North Island. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Safety information
- Caution: Near the campground is a log jam covering the outflow of Schoen lake flowing into the Davie River. Swimmers should stay clear of this log jam as it is unstable and currents can be unsafe. There are no lifeguards.
- For public safety purposes, Schoen Lake campground is closed and the gate is locked from November 1 to April 1, due to the threat of slides during the rainy season. Typically the access road to the campsite is impassable due to snow from late December to late March.
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
Schoen Lake Park is located 140km north of Campbell River on Vancouver Island. Access to the camping area is via the gravel Davie Road, approximately 12km off of Hwy 19, past Sayward. The Nisnak Meadows area at the east end of the park can be reached via the upper Adam Road. Both roads can be rough and logging vehicles are common. The closest communities are Woss, Port McNeill and Sayward.
Camping
Frontcountry camping
This park offers nine vehicle-accessible campsites on a first come, first served basis. Campsite reservations are not accepted. All sites are located close to the lake and no facilities are provided other than pit toilets.
From June 15 to September 15, the on-site park operator collects campsite fees. During other times, campsite fees are collected by a self-registration system at the park. The campground is closed and the gate is locked from November 1 to March 1. Typically the access road to the campsite is impassable due to snow from late December to late March.
| Vehicle-accessible camping fee | $11 per party per night |
| BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only) | $5.50 per senior party per night |
For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page.
Frontcountry campgrounds
Wilderness camping
Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. The most popular spots are Schoen Creek, Nisnak Creek, and upstream from Nisnak Creek toward Nisnak Meadows. Access to Nisnak Meadows is via an unmarked and unmaintained hiking route. Please practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics.
When visiting the backcountry, always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. To learn more about staying safe in the backcountry, read our backcountry guide.
Things to do
There are no maintained trails in this park, however there are some rugged, unmarked routes that offer hiking opportunities. Routes include the Schoen Creek Trail from the Davie Road campground and the Nisnak Lake Trail. Alternatively, you can set your sights on 1,802 metre Mt. Schoen. A climb that will reward you with panoramic vistas of the lake and surrounding area.
There is no designated swimming area at this park, however visitors do swim in Schoen Lake.
Caution: Near the campground is a log jam covering the outflow of Schoen lake flowing into the Davie River. Swimmers should stay clear of this log jam as it is unstable and currents can be unsafe.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
There are canoeing and kayaking opportunities at this park in 5km long Schoen Lake. Paddlers can set in at a rough boat launching area, located at the Schoen Lake campsite.
Campers and day-use visitors can enjoy angling for lake trout in Schoen Lake.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash and under control at all times. 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.
Bicycles are only permitted on park roads. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Schoen 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.
Portions of this park are open to hunting for specific species. Hunters must have valid licences and tags. Please refer to the current Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis publication for closures and regulations.
Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
This park offers potential for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing in the small sub-alpine area located 3km north of the campsite. This area can only be accessed via Western Forest Products logging roads from the Mt. Cain Road.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
This park has a rough boat launching area for car-toppers located at the Schoen Lake campsite. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended.
While campfires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. Campers must use fire rings provided at each campsite.
To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t 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. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.
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.
There is a small day-use and picnic area in the park next to the boat launch.
About this park
Formerly a Canadian Forest Products recreation site, Schoen Lake Park was established in 1977 to protect and preserve natural values including representative landscape of the Vancouver Island Mountains, significant stands of old-growth forest and Roosevelt elk. Additional parkland was added in 1995. This section is referred to as the Davie River addition (259 hectars).
The primary role of the Davie River addition is to protect old-growth forest values on a steeply sloping ridge, which is a significant portion of the viewscape for park visitors approaching from Highway 19. The area also protects glaciers, waterways, meadows, small lakes, and essential wildlife habitat for deer, elk and fish.
The area protects wildlife habitat for deer, elk and fish.
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.
Contact
| Park operator | This park is proudly operated by Namgis First Nation. |
|---|---|
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
