White Lake Park | BC Parks

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View of White Lake with forest and mountains in the surrounding distance.

View of White Lake as the night approaches.

Park overview

White Lake Provincial Park is situated on the north shore of White Lake. It has a reputation for excellent recreational rainbow trout fishing – it is one of the top three angling lakes in the province in terms of angler days. White Lake is popular for fly fishing and trolling in the summer, and also for ice fishing during the winter.

Facilities for camping and boat launching are limited – there are two pit toilets, a gravel boat launch, and an old picnic shelter.

Special Notes

Please help to prevent the spread of Eurasian Water Milfoil by removing all weeds from your boat and motor before launching and after removing it from the lake.
The lakeshore is suffering from extensive damage. Please launch your boat in the main launching area only.
The camping area is undeveloped and suited mostly to self-contained truck-and-camper visitors.
The nearest public telephone is at Balmoral, 10 km away.
Camping is only permitted in the designated campground. Please obey all signs within the park.
ATVs are prohibited in White Lake Provincial Park and are not to be operated in the park boundary.

Painted Turtles:

White Lake is home to the intermountain-Rocky Mountain population of the Western Painted Turtle ( Chrysemys picta bellii). The Western Painted Turtle is the only native pond turtle left in British Columbia and therefore makes up an important component of our biodiversity. Painted Turtles typically occupy the shallow water zones of ponds, lakes, sloughs and slow moving streams.

You can easily find Painted Turtles basking on partially submerged logs during warm sunny days. During the breeding season pregnant female turtles leave their aquatic environment in search of loose, warm, well-drained soils, typically south facing. These movements typically occur in late afternoon periods and during the onset of dusk. In spite of being our only native turtle, the Province of British Columbia classifies the Western Painted Turtle as vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss and degradation and through collision with automobiles during the nesting season.

In consideration for the well being of the Western Painted Turtle we ask for your cooperation and that you adhere to the following rules:

When driving on roads during the breeding period (May/June) we ask you to be extra vigilant and slow down to avoid accidently hitting turtles
Please keep pets on a leash
Please use the designated boat launch for lake access
Please camp within designated spots
Do not touch or move Painted Turtles
Do not disturb shoreline habitat

Advisories

Dates of operation

All dates are subject to change without notice.

Open to public access May 13, 2023 to September 30, 2023

Current status:Open to public access

Be sure to check advisories above before visiting

April - October. Gates are closed once the lake freezes over or winter conditions limit access. Gates open in the spring when ice comes off the lake and road conditions permit safe access.

White Lake Campground

Facility type

Vehicle-accessible camping

Main camping season dates

2023: May 13 to September 30

Winter note: Campground is accessible in the off-season, but may not offer full services such as maintenance, garbage pick-up, security etc.

Camping

Vehicle-accessible camping

Although there are no designated campsites, the park is suitable for self-contained small truck-and-camper rigs. The camping area is small making it difficult for larger units and trailers to maneuver for parking. This area would be considered a high-density campsite for approximately 10 units. There are no tables provided. The trees surrounding the parking area provide some shelter.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $13.00 per party / night

BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $6.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

Winter camping

The campground is open for off season camping until the gates are locked once the Lake freezes over or winter conditions limit access. The 14 day camping limit for visitors still applies.

Facilities

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Pit or flush toilets

This park has pit toilets – no flush toilets.

Boat launch

An undeveloped boat launch area is suitable for small car-top type boats only. The lakeshore is suffering from extensive damage, so boaters are requested to please launch their boats in the main launching area only.

Campfires

While campfires are allowed 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.

Activities

Swimming

There is not a designated or protected swimming area in this park. Please use caution when swimming due to boat traffic. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Canoeing

A pleasant place for canoeing and small boats. The lakeshore is suffering from extensive damage, so boaters are requested to please launch their boats in the main launching area only.

Fishing

Fly/troll for Rainbow Trout to 5kg. Experienced chironomid anglers do well in early spring. Also in the spring a good mayfly hatch is productive. In July try gomphus or dragonfly patterns. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. There is access to the lake for ice fishing until the snow makes the entrance road impassable. Please do not light fires on the ice as it adds pollution to the lakes.

Pets on leash

Pets/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 wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Maps and location

View a more detailed map.

The park is located approximately 10 km northeast of the Trans Canada Highway from Balmoral (west of Salmon Arm); the last 2 km is on a logging road. Balmoral, White lake, Tappen, Sorrento and Salmon Arm are the communities that are close to the park.

Park and activity maps

White Lake Provincial Park map [PDF]

Learn more about this park

Park details

Date established: February 9, 1965
Size: 266 hectares

Park contact

This park proudly operated by:
Silvertip Park Services Ltd.
parkinquiries@telus.net
250 320-9305

Nature and culture

History: Established in 1965.

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.