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Advisories

Camping

Vehicle-accessible camping
The campground has vehicle accessible sites. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available. During the winter, campers are permitted to camp in the campground areas if accessible. Ministry of Transportation maintains access to the area.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $25.00 per party/night
BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $12.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.
Winter camping
During the winter, campers are permitted to camp in the campground areas if accessible. Ministry of Transportation maintains access to the area.
Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for the park, as well as for Quartz Lake.

Picnic areas
The day-use area at Premier Lake has 6 lakeside picnic tables. You can enjoy a picnic at any of the other four smaller lakes in the park but there are no picnic facilities.
Pit or flush toilets
This park only has pit toilets; no flush toilets. There 10 pit toilets in the campground, two pit toilets in the day use area and one pit toilet at Quartz Lake.
Showers
There is one solar shower enclosure for camper use; user must supply shower bag.
Drinking water
There are three cold water hand pumps located throughout the park – the day-use area, the overflow camping area and the main campground.
Playground
A large playground facility is located near the entrance to the park.
Boat launch

The boat launch located at the far end of the day-use area, is concrete slab with limited moorage at the floats. The boat launch is most suitable for small boats and trailers. Users are advised to use caution on the ramp and to avoid backing off the end of the concrete slab.

This park is becoming increasingly popular with boaters; parking for trucks and trailers in the day-use parking lot is limited and on some busy days there may be no parking spaces available. To avoid this problem all visitors are encouraged to use car-top boats that don’t require the use of a trailer, and overnight users with trailered boats are encouraged to store boat trailers at their campsites rather than in the day-use parking lot if the site size allows it. Please note that boating restrictions are in place on the southern half of the lake. In this area towing (waterskiing) is restricted and boat speeds are limited to 15 km/h or less. Please refer to the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis.

Campfires

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 and some parks may use communal fire rings. Bring a portable stove for cooking.

Hiking
The hiking trails in the park connect Yankee, Canuck and Turtle lakes. They are short loop trails offering easy access for families to these picturesque lakes. The duration of the hike can be between 1.5 to 4 hrs. 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.
Swimming
Enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool water of Premier Lake. The wharves provide an ideal enclosed swimming area, with a small sandy beach. The water is warmest during July and August. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Canoeing
Canoeing and kayaking are welcome on Premier Lake and Quartz Lake. Canoes, kayaks, and car-top boats may be launched into Premier Lake at either the Rod and Gun day-use area or at the main boat launch located adjacent to the campground. Small watercraft may be launched into Quartz lake via an undeveloped access point at the north end of the lake at the day-use area.
Fishing

Fishing is good year-round in this park. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Ice fishing is popular at Premier Lake. Please check the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis for current angling regulations. During the winter, access through to the boat launch is maintained by Ministry of Transportation and Highways.

Wildlife viewing
Signs along Staples Creek and a viewing platform at the fish ladder, interpret the life cycle of lake trout and the valued work of the Kootenay Trout Hatchery.
Pets on leash

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in the playground, beach, day-use areas or park buildings.

Exceptions: Pets are permitted at the Rod and Gun day-use area and the Quartz Lake day-use area; dogs may be off leash at these sites but must be under control at all times so as to not disturb wildlife or other park users. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Cycling

Cycling is permitted on all park roadways as well as on the Yankee-Canuck Lakes Loop Trail.  Cyclists riding the Yankee-Canuck Lakes Loop Trail are asked to be courteous to other trail users and practice ‘low impact cycling’ by avoiding the trail in wet conditions, minimizing skidding, and by not shortcutting switchbacks. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

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

Hunting

Hunting is allowed in Preimer Lake Provincial Park from September 1 to June 30 during a lawful game hunting season. Please check the BC Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for specific details.