Located 150 km east of Vancouver in the upper Chilliwack River Valley, S⨱ótsaqel / Chilliwack Lake Park is characterized by a valley-bottom lake, old-growth forested slopes, and spectacular subalpine and alpine ridges. The sparkling Chilliwack Lake is ideal for motorboating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, or fishing. There are opportunities for hiking, bird and wildlife viewing, and nature appreciation on the 40 km of trails in the park.
The park also has a playground and 182 frontcountry campsites. Those seeking a wilderness camping experience can access the backcountry camps located at Greendrop, Lindeman, Flora, and Radium Lakes.
All campsite reservations must be made through the BC Parks reservation service. When reservations are not available, all campsites function as first come, first served.
There are six campsites located at each of the four backcountry camping areas:
These backcountry camping areas are in different locations from the frontcountry campgrounds of the same names.
There is one pit toilet and one bear cache at Lindeman Lake. There is no garbage removal service at any backcountry campsite. Leave No Trace practices apply. Pack out what you pack in.
Marine access camping facilities are not available and shoreline camping is not permitted on Chilliwack Lake.
Camping fee: $5 per person per night (6+)
Payment must be made via the backcountry permit registration service. Cash payments for backcountry camping opportunities are not available. As there is no cell service in the park, visitors need to register before leaving a cell service area. Although the system does not reserve a campsite, the system provides visitors the convenience of prepaying for their trip.
This park offers campsite reservations for 176 sites in five vehicle-accessible campgrounds.
Please note that these frontcountry campgrounds are different locations from the backcountry camping areas of the same names.
The frontcountry campgrounds are:
There are 25 double sites total across the five campgrounds and one pull-through site. There is a two vehicle maximum per site, with the second vehicle paying an extra half camping fee (a second RV will incur an extra full fee). Maximum eight people (up to four adults) per site. No extra parking available.
When the campground is full, we ask that visitors do not drive around looking for available sites as it creates traffic congestion and noise.
There is no pay phone available at this park and no cell phone service.
The nearest store and pay phones are approximately 32 km away.
Accessibility information is available for Chilliwack Lake Park, as well as these areas of the park:
Cold-water taps are located in each of the vehicle-accessible campgrounds. There are no taps available at the backcountry sites. Taps are shut off during the off season.
There is an adventure playground at this park in the Paleface Loop camping area.
Sani-station use fee: $5 per discharge.
The sani-station is not operational in the off-season.
Fires are permitted only in designated fire rings in the frontcountry campsites. Fire restrictions may be in place during times of high forest fire rating.
Campfires are not permitted in the backcountry.
There is no formal picnic area or picnic tables for day-use. There is a sandy beach. The day-use area is closed from dusk to 7am.
There are pit toilets in the day-use area and at each of the vehicle-accessible campgrounds. There are no pit toilets available at the backcountry sites except for one at Lindeman Lake. There are no flush toilets or showers at this park.
There are three main trails at this park which all share the same trailhead at the Post Creek Parking Lot.
The Radium Lake Trailhead (16 km return) is accessible from the Chilliwack Lake Campground.
The Trans Canada Trail winds through park. See the Trans Canada Trail website for more information.
For your own safety and preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
The Park Map [PDF] shows a number of 'routes' that are not actively maintained by BC Parks. Many of these routes are in poor condition, are unmarked, and are not recommended for travel. These routes are: Hanging Lake and the route from Radium Lake to the Chilliwack Lake Eco Reserve.
Travel should not be attempted on the aforementioned trails except by very experienced hikers familiar in the use of a map and compass for navigational purposes. Anyone hiking these routes should be prepared for travel through heavy understory for the duration of the hike.
Only experienced paddlers should attempt to canoe or kayak in the park.
Dangerous currents exist at the outflow of Chilliwack Lake and several kilometres downstream. Avoid boating and rafting in this area. Strong winds are unpredictable.
There are no canoe or kayak rentals available in the park.
Only experienced paddlers should attempt to canoe or kayak in the park.
Dangerous currents exist at the outflow of Chilliwack Lake and several kilometres downstream. Avoid boating and rafting in this area. Strong winds are unpredictable.
There are no canoe or kayak rentals available in the park.
Visitors can fish for Dolly Varden, kokanee, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate, valid licence.
Pets must be on leash at all times inside the provincial park boundaries. Pets are permitted to be off-leash only when they are swimming in the dog-friendly area on the right side of the boat launch. Please do not leave pets unattended.
You are responsible for your pet’s behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Pets are not allowed in the day-use beach area to the left of the boat launch, the playground and field areas, or any park buildings.
Do not bring pets into the backcountry or on trails, as they can create potential conflicts with wildlife.
Bicycles must keep to roadways and bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are also not allowed on the trails within S⨱ótsaqel / Chilliwack 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.
Hunting is permitted within Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park. All hunters should refer to our hunting guide.
The park is 64 km southeast of Chilliwack, 40 km in from Vedder Crossing. Take Exit 104 from Highway 1 and follow the signs for Cultus Lake until Cultus Lake Road. Instead of turning here, follow Vedder Road across the bridge and turn right onto Chilliwack Lake Road. Follow this road for 40 km to the lake.
Sea to Sky Park Services Ltd.
604-986-9371
info@seatoskyparks.com
seatoskyparks.com
The Hudson Bay Company cut the first recorded trail up the Chilliwack River in 1855, improving the Indigenous Trail which joined the nine Indigenous villages between Vedder Crossing and Chilliwack Lake. Logging in the valley began early in the century, and by the 1920s developed into a considerable railroad logging operation.
In 1938, a massive fire was started by a rail accident which led to the line being abandoned and the transition to truck logging.
In 1942, the army base was established in Chilliwack. Sappers Park at the south end of Chilliwack Lake was built by a visiting British company of military engineers.
Flowers, trees, and shrubs are part of the park’s natural heritage. Please don’t damage or remove them.
Park users should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment. Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife.
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.