Schoen Lake Park | BC Parks

Welcome to the new BC Parks website

Park overview

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.

Advisories

Dates of operation

All dates are subject to change without notice.

Open to public access May 15, 2023 to September 30, 2023

Current status:Open to public access

Be sure to check advisories above before visiting

Schoen Lake Campground

Facility type

Vehicle-accessible camping

Number of campsites

Vehicle-accessible sites: 9

Main camping season dates

2023: May 15 to September 30

Winter note

Off-season camping from October 1 to May 14 with no services provided; visitors must be self-sufficient.

Winter note: Schoen Lake Campground is closed annually from Nov. 1 to March 31, due to the potential hazard of slides from winter storms. The gate at the park boundary will be closed and locked. Campground will be closed if rainfall exceeds 100mm in a 24 hour period.

Safety info

Stay Safe

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.

Camping

Vehicle-accessible camping

This park offers 9 vehicle-accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis. All sites are located close to the lake and no facilities are provided other than pit toilets. Campsite reservations are not accepted.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $11.00 per party / night

BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $5.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

From June 15 to September 15 the on-site park facility operator collects campsite fees, and 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.

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.

Winter camping

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. There is no winter camping fee.

Facilities

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Picnic areas

There is a small day-use/picnic area in the park next to the boat launch.

Pit or flush toilets

There are two pit toilets available in the park, located in the centre of the campsite.

Boat launch

This park has a rough boat launching area for car-toppers located at the Schoen Lake campsite; a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended.

Campfires

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.

Activities

Hiking

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. Or set your sights on 1,802-metre Mt. Schoen, a climb that will reward you with panoramic vistas of the lake and surrounding area.

Swimming

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.

Canoeing

There are canoeing and kayaking opportunities at this park in 5-km long Schoen Lake. Paddlers can set in at a rough boat launching area, located at the Schoen Lake campsite.

Fishing

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.

Pets on leash

Pets/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.

Cycling

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.

Hunting

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.

Winter recreation

This park offers potential for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing in the small sub-alpine area located 3 km north of the campsite. This area can only be accessed via Western Forest Products logging roads from the Mt. Cain Road.

Maps and location

View a more detailed map.

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.

Learn more about this park

Park details

Date established: October 28, 1977
Size: 8775 hectares

Park contact

Namgis First Nation
www.namgis.bc.ca
250 974-5556

Nature and culture

History: 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 ha).
Conservation: 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.
Wildlife: 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.