Northern British Columbia Things To Do

Boya Lake Provincial Park

If you're passionate about water recreation, head to Boya Lake Provincial Park - its lake is one of the few in Northern BC warm enough for swimming. Superb water clarity as well as its many islands and bays also make Boya Lake a favourite canoeing destination. This park has a fascinating landscape of maze-like gravel ridges and pothole lakes, which were formed by glaciers approximately 8,000 years ago.

Boya Lake offers two short, interpretive trails and wonderful wildlife viewing - watch for Moose and Beaver, which live in and around the park's forest. The park has 50 vehicle campsites. Facilities include a water pump, pit toilets as well as a boat launch.

Boya Lake is a two-hour drive north from Dease Lake via Highway 37.

> Boya Lake Park website

Carp Lake Provincial Park

Considered one of the premier fishing destinations in Northern BC, Carp Lake is renowned for its rainbow trout. Canoeists and boaters are also drawn to the lake's many islands, bays and coves.

The park has two campgrounds with a total of 102 vehicle campsites. Facilities include pit toilets, running water and water pumps. Boat launches are also available.

You'll find two delightful, sandy beaches just a short walk from the campgrounds. You can also explore the area by foot along short nature trails - interpretive signs en route explain the park's history, wildlife and fauna. Look for Black Bears, deer and Moose. If you listen at day's end, you can often hear the haunting cry of loons echoing over the lake.

Carp Lake is located off a gravel road from Highway 97, a 2.5-hour drive northwest from Prince George.

A word or two on safety:

• The lake is subject to high winds and rough waters

> Carp Lake Park website

Crooked River Provincial Park

A popular destination, Crooked River features three lovely lakes. Bear Lake boasts some of the finest sandy beaches in the region, making it the preferred spot for swimmers and sunbathers. Outdoor enthusiasts also appreciate the many fishing and hiking opportunities available.

Visitors can amble along three easy trails to explore the park's lakes, river and lodgepole pine forests. This is prime habitat for a number of mammals and birds - there's a good chance you'll catch sight of river otters, beavers, muskrats, squirrels, chipmunks and perhaps (if you're lucky) a black bear.

There are 90 private and secluded vehicle campsites in the park. Facilities include running water, hot showers, pit and flush toilets as well as a sani-station.

Crooked River is a one-hour drive north from Prince George via Highway 97.

> Crooked River Park website

Lakelse Lake Provincial Park

Campers head to this park for its majestic setting amidst old-growth cedar, hemlock and Sitka spruce forests - some of which are a massive 2 m (6.5 ft) in diameter - as well as its sandy beaches, accessible water sports and many wildlife viewing opportunities. This is also a prime fishing location, particularly for salmon on the nearby Skeena and Kitimat Rivers.

While there is a roped-off swimming area, campers who find the waters of Lakelse Lake a little too cold can head over to Mount Layton Hot Springs, just minutes away by car. Relax in the resort's odourless, open-air hot pools or enjoy the waterslides (entrance fee in effect).

The park has 156 vehicle campsites. Facilities include coldwater taps, pit and flush toilets, showers and boat launch.

Lakelse Lake is a 20-minute drive south from Terrace via Highway 37.

> Lakelse Lake Park website

Monkman Provincial Park

Nestled in the Harte Ranges of the Central Rocky Mountains and Foothills, Monkman offers a diverse, inspiring landscape of jagged mountain peaks, old-growth-forested valleys, unique geological formations and crystalline alpine lakes.

A highlight of the park is Kinuseo Falls - a short hike leads visitors to a spectacular view of where the Murray River plunges 60 m (200 ft) over a geological fault to the river bed below. Other hiking opportunities abound, lasting anywhere from two hours to several days.

The park's campground offers 42 vehicle campsites, making it a perfect base for backcountry adventure. All the sites are conveniently shaded, surrounded by a stand of lodgepole pine. Facilities include running water and pit toilets.

Monkman is a one-hour drive south from Tumbler Ridge.

> Monkman Park website

Muncho Lake Provincial Park

Campers can view nature in all its glory here: magnificent mountains, bountiful wildlife and brilliantly coloured wildflowers are just a few of its wonders.

Muncho Lake's cold, deep waters - tinted green by minerals - are home to lake trout, Arctic grayling, bull trout and whitefish. Toss out a line and try your luck fishing. Guided boat tours are available on the 12-km (7.5-mi) lake during the summer months. You can also glide through its serene waters in a canoe.

This is one of the best locations to view northern wildlife. Commonly observed species include caribou, moose, stone sheep and mountain goats.

There are 30 vehicle-accessible provincial campsites at the Strawberry Flats and MacDonald Campgrounds along Muncho Lake. Facilities include water pumps, pit toilets and a boat launch. Private campsites, cabins and lodges are also available.

Muncho Lake is a three-hour drive west from Fort Nelson via Highway 97.

> Muncho Lake Park website

Naikoon Provincial Park

The primary attraction of Naikoon is its broad, sandy beaches. They stretch for approximately 100 km (60 mi) to form the eastern and northern boundaries of this unique and intriguing park, located on Graham Island, the largest of the Queen Charlotte Islands.

There are two campgrounds at opposite ends of the park providing a total of 73 vehicle campsites. Facilities at both include cold-water taps and pit toilets. Wilderness camping is allowed within the park.

Agate Beach Campground is located right on a spectacular stretch of beach. On a clear day, campers can see all the way to Alaska! There is a wealth of inter-tidal activity to explore. The area is also known for its amber-hued agates, which are found in abundance here.

Misty Meadows Campground is found at the south end of the park in the artistic community of Tlell. It is situated in a grove of tall trees and offers quick access to the beach.

The Tlell River is popular with anglers for coho salmon and steelhead. Those campers interested in learning more about Haida art and culture can visit the nearby communities of Old Massett and Skidegate. There is a uniquely evolved assortment of wildlife on the island, including the pine marten, saw-wet owl, Harry woodpecker, Steller's jay and North America's largest black bear.

The Queen Charlotte Islands are accessed via an eight-hour ferry ride from Prince Rupert. Air service is also available from Vancouver and Prince Rupert.

> Naikoon Park website

Stuart Lake

Stuart Lake is home to two lakeside provincial campgrounds, as well as private- and forest-service campsites.

The first campground is located in Paarens Beach Provincial Park. This gem of a little-known park offers outstanding views across Stuart Lake. Its uncrowded campground offers 40 vehicle campsites and quick access to a lengthy, white sand beach and boat launch. Facilities include running water and pit toilets.

Paarens Beach is ideally situated near the recreational opportunities on and around Stuart Lake, a favourite of which is fishing. The Stuart-Takla chain of waterways is renowned for its outstanding trout fishing - 9-kg (20-lb) rainbow trout have purportedly been caught in these lakes!

A short car hop takes campers to nearby Mount Pope Provincial Park, where a 13- km (8-mi) roundtrip trek leads to the summit of 1,472 m (4,829 ft) Mount Pope. You'll be rewarded by breathtaking panoramic views, including Stuart Lake and the snowcapped Omineca Mountains to the north. Allow four to six hours for a roundtrip.

Nearby Sowchea Bay Provincial Park has 30 rustic vehicle sites right at the water. Facilities include pit toilets and a water pump.

Stuart Lake is located off Highway 27 near Fort St. James.

> Paarens Beach Park website
> Sowchea Bay Park website