Bear Lake & northern lakes / Full trip pack
War Lake campground
A smaller camping base within Carp Lake Park near the War Falls walk. It is reached on the same resource-road approach as the main lake campground but is a separate camping area.
1. Getting there and parking
Leave Highway 97 at McLeod Lake for the Carp Lake park road and follow signs for War Lake campground. Do not continue automatically to the main Carp Lake campground, which lies approximately 32 km from the community. The approach has narrow gravel sections, corners and industrial traffic, with possible spring-breakup limitations for cars and trailers. Verify the current campground access and opening before travelling.
- From Highway 97 at McLeod Lake, take the Carp Lake access road.
- Allow for roughly 32 km of gravel to Kettle Bay at Carp Lake; War Lake is a separate campground near the eastern park entrance. Parts of the road are single lane, rough and shared with industrial traffic.
Road and vehicle: BC Parks warns that spring breakup can make the approach unsuitable for cars or trailers. The road has narrow sections and tight corners.
2. At the campsite
Use the campground roads and signed paths to reach the War Lake area and the nearby War Falls walking access. The falls are a separate short outing with two cascades and fast water; a campground stay does not make the riverbank a safe play or swimming area. Confirm site availability and service status at the campground rather than assuming the main Carp Lake facilities are duplicated here. Keep all supplies for the stay with you, since the park is isolated and offers little to purchase. Check the return road and weather before departure after heavy rain.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| War Lake campground mapped campground reference point | 54.859370 -123.271890 | OSMnode1179639259 named War Lake, tourism=camp_site, located at east end of lake within Carp Lake Park.
Source-backed reference location; current access, exact parking and field position not independently verified. https://mapcarta.com/N1179639259 |
5. Camping, facilities and seasons
Camping and tenting
War Lake has 12 vehicle campsites near its eastern end, with hand-pump water, pit toilets and a car-top boat launch. Long RV units are not suited to the campground. The listed 2026 season was May 15–September 15.
Water
Seasonal taps and hand pumps are listed. Taps are turned off outside the operating season.
Toilets
The park provides pit toilets rather than flush toilets.
Winter route
BC Parks describes winter access with no regular services and camping at the picnic shelter. This is different from operating-season campsite facilities.
Practical details checked 2026-10-17.
Reservations and current availability
Check the operator’s current rules, opening dates and booking requirements for your chosen campsite or cabin.
Your trip notes
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