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Advisories

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Picnic areas

West Lake’s day-use area has all the ingredients for an ideal family outing. Sunbathers will find a perfect spot to spread a blanket on the expansive sandy beach or under the shady cottonwood trees. Nearby change houses and picnic tables make it easy to spend an entire day enjoying this beautiful setting. Parents can relax in the picnic area while watching the children at the water’s edge nearby. For energetic visitors looking for a little light-hearted competition, a play field, volleyball net and horseshoe pitches are provided.

For groups, two picnic areas are available. A wood stove, horseshoe pitches, and a playfield make year-round fun available for groups of up to 100. One of the shelters is enclosed for optimum use in winter and on cool days and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The other shelter can be reserved for group use by calling the Parks and Protected Areas Regional Office.

Group Picnicking Fee: $50.00 per group
Pit or flush toilets
Pit and flush toilets are located throughout the park.
Drinking water
Cold water taps are located throughout the park. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
Boat launch
There is a double concrete boat launch, complete with parking lots. The boat launch area is closed daily from dusk to 8:00 a.m. during the summer months. The boat launch opens May 1 and closes October 30.
Hiking

There are 15 km of trails that are accessible in both summer and winter months. 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. Trails are on the park map [PDF] .

Swimming

Safe swimming practices are a must! Visitors are encouraged to remain within the designated area. An abrupt drop-off is marked with floats. Swimmers itch may be present at West Lake. To prevent swimmers itch, check out the BC Healthfiles page. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Canoeing
Lots of opportunity for canoeing or kayaking.
Fishing

Fishing is popular on West Lake. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. There are opportunities for ice fishing.

Wildlife viewing
This park offers superb habitat for moose, deer, beaver, black bear, and a wide variety of bird life.
Pets on leash
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in park buildings or beach areas except for the area set aside for pets between the Log picnic shelter and the boat launch as indicated by signs. You are responsible for their control, 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.
Waterskiing
There are waterskiing opportunities in this park. The launching of boats equipped with motors that have above water exhausts is prohibited in the park. Motorized boats must remain outside the boundary line between the orange shore marker. Strict boating regulations are enforced.
Windsurfing
There are windsurfing opportunities in this park.
Winter recreation
There are winter recreation opportunities. Snowshoeing opportunities exist on the regular (summer) trails in the park. There are also opportunities for cross country skiing on these trails; however, there are no tracks set.