Cariboo. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Safety information
- The park supports multiple lake-oriented activities. Please adopt safe boating procedures at all times, and be aware of swimmers, canoeists and kayakers.
Special notes
- ORVs are prohibited in this park. ORVs include ATVs, off-road motorcycles, snowmobiles and side by sides.
- There is no sani-station available within the park, but the local community has sani-station services available.
Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.
Visit responsibly
Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:
Maps and location
Getting there
The park is located on Horsefly Lake, approximately 65km from 150 Mile House off Highway 97. 55km of the route is paved, and 10km is well-maintained gravel. The closest community is Horsefly, located 13km southwest of the park. Other communities are Likely and Williams Lake.
For map information, please refer to topographical map numbers: 1:50,000 92P/11.
Things to do
There is a 1.2km hiking trail to a view point above the lake where there are two benches to sit on. The trail is of moderate hiking with some steep elevation changes. 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 change rooms and a beach where the swimming area is roped off. Be cautious of the steep drop off. There are snorkeling and scuba opportunities but no rental places nearby.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
There are paddling, canoeing and kayaking opportunities at this park. Canoes, paddle boats, and a powerboat can be rented from the park operator.
There is a large, deep lake and is usually fished on a troll and also included nearby are a number of smaller lakes excellent for fly fishing. Fishing for rainbow trout is a favourite pastime of many visitors.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Pets and 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.
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 Horsefly Lake 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.
About this park
There are historical features and fossil beds to explore near the park. The park operator can provide further details. The park itself was established in August of 1974 as a high recreational value area. Prior to this, a small fish hatchery operated in the area now protected as park and evidence of the old spawning channel can still be seen.
Horsefly Lake Park incorporates a large, deep lake surrounded by diverse landscape and vegetation. Wetbelt forests of cedar, hemlock, spruce, and birch surround the lake, while pine and Douglas-fir forests inhabit drier sites.
Wildlife species found in the park include moose, mule deer, coyotes, black bear, cougar and a number of small mammals, while wolves may be found in surrounding areas.
Horsefly and other smaller lakes in the area support healthy populations of rainbow trout and amphibians can be found in lake and wetland areas. While the park’s name leads many to expect an unpleasant camping experience, there are relatively few biting flies in the park.
Just outside the community of Horsefly, there are spawning channels on the Horsefly River with dyked paths for viewing. The channels provide spawning beds for sockeye salmon that travel up the Fraser River to the Quesnel River, Quesnel Lake and finally to the Horsefly River to spawn. The best time to see these brilliant red and green salmon is mid-September.
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.
Contact
| Reservations, changes, and cancellations | Our call centre is open from 7 am to 7 pm Pacific Time. There is a $5 fee for reservations, changes, or cancellations made by phone.
|
|---|---|
| Park operator | This park is operated by Silvertip Park Services Ltd. |
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
