Provincial Parks

The South Cariboo is home to an abundance of provincial parks, enough to spend the better part of a lifetime. Here are some of the most popular choices in the area.

Green Lake Provincial Park

Not the largest park in the South Cariboo, but the park and surrounding accommodation options are extremely popular because of Green Lake itself. The lake is among the best swimming holes with fairly shallow and warm water that has a brilliant green hue.

Lac La Hache Provincial Park

Lac la Hache Provincial Park’s popularity also stems from being on a lake, which is used for swimming, fishing, power boating and water-skiing. There are rental and accommodation options in the area.

Carl Archie drums on the shores of Green Lake to welcome participants in the Pulling Together Canoe journey in 2022. The eight-day journey promotes healing, reconciliation, and respect for Indigenous host nations, as well as the sharing of Indigenous cultures.

Bridge Lake Provincial Park

The Interlakes area is probably more popular for its resorts than provincial parks but that doesn’t mean you should overlook Bridge Lake Provincial Park. If you ask around, you may be told it’s quite small, as it started at only 11 hectares, but now spans over 400 hectares protecting much of the undeveloped shoreline and islands. It can be a good spot to see bald eagles, beavers and other wildlife. Like many South Cariboo lakes, it’s a popular fishing destination.

Wells Gray Provincial Park

You can find multiple provincial parks in the Forest Grove and Canim Lake area including Schoolhouse Provincial Park and Ruth Lake Provincial Park, but Wells Gray is undoubtedly the most recognizable. Even though only a small part reaches out into the area, it’s stunning with easily accessible waterfalls.

Big Bar Provincial Park

Big Bar Lake Provincial Park comprises approximately 330 hectares of rolling landscape. Set against a mountainous backdrop, the lake is surrounded by lodgepole pine and spruce. Visitors of Big Bar Lake Park often see wildlife on the four-km hiking trail surrounding the scenic wetlands, and enjoy angling for rainbow trout in the three-mile long lake. The area is an extremely popular fishing destination, and is also widely used by other recreationists. Want more information on these or other local provincial parks? Visit the South Cariboo Visitor Centre.