Park overview
The Steeples, a distinctive feature of the Hughes Range of the Rocky Mountains, stands clear against the sky to the east of this lightly wooded area.
Just south of Fort Steele, the park encompasses Peckham’s Lake and fronts on Norbury Lake. Beach areas, water sports and pleasant walking trails. Rainbow trout in Peckham’s Lake.
Power boats are prohibited. The Kootenay Fish Hatchery at Wardner is a short distance away.
Established Date: July 15, 1958
Park Size: 97 hectares
Advisories
Dates of operation
Open to public access year-round
Current status:
Open to public access
- Facility type
- Vehicle-accessible camping
- Number of campsites
- Reservable frontcountry sites: 23
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 46
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: May 5 to October 1
- Reservable dates
- 2023: May 5 to September 30
- Winter note
- The campground gate is closed during the winter. In the off-season, no services are provided at the campground.
Safety info
Special Notes
- Power boats are prohibited.
- Pets are permitted on the north end of Pecham’s Lake, as indicated by the signs. Dogs must remain on leash at all times as to not disturb wildlife or other park users. Park visitors are responsible for their behavior and must dispose of their excrement.
Camping
All campsite and group site reservations must be made through the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first-come, first-served.
Campsite Reservations
Campsite reservations are accepted at this park and first-come, first-served sites are available until March 20, at which time all sites become reservable. Check-in for reservation holders is between 1:00 pm and 10:00 pm; non-reservation holders between 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. Check-out time for all sites is 11:00 am. Gates open 7:00 am and close at 11:00 pm.
Group Campsite Reservations
Group campsite reservations are accepted at this park.
This park offers vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis; campsite reservations are not accepted.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $20.00 per party / night
BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $10.00 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.
Long-stay camping
Sites 12 to 21 are designated as “long-stay” sites.
A minimum of 4 consecutive weeks must be booked. The long-stay program is available during the shoulder season (park opening until June 14, and Labour Day until park closing) in this park. Long-stay sites are First Come First Serve only. Long-stay camping at Norbury Lake is only available during the shoulder season. Sites must be occupied by a paying camping party and can not be held by placing camping equipment on site. Equipment left unattended will be removed.
Long-term stays may not extend beyond their registered dates. Trailers parked on site prior to long-term registration are subject to the 14 day per year park stay. Trailers left on site unattended may be towed at the owners expense.
Information on other parks participating in this pilot program, or a link to the Long-Stay Policy document, is available on the Frontcountry Camping Policies and Fees webpage.
Long-stay camping available:
$56 /week May to June 14th and after the Labour Day long weekend in September (shoulder season)
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
Activities
Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings.
Exceptions: Pets are permitted on the north end of Pecham’s Lake as indicated by the signs. Dogs must remain on leash at all times as to not disturb wildlife or other park users. You are responsible for their behavior and must dispose of their excrement.
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 Norbury 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
18 km. north from Hwy 3 and 16 km south from Hwy 93/95 near Cranbrook.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: July 15, 1958
- Size: 97 hectares
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
EK Parks Ltd.
camping@ekparks.ca
250 422-3003
Nature and culture
- History: The two lakes within the park – Norbury and Peckham’s – were originally both named Norbury. The name commemorates the Honourable F. Paget Norbury who settled in the area in the late 1800’s. He ranched here and was a magistrate at nearby Fort Steele during the town’s heyday. Later, the Peckham family bought some land from Norbury and the lake closest to their property was subsequently called Peckham’s Lake.
- Conservation: This climate promotes the growth of Lodgepole Pine, Douglas-fir and Western Larch. Trembling Aspen is located near Peckham’s Lake. Chokebery, Thimbleberry, Willow and several species of grass form the ground cover. Alongside Norbury Creek and along the trail from the campground to the picnic area on Peckham’s Lake, one can see a diversity of plant and bird life.
- Wildlife: Elk, deer, and Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep may be seen in the area, especially during winter months. The Columbian ground squirrel and other members of the squirrel family can be seen within the park.
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.