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#5

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1-778-414-8014[email protected]

Bowron Lake Provincial Park is a large wilderness area on the western slopes of the Cariboo Mountain Range, approximately 120km east of Quesnel, BC. It features a world-renowned 116km canoe circuit through interconnected waterways with lakes, portages, and mountain scenery, along with a 25-unit drive-in frontcountry campground. Backcountry campsites are designated along the circuit with bear-proof caches. The park offers diverse activities including hiking to waterfalls, swimming at sandy beaches, fishing (bull trout, kokanee, rainbow trout, lake trout), and winter cross-country skiing on portage trails. (via official site)

Tents Cabins & rentals Walk-in only

Key facts

At-a-glance details for #5, from its official website.

Booking & season

SeasonSummer months
Reservation cutoffMust be made at least 2 days before departure
Phone reservation fee$5 for reservations, changes, or cancellations

Pitches & accommodation

Pitches25
Tent space sizesRange from 1.5m × 1.5m to 4m × 4m
Emergency cabins8 small rustic log cabins, 4 persons per cabin, for emergencies and gear drying

Facilities & services

Equipment rental availableCanoes, kayaks, wall tents, and canoe carts available for rent during summer months through local outfitters and park operator
Emergency communicationSix emergency two-way radios stationed around circuit

Activities & family

Winter activitiesCross-country skiing on portage trails; ice fishing on Bowron Lake

Location & access

Distance from QuesnelApproximately 120km east via Highway 97 to Highway 26 through Wells, then 27km on graded dirt road (Bowron Lake Road)
Distance from SeattleApproximately 12 hours by car

Rules & policies

Canoe circuit duration6–10 days for full circuit; 2–4 days for West Side
Group size limitsMaximum 6 people per individual party; 7–14 for group parties
Not allowedNo motorized boats on circuit; no soap in lakes; no firearms or crossbows; no portable stereos with external speakers; no commercially packaged beverages
Canoe cart restrictions75cm maximum axle width; cargo maximum 28kg
Scented itemsDeodorant should be left at home; all scented items must be stored in bear-proof caches

Good to know

Cell phone receptionNo cellphone reception on circuit
Backcountry campsitesDesignated individual campsites (maximum 6 people) and group campsites (7–14 people) with bear-proof caches and outhouse facilities

Facilities & details

Amenities and on-site features reported for #5.

Fee
Backcountry

Know before you go

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Location

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What’s nearby

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🏞️ Attractions

Indianpoint Mountain (2,146 m)
Indianpoint Mountain (2,146 m)Summits & peaks0 km · ~1 min walkDirections ↗
Mount Kruger (1,847 m)Summits & peaks0 km · ~1 min walkDirections ↗
McCabe Ridge (1,925 m)Summits & peaks0 km · ~1 min walkDirections ↗
Bowron Lake Provincial Park
Bowron Lake Provincial ParkParks & play

Bowron Lake Provincial Park is a wilderness provincial park located in east-central British Columbia, Canada, near the border with Alberta. It is 117 km (73 mi) east of the city of Quesnel. Other nearby towns include Wells and the historic destination of Barkerville. Once a popular hunting and fishing destination, today the park is protected and known for its abundant wildlife, rugged glaciated mo

0 km · ~1 min walkDirections ↗
Goat River TrailheadTrails & trailheads0.3 km · ~3 min walkDirections ↗

🛒 Amenities & services

🍽️ Food & drink

Weather

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Best time to visit

Typical monthly temperature and rainfall at #5.

Good to know

Quick answers to common questions about #5.

How far in advance should I book?

Book at least 3 months in advance to get the dates you prefer. Reservations usually sell out on the day they become available.

Are pets allowed?

Dogs are not permitted on the canoe circuit. Pets are allowed in the drive-in campground if kept on a leash.

What should I know about water?

Water must be treated using a hand pump type filter rated for removal of Giardia cysts, or boil it for 2 minutes. No commercially packaged beverages are permitted.

How do I make reservations?

Contact BC Parks Reservations at 1-800-689-9025 (toll-free) or 1-519-858-6161 (international), weekdays 7am-7pm Pacific Time. There is a $5 fee for phone reservations, changes, or cancellations. Reservations must be made at least 2 days before departure.

What camping facilities are available?

The drive-in campground has 25 units with tent spaces ranging from 1.5m × 1.5m to 4m × 4m. There are 8 small rustic log cabins (4 persons each) available for emergencies and gear drying. Picnic shelters with wood stoves and tables are available at some campsites.

How much does it cost to camp at #5?

#5 charges a camping fee.

How many pitches does #5 have?

#5 has around 25 pitches.

When is #5 open?

#5 is open Summer months.

What languages are spoken at #5?

Staff at #5 speak English.

Documents & downloads

Price lists, brochures and info files from the official website for #5.

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