Blackwater & southwest / Full trip pack
Punchaw Lake recreation site
https://hikingprincegeorge.com/hikes/punchaw-lake-recreation-site
A small forest-sheltered lakeside campsite along the Blackwater road corridor. It provides a rustic overnight stop and lake access rather than a documented long walking trail.
1. Getting there and parking
From the Highway 16–97 junction in Prince George, drive about 9 km west and turn left onto Blackwater Road. Continue approximately 27 km to Baldy Hughes, where the road becomes gravel and its kilometre numbering restarts at zero. The site is listed at the 24 km point on that gravel section. Keep the two distance origins separate and confirm current road signs and conditions before departure.
- Follow Highway 16 west for about 9 km from the Highway 97 junction, then turn left onto Blackwater Road.
- Continue about 27 km to Baldy Hughes, where the gravel-road kilometre count begins at zero.
- The recreation site is at kilometre 24 of that gravel section.
Road and vehicle: The directory describes 2WD access; verify conditions after rain or during spring breakup.
2. At the campsite
Use the recreation-site entrance to reach the established camping area and lake access. The listing describes five sites under mature trees, with two pit toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. It calls the approach generally suitable for two-wheel-drive vehicles, but this is not a current road inspection, particularly after rain or during breakup. No marked hiking circuit or measured elevation profile is established for the campsite itself. Stay in designated camping places, check fire restrictions and treat lake access as a separate boating or fishing activity.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Punchaw Lake recreation site recreation project location | 53.425577 -123.035547 | PROJECT_NAME=Punchaw Lake; FOREST_FILE_ID=REC1153; official source point [-123.03554659528402, 53.425576686760344] https://www.campingrvbc.com/sites/bc/punchaw-lake-prince-george/ |
5. Camping, facilities and seasons
Camping and tenting
Five campsites are listed, with tables and fire rings under mature trees.
Toilets
Two pit toilets are documented.
Practical details checked 2026-10-17.
Your trip notes
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