With its superb scenery and countless opportunities for wilderness hiking, backpacking, boating, fishing, swimming and camping, Schoen Lake is one of the most beautiful parks on Vancouver Island.
Located northwest of Campbell River in the Nimpkish Valley, Schoen Lake is a little more primitive than some parks, but the chance to view nature in all its glory more than makes up for the lack of modern amenities.
You’ll find peace and quiet at your campsite in this wilderness park - one of the few that offers vehicle-accessible camping on northern Vancouver Island. Within the park’s protective boundaries are old-growth forests, waterways, meadows, small lakes and essential deer, Roosevelt elk and fish habitat.
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.
Accessibility information is available for this park.
While fires 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. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.
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 at provincial parks.
Campers and day-use visitors can enjoy angling for lake trout in Schoen Lake. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
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 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.
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.
Schoen Lake Provincial Park is located 140 km north of Campbell River on Vancouver Island. Access to the camping area is via the gravel Davie Road, approximately 12 km 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. Nearby communities include: Woss, Port McNeill, Sayward.
Namgis First Nation
www.namgis.bc.ca
250 974-5556
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.