Campsite reservations are accepted and first come, first served sites are also available. Group campsite reservations are accepted at this park. 

All campsite and group campsite reservations must be made the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first come, first served.

There is a group campsite consisting of a large grassy area, a hand pump and a picnic shelter surrounded by trees. the group campsite is reservable year-round. 

This park offers 90 vehicle-accessible campsites nestled amongst the trees on a first come, first served basis. Campsite reservations are also accepted.

There are three double sites and no pull through. If staff is not around when you arrive at the campground, choose your site and pay later when they drop by to collect. The gate to the park is locked between 11pm and 7am and only registered campers are allowed in the campground after 11pm. Quiet time is between 10pm and 7am. 

The nearest public telephone is in the day use or at Pinantan Country Store, which is five minutes from the park once you turn right at the park entrance.

For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page. 

Accessibility information is available for this park, as well as for Paul Lake Recreation Area.

Cold water taps are located throughout the park. There are no hose hookups for campers or trailers. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

There is a car-top boat launch. Boaters must stay outside the buoyed swimming area.

A sani-station and dump is available during the collecting season. 
 

Campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite. We encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. 

Campfires must not exceed half a metre in height. Keep fires small, save trees and conserve firewood. Do not leave your campfire unattended. This is a high-risk forest fire area.

To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.

The day-use and picnic area has a superb sandy beach, change houses, pit and flush toilets, cold water taps, an open-air shower and BBQs. The gate to the day-use area is locked between 11pm and 7am. 

The park has over 7 km of hiking trails. The trails take you from the lakeshore up a gentle grade through a mature Douglas fir forest to the summit of Gibraltar Rock, 900 metres in elevation. The last portion of the trail (about 300 metres) is somewhat steep but there are rest stops along the way. 

Be aware of steep cliffs near top of the Gibraltar Rock trail. The summit gives spectacular views of the lake and Harper Mountain, as well as a bird’s eye view of ospreys, swallows and the rare white-throated swift. You may wish to take the alternate return route by way of the campground. 

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.

• Trail Map [PDF] 

Paul Lake is stocked with blackwater and pennask strains of rainbow trout. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has a fun, hands on, Learn to Fish Program that teaches basic angling skills to youth under 16 years old. Check back to this page or ask the park operator for more information.

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in park buildings. On the beach, pets are restricted to a signed area near the east end of the parking lot. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.

Cycling is permitted on roads in the park but is not permitted on the hiking trails.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Paul 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.