Park overview
This 35 site campground situated among a lakeside Douglas fir and larch forest, is a peaceful and welcome retreat for the traveling public and visitors to the nearby city of Cranbrook. The campground was rebuilt in 2001 to accommodate recreational vehicles.
Sunbathing, swimming, non-motorized boating and picnicking are popular activities at Jimsmith Park that are located in a day-use waterfront area. The day-use gates are open from 8:00am to 10:00pm.
This is the perfect setting for nature study and wildlife viewing. In winter, the park is transformed into a snowy playground for tobogganing and ice skating.
Advisories
Dates of operation
Open to public access May 12, 2023 to September 17, 2023
Current status:
Open to public access
- Facility type
- Vehicle-accessible camping
- Number of campsites
- Reservable frontcountry sites: 17
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 35
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: May 12 to September 17
- Reservable dates
- 2023: May 12 to September 16
- Winter note
- Gate is closed during the off-season.
If full services are provided, full fees will be in effect.
If no services provided, user maintained with no fee. The day-use area remains open and is vehicle-accessible for public use. For details, contact the park operator using the contact information listed below.
Safety info
Special Notes
- Power boats are prohibited. Car top boats or canoes only.
Camping
Frontcountry Camping Reservations
Campsite reservations are accepted at this park. All drive-in and walk-in campsites are reservable during peak season; there are no first-come, first-served sites.
Group Camping Reservations
Group campsite reservations are accepted at this park (minimum 15 adults) year-round. Picnic/day-use area is available on a first-come, first-served basis only and is not reservable at this park.
All campsite and group site reservations must be made the BC Parks reservations system.
This park offers vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis – campsite reservations are accepted and first-come first-served sites are available. Originally quite isolated, the park is now surrounded by acreages and a growing residential community.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
Firewood can be purchased from the Park Operator in some parks or you can bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please do not gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. Bring a portable stove for cooking.
Activities
Fishing for jumbo rainbow trout and large-mouth bass is a regular sport here. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
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 Jimsmith 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.
Maps and location
Access the park from Hwy 3/95 at the south side of Cranbrook, then drive west 4 km on a paved secondary road to the park entrance. The community of Cranbrook is 5 km east of Jimsmith Lake Park.
Park and activity maps
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: March 16, 1956
- Size: 13.7 hectares
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
EK Parks Ltd.
camping@ekparks.ca
250 422-3003
Nature and culture
- Conservation: This arid montane bench land lake situated amid a Douglas fir and larch forest is a perfect setting for nature study and wildlife viewing. Cattail marshes at the edges of the lake provide habitat for many birds, fish and insects.
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.