Ross Lake Park | BC Parks

Highlights in this park

Ross Lake Park is popular with anglers, boaters and swimmers. A picnic area, beach, hiking trail and boat launch (electric motors only) offer opportunities for an enjoyable family picnic or evening stroll.

Know before you go

Advisories

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

This park is located off Hwy 16, near Hazelton, B.C.

Things to do

Hiking

Ross Lake Park visitors can enjoy the gentle 3.5 km Rainmaker Trail that encircles the lake. It offers beautiful views of the lake, the surrounding mountains and wildlife.

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

There are swimming opportunities in this park.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

Ross Lake Park offers a wonderful setting for easy access canoeing and kayaking. Only electric motors are permitted on the lake.

Fishing

Ross Lake Park is a popular year-round fishing spot. B.C. Ministry of Environment stocks Ross Lake with rainbow and eastern brook trout. Visitors can ice fish during the winter months. The lake has a boat launch but has an “electric motors only” policy. See is interpretive programs section regarding the Learn to Fish Program.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Interpretive programs

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 information.

Wildlife viewing

Ross Lake Park includes moose and black bear habitat. It also provides excellent opportunities for waterfowl viewing on the marshy lakeshore.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.

Cycling

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 Ross 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.

Winter recreation

Cross-country skiing is available on existing hiking trails. No tracks are available. Snowshoeing is available on existing hiking trails. Visitors can enjoy ice skating on Ross Lake. Check the thickness of the ice before venturing out.

Facilities

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Boat launch

There is a boat launch located in the park. Please note that only electric motors are permitted.

Campfires

Campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at the picnic sites. We encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Visitors must provide their own firewood.

Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.

Picnic areas

Ross Lake Park is popular with residents for day-use picnicking on the lakeshore. The park offers a pleasant day-use area with picnic tables, fire rings and pit toilets. The day-use area is open with services from May 15 to September 3.

Note: the area is open all year, but the snow is not plowed during the winter.

Pit or flush toilets

This park has only pit toilets, no flush toilets.

About this park

Wildlife

Please be aware that, in spring at Ross Lake, toads migrate for breeding activity. These mass migrations leave toads vulnerable to road mortality and create barriers to movement. As such, BC Parks requests that those using the day-use area be aware of potential toad movements and not drive over toads while traversing roadways. Please view the link below for information:

Reptiles and Amphibians

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.

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