Know before you go
Advisories
Visitor guidelines
Get park warnings
Look in this ‘visitor guidelines’ section for general safety instructions and other important warnings about this park. For the latest information, see advisories.
Leave No Trace
Always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. Minimize impacts on plant and animal life and be considerate of other visitors. Dispose of waste properly.
For detailed information on outdoor ethics, visit the Leave No Trace Canada website.
Hike carefully
Use caution when hiking at high altitudes as rain can cause flooding in these areas with little or no warning. Hike only on designated trails. Hiking off trail damages fragile ecosystems and causes erosion.
For more information, please watch our short video guide to responsible day-hiking.
No drones
Operating drones without permission is illegal in BC Parks. In the rare cases when we grant permission, you must keep your drone away from wildlife and other visitors.
No harvesting
Harvesting mushrooms or any other crops is forbidden in all BC Parks. The only exceptions are for Indigenous Peoples and harvesting permit holders.
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
Muncho Lake Park can be accessed via the Alaska Highway at kilometre 681. The highway runs through the park and provides access to the two BC Parks campgrounds: Strawberry Flats and MacDonald.
Things to do
Visit the Tourism Northern Rockies website for information on hiking trails in Muncho Lake Park.
For your own safety and to protect the environment, please obey all signs and keep to designated trails. Taking shortcuts destroys plant life and soil structure.
Swimming is allowed in Muncho Lake. Before swimming, please review our information on staying safe when swimming or visiting the beach.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
There are canoeing and kayaking opportunities at Muncho Lake Park. The Northern Rockies Lodge provides canoe and kayak rentals.
There are canoeing and kayaking opportunities at Muncho Lake Park. The Northern Rockies Lodge provides canoe and kayak rentals.
You can fish for lake trout, arctic grayling, bull trout, and whitefish at Muncho Lake Park. For more information on where to launch, see the boat launch section. For boat launch locations, see maps and location.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
There are many wildlife viewing opportunities in Muncho Lake Park. The highway corridor through the park is one of the best available locations for viewing northern wildlife.
Some of the most common species include caribou, moose, Stone sheep, and mountain goats. Grizzly and black bears, wolves, coyotes, lynx, martins, marmots, fishers, and beavers are less common but may be seen.
The park is also a great destination for bird watchers. Muncho Lake and Drogheda Lake are both congregation areas for migrating birds. These include Canada geese, ducks, grebes, mergansers, loons.
Reduce your speed when animals are on or near the highway. Pull well off the road surface if you are photographing them.
For information on staying safe around wild animals, please visit the wildlife safety page.
Dogs and other domestic animals must be leashed and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You must always be in control of your pets and dispose of their waste appropriately.
There are cycling opportunities in Muncho Lake Park. Bicycles must keep to roads and designated trails. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia. For information on using bicycles with electric assist motors, see e-biking.
Bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Muncho Lake Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized vehicles are allowed. They must meet the rules and classifications outlined on the cycling page.
Waterskiing opportunities are available on Muncho Lake. Waterskiing is allowed for visitors with extensive previous experience.
Scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities are available in Muncho Lake, for visitors with extensive previous experience.
Hunting is only allowed in the Muncho Lake Park during open hunting seasons. Firearms may be carried by people with a valid B.C. hunting license during an open hunting season. Check the B.C. hunting and trapping regulations synopsis for more information before any hunting trip.
Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Winter recreation opportunities are available in Muncho Lake Park for experienced travellers. Before heading to this park during the winter, please read the advice outlined on the winter safety page.
About this park
It is believed that the Athapaskan-speaking People regularly camped in the Muncho Lake area. Evidence of their presence in the area has been found along the shores of Muncho Lake. Chert flakes have also been found scattered along beaches in the area.
Europeans did not come to this area until the late 1800s, when trappers, traders, and explorers passed through. The building of the Alaska Highway in the early 1940s changed the area dramatically. Remnants of construction features, such as wooden culverts and corduroy roads, are still visible.
Muncho Lake Park is known for its spectacular mountains, especially the impressive geological formations of Folded Mountain. The park also includes impressive wildflower meadows.
Animals living in this park include caribou, moose, Stone sheep, mountain goats, grizzly and black bears, wolves, coyotes, lynx, and beavers. Bird species include Canada geese, ducks, grebes, mergansers, loons. For more information, see the wildlife viewing section.
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.
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Campground information | This park is operated by Kootenay Forest Services Ltd. |
General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |