Bear Lake & northern lakes / Full trip pack
Carp Lake island camps
Three island camping areas provide a more secluded Carp Lake overnight reached by boat or canoe. They require water-travel planning and self-sufficiency rather than a walking approach.
1. Getting there and parking
From Highway 97 at McLeod Lake, approximately 141 km north of Prince George, take the Carp Lake park access road. The main campground is about 32 km from the community. The gravel road is narrow in places, with tight corners, rough surfaces and industrial traffic. Spring breakup can make it unsuitable for some cars or trailers; check current conditions rather than relying only on the approximate two-hour drive quoted by BC Parks. Continue to the boat launch for the water stage; no road reaches the island sites.
- Reach the Carp Lake boat launch using the gravel access road from McLeod Lake.
- Continue by boat to a designated island campsite. These camps cannot be reached as a roadside or walking-only campground visit.
2. At the campsite
At the Carp Lake launch, register as required and identify the island camping area you intend to reach on the park map. Choose a crossing suited to the boat, load, forecast and experience of the party. BC Parks warns that strong winds can rapidly produce rough water, so do not let a short apparent map distance determine the trip. Carry shelter, food, drinking-water treatment and all equipment needed without relying on mainland campground facilities. Use an established camping place and pack out waste. Plan the return crossing with the same care as the outbound trip; a campsite does not provide a rescue or transport service.
The return
Return by boat to the launch. Carp Lake can develop strong winds and rough water, so the camping itinerary must include a suitable paddling/boating plan.
Location map
Published locations only. A complete route line is still needed.
Published locations
Numbered points match the map. Use the role beside each point. A summit or park reference point is not a parking location.
| Place and role | Coordinates | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carp Lake island camps White Spruce island camp; one of three marine camping areas | 54.772210 -123.354170 | OSMnode1179639310 WhiteSpruce campsite; other mapped island camps Balsam/Spirea preserved as waypoints.
Boat-access campsite, not vehicle access. One representative camp in this grouped record. Check current registration and lake conditions. https://mapcarta.com/N1179639310 |
| 1. White Spruce island camp mapped boat-access camp | 54.772210 -123.354170 | Named OSM campsite on CarpLake island; BC Parks lists three marine-access island camping areas. https://mapcarta.com/N1179639310 |
| 2. Balsam island camp mapped boat-access camp | 54.764090 -123.395870 | Named OSM campsite on CarpLake island; BC Parks lists three marine-access island camping areas. https://mapcarta.com/N1179639372 |
| 3. Spirea island camp mapped boat-access camp | 54.751530 -123.353420 | Named OSM campsite on CarpLake island; BC Parks lists three marine-access island camping areas. https://mapcarta.com/N1179639378 |
5. Camping, facilities and seasons
Camping and tenting
BC Parks identifies three island marine camping locations and directs paddlers to register at the Carp Lake boat launch. Facilities at the vehicle campground are not automatically available on the islands.
Water
The reviewed island-camping description does not establish a treated water source at the camps.
Practical details checked 2026-10-17.
Your trip notes
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