Schoen Lake is one of the most beautiful parks on Vancouver Island. It provides superb scenery and countless opportunities for wilderness hiking, backpacking, boating, fishing, swimming and camping,
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, which is 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.
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.
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.
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 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 a small day-use and picnic area in the park next to the boat launch.
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.
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 or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
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.
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.
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.
Namgis First Nation
www.namgis.bc.ca
250 974-5556
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 hectars).
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.
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.