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Advisories

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Total number of campsites
Total reservable frontcountry sites: 31
Total vehicle-accessible sites: 142
Total wilderness sites: 4
Total horse-accessible sites: 11
Backcountry camping

There are four backcountry campsites in this park: 

Delacy Camp: on the Skagit River Trail. This campsite has two tent pads, a picnic table, a pit toilet, and a bear cache for food storage. 

Harlequin Flats: on the Skagit River Trail. This campsite has two tent pads, a picnic table, a pit toilet, and a bear cache for food storage. 

Nepopekum Camp: at the juncture of the Centennial and Nepopkum trails. This campsite has two tent pads, a picnic table, a pit toilet, and a bear cache for food storage. 

Galene Camp: at the end of the Galene Lakes Trail. It has two tent pads, a pit toilet, and a bear cache.

Group camping

There is a group campsite located across from the Ross Lake campground, close to the International Point day-use area. There is one covered shelter. The site can accommodate from 15 to 50 people. Reservation information can be viewed here.

Youth group camping fee$1 per person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum. Children under 6 are free!
Regular group camping fee$80 per group site per night, plus $5 per adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1 per child (6-15). Children under 6 are free!

For information on the youth group policy see the group camping page.

Vehicle-accessible camping

This park offers vehicle-accessible campsites. Reservations are accepted at Ross Lake, and first come, first served campsites are also available.

There are three frontcountry campgrounds in this park: Silvertip Campground at 42km (43 sites), Ross Lake Campground at 60km (88 sites) and Whitworth Horse Campground at 54km that has 11 pull-through sites with corrals/hitching posts. If there are no staff to direct you to a campsite, choose an unreserved site with no camping receipt posted on the campsite number post; staff will come around to collect fees. Cash is the only form of payment accepted onsite. 

  • There are no sites in this park with electrical, water or sewer hookups.
  • There is parking available for two vehicles at each site. 
  • There is no extra parking available.
  • There is no cell phone service after the first few kilometers on the Silver Skagit Road. 
  • The closest store and pay phone are in Hope, approximately 60km away.
  • There are no winter camping opportunities offered in this park. The gates to each campground are closed and locked during the winter months (October to May). The Silver Skagit Road is not plowed during the winter and develops significant potholes during this time. 
Vehicle-accessible camping fee$18 per party per night
BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only)$9 per senior party per night

For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page. 

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for these areas of the park:

Drinking water

Cold water hand pumps are located in all the campgrounds. A cold water tap is located in the horse camp. The taps and hand pumps are shut off during the winter.

All water is tested weekly and is suitable for drinking unless posted otherwise.

Playground

There is a playground at Ross Lake campground (International Point day-use area). There is also a 1.5 hectare grassy area.

Boat launch

There is a single wide cement boat launch at International Point day-use area. Boats can be left in the water or on the beach overnight at owner’s risk. Boaters should be aware that water in the reservoir is low during spring, fall and winter and may change rapidly at any time as Ross Lake is a hydroelectric reservoir. 

The edge of the lake is normally below the international border until sometime in June. Water levels may rise by 30 to 60cm (1 to 2 feet) or more per day during spring freshet. Waterskiing is not advisable because of the amount of woody debris and numerous stumps that are just below the surface of the water when the lake is full; at lower water levels these stumps are exposed. See Important Notices for water levels. 

Personal watercraft (defined as small, normally jet powered vessels which the operator sits astraddle or stands upon) are not allowed on Ross Lake Reservoir. 

For important information regarding boating on the US portion of the Ross Lake Reservoir, including a new restriction on the types of motors permitted within the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, please click on the link below: http://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/boating-on-ross-lake.htm

Campfires

Campfires are permitted in the campground fire rings only. While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. 

To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.

Picnic areas

This park has a day-use and picnic area at International Point on Ross Lake. This area has pit toilets, parking, and 1.5 hectare of grassy beach. There are no picnic tables and no campfire rings available. Visitors will also find an information kiosk that relates the history and natural values of the park.

Pit or flush toilets

Pit toilets are available in all campgrounds, at International Point day-use area, and at some trailheads from the parking lots. There are no flush toilets.

Hiking

This park has hiking and walking trails. 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 is swimming and a grassy beach at Ross Lake. There is no roped-off swimming area. Water in the reservoir is low during spring, fall and winter. The edge of the lake is normally below the international border until sometime in June. There are no lifeguards on duty.

Visitors should be aware that swimmer’s itch may be present within Ross Lake. For more information on the treatment and prevention of swimmer’s itch, check out the HealthLinkBC page. 

Canoeing

Canoeing and kayaking are possible at Ross Lake when the reservoir is full, but not recommended on the Skagit River. Water in Ross Lake is low during spring, fall and winter and may change rapidly at any time as the lake is a hydroelectric reservoir. 

The edge of the lake is normally below the international border until sometime in June. Water levels may rise by 30 to 60cm (1 to 2 feet) or more per day during spring freshet.

Kayaking

Canoeing and kayaking are possible at Ross Lake when the reservoir is full, but not recommended on the Skagit River. Water in Ross Lake is low during spring, fall and winter and may change rapidly at any time as the lake is a hydroelectric reservoir. 

The edge of the lake is normally below the international border until sometime in June. Water levels may rise by 30 to 60cm (1 to 2 feet) or more per day during spring freshet.

Fishing

Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Interpretive programs

There are interpretive programs offered in this park. You can check the information shelters for program schedules or check the schedule posted below.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.

Cycling

Bicycles are permitted on all roadways, the Centennial Trail and Skagit River Trail in Skagit Valley Park. Unless otherwise signed, all other trails located within the park are designated for hiking use only. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Skagit Valley 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.

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is permitted on the Skagit River Trail, Centennial Trail and to the boundary of E.C. Manning Park on the Skyline II Trail. Horseback riding is not permitted on the Skyline II in E.C. Manning Park. There is an eleven-unit horse camp near Whitworth Meadows near the Skyline II Trail head. There are approximately 30 kilometres of horse trails in Skagit Valley Park.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted in the park. Please confirm with the Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for specific details. All hunters require applicable hunting licenses.