Park overview
Only a few minutes from the Alaska Highway that passes through the park is the serenity and seclusion expected in this area of the north. Some of the most outstanding views of natural beauty anywhere can be experienced at this park. Spectacular folded mountains, bountiful wildlife, brilliantly-colored wildflowers are just a few of the wonders to discover here. In the southern portion of the park, you will see the very impressive geological formations of Folded Mountain towering above the road. Tectonic deformations have folded the limestone giving these mountains their unique appearance. Further along the highway you will have the opportunity to travel across the alluvial fans. Caution should be used if investigating these wonders of nature. Rain high up in the mountains may cause flooding of these areas with little or no warning. Keep an eye open for moose which frequent the many swamps within the park.
Twelve kilometres of jade-colored water will tell you that you have reached Muncho Lake. You have the choice of camping at Strawberry Flats campground or at MacDonald campground, 11 km further north. The lake’s cold, deep waters, tinted green by minerals, are home to lake trout, arctic grayling, bull trout and whitefish. Toss out a line and try your luck.
There is an excellent chance you will see stone sheep along the highway. Be sure to check your rear-view mirror before hitting the brakes and give motorists’ ample warning of your intention to stop. The natural beauty of Muncho Lake Provincial Park is sure to be the highlight of your northern adventure.
Established Date: May 31, 1957
Park Size: 88,420 hectares
Advisories
Dates of operation
Open to public access May 1, 2023 to September 15, 2023
Current status:
Open to public access
- Facility type
- Vehicle-accessible camping
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: May 1 to September 15
- Reservable dates
- 2023: May 15 to September 14
- Winter note
- Gates are locked during the off-season/when snow falls. No services or fees.
- Facility type
- Vehicle-accessible camping
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: May 1 to September 15
- Reservable dates
- 2023: May 15 to September 14
- Winter note
- Gates are locked during the off-season/when snow falls. No services or fees.
- Winter note
- Gates are locked during the off-season/when snow falls. No services or fees.
Safety info
- Camping fees are payable at the park by cash, only.
Camping
- Total number of campsites
- Total reservable frontcountry sites: 10
- Total vehicle-accessible sites: 30
All campsite reservations must be made through the BC Parks reservations service. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first-come, first-served.
Campsite reservations
Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.
There are backcountry camping sites available.
There is a privately owned lodge on Muncho Lake.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for these areas of the park:
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. Click to view a non-government website for more hiking information and a published guide of the hiking trails: Northern Rockies Regional District
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 Muncho 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.
The park is open to hunting. All hunters to the area should check the BC Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.
Maps and location
At km 681 of the Alaska Hwy.
Park and activity maps
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: May 31, 1957
- Size: 88420 hectares
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
Kootenay Forest Services Ltd.
For information concerning the campground:
kootenayforestservices@gmail.com
250 776-7000
Nature and culture
- History: European discovery of the area did not occur until the late 1800s, when trappers, traders and explorers passed through the area. It wasn’t until the building of the Alaska Highway, that the face of Muncho Lake changed dramatically. There are still remnants of the construction features, such as wooden culverts and corduroy roads within the park.
- Cultural Heritage: It is believed that the Kaska Athapaskan First Nations camped regularly in the Muncho Lake area.
- Conservation: Spectacular folded mountains and brilliantly-colored wildflowers are just a few of the wonders to discover here. In the southern portion of the park, you will see the very impressive geological formations of Folded Mountain towering above the road.
- Wildlife: Bountiful wildlife can be seen in this park. Keep an eye open for moose which frequent the many swamps within the park, also cariboo. There is an excellent chance you will see Stone sheep along the highway. Reduce your speed when animals are on or near the highway and pull well of the traveled surface of the road if you are photographing them.
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.