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
Heather Lake day-use area
There is one picnic table and a fire-ring located close to the lake near the boat launch. Visitors may also use the camping area for day-use activities.
This park only has pit toilets, no flush toilets.
Activities
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.
Dina Lake Hiking
A hiking trail is located along the northern shore of Dina Lake commencing from the campground. The present condition of this trail is unknown.
Heather Lake Hiking
A hiking trail is located along the southeastern shore of Heather Lake commencing from the day-use area. The present condition of this trail is unknown.
Swimming opportunities are available.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
Heather Lake Canoeing
The Dina Lakes canoe circuit consists of a chain of five small lakes connected by portage trails. The circuit takes between four and five hours to complete. The total canoed portion is just over 6 km and the total portage length is roughly 1.5 km. The longest canoed portion is just over 2 km in length and the longest portage is approximately 700 metres. Heather Lake can also be accessed from the Dina Lakes chain.
Dina Lake Canoeing
The Dina Lakes canoe circuit can be accessed from Heather Lake (see above).
There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
Heather Lake Canoeing
The Dina Lakes canoe circuit consists of a chain of five small lakes connected by portage trails. The circuit takes between four and five hours to complete. The total canoed portion is just over 6 km and the total portage length is roughly 1.5 km. The longest canoed portion is just over 2 km in length and the longest portage is approximately 700 metres. Heather Lake can also be accessed from the Dina Lakes chain.
Dina Lake Canoeing
The Dina Lakes canoe circuit can be accessed from Heather Lake (see above).
Please consult the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis for daily catch quotas and general restrictions.
Heather Lake Fishing
Heather Lake drains into the Parsnip Reach of Williston Lake and contains the following species of fish: rainbow trout, bull trout, lake whitefish, mountain whitefish, coarse sucker, longnose sucker, northern pike minnow, peamouth chub, redside shiner, and slimy sculpin.
Heather Lake is situated in Region 7A (Omineca Zone). No special restrictions apply to this lake. Heather Lake is popular with the locals for ice fishing.
Dina Lake Fishing
Dina Lake #1 is fed from nearby Dina Lake #2 and has no outlet. Fish species present in Dina Lake #1 include rainbow trout, brook trout, mountain whitefish, longnose sucker, and redside shiner. Rainbow trout and brook trout have been introduced through a stocking program since 1980. Dina Lake #2 contains rainbow trout, brook trout, lake chub, and longnose sucker. Brook trout have been introduced since 1984.
Dina Lake is situated in Region 7A (Omineca Zone). A boating restriction applies to this lake (see above). A British Columbia angling licence is required if you plan on fishing. Dina Lake #1 is popular with the locals for ice fishing.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
There is no viewing platform but the park has a unique chain of lakes for canoeing and kayaking which is an excellent area for wildlife viewing.
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 Heather-Dina 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.
Horses and horseback riding is permitted.
Hunting is allowed in this park. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.
Visitors can backcountry ski and snowshoe on the chain of lakes and portages. There are no set tracks, but it is easy terrain. Heather Lake and Dina Lake #1 are popular with the locals for ice fishing. Snowmobiling is allowed on lakes and lake access routes for ice fishing purposes only.
The Parsnip West Forest Service Road (PWFSR) can be reached from Highway 39 by heading north from the closest community of Mackenzie for approximately 10 km. There are two main entry points into the park, both of which are accessed from the PWFSR. The gravel road is suitable for most two-wheel drive vehicles during the summer, but four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended during wet weather. A sign near the 25 km marker of the PWFSR indicates the turnoff to Heather Lake and the site is located less than 1 km from the turnoff. The Dina Lake site is also marked with a sign and is located approximately 31 km on the PWFSR.
Park and activity maps
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: April 11, 2001
- Size: 5,786 hectares
Park contact
Phone: 250-614-9918
Nature and culture
History
Heather-Dina Lakes Park encompasses an area of 5,786 hectares and includes the 284 hectare Heather Lakes Ecological Reserve No. 87 within its boundaries. This reserve was established February 10, 1978, to preserve the beautiful stands of trembling aspen that exhibit excellent growth. This reserve also contains a small narrow lake rimmed with mature spruce and sub alpine fir.
Wildlife
Park visitors are able to view many species of native wildlife within a natural setting. Frequently sited wildlife species include moose, black bear, deer, beaver, grouse, eagle, and the common loon.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.