Blackwater & southwest / Full trip pack
West Lake Provincial Park
- Published distance
- Unconfirmed Trip basis unconfirmed
- Elevation gain
- Not established Cumulative ascent for this outing has not been established.
- Walking time
- Unconfirmed
- Difficulty
- Unconfirmed
network; choose a signed route
https://hikingprincegeorge.com/hikes/west-lake-provincial-park
A lake-and-forest day trip southwest of Prince George, with a swimming beach, picnic areas and paths through the wetlands north of the parking area.
1. Getting there and parking
Follow Blackwater Road southwest from Prince George to the public park on West Lake’s north shore. The main day-use parking is off West Lake Road on the official map. BC Parks gives 22 km from town without a specified starting point. The separate private West Lake Campground is a different destination.
Parking: Day-use parking serves the beach and picnic areas; the boat launch has a separate parking area.
2. Walking the route
For a straightforward shoreline walk, leave the main day-use parking toward the swimming beach. Turn west along the mapped beachfront path, passing the picnic area toward the boat launch and boaters’ beach, then retrace the path. The group picnic area is east of the main beach near the Beaverly Creek outlet. The brochure also describes forest and wetland paths north of the parking, but those are outside the detailed day-use map. Do not mistake the shoreline map for a complete forest route guide. Beaverly Creek is fish-spawning habitat; remain on the paths rather than entering its channel.
3. Route 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 |
|---|---|---|
| West Lake Provincial Park official park reference point; not a parking or trailhead coordinate | 53.737222 -122.862222 | BC Geographical Names gives West Lake Park at 53°44′14″N,122°51′44″W, WGS84, explicitly the approximate feature centre. This is suitable for locating the park and area forecast, not driving directions. Source date: 2026-10-17 https://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/20192.html |
5. Camping, facilities and seasons
Camping and tenting
Day use only. This provincial park is not the separate private campground on Blackwater Road.
Water
Seasonal drinking-water taps are turned off outside the operating season.
Toilets
Both pit toilets and flush toilets are listed by BC Parks.
Season and access
Summer paths also serve snowshoers and cross-country skiers in winter; BC Parks does not set ski tracks here. The boat launch is normally available May 1–October 30, with summer gates closed from dusk until 8 am.
Dogs
Leash dogs on park paths and keep them out of buildings and beach areas. A signed off-leash area lies west of the boat launch; use the posted boundary.
Accessibility
The linked 2003 park brochure describes wheelchair access at the beachfront paths, selected picnic tables, change rooms, toilets and swim ramp. That does not establish accessible gradients on the forest paths. Check current surfaces and facility availability with the park operator.
Practical details checked 2026-10-17.
Measurement notes
No single hiking distance or ascent is assigned to this park network.
The current page gives 22 km from Prince George; the older park map labels 25 km without a defined town origin. Neither is a timed road estimate.
More maps & trail files
West Lake day-use map (PDF)
Beachfront paths, parking and facilities; northern forest trails are not fully mapped here.
https://nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/kuwyyf/west_lake_park_map_e8e8310a32.pdf
BC Parks · Publisher’s source page · checked 2026-10-17.
West Lake park brochure — March 2003 (PDF)
Historical visitor guide and accessibility descriptions; current BC Parks rules take precedence.
https://nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/kuwyyf/west_lake_brochure_ab6204fde7.pdf
BC Parks · Publisher’s source page · checked 2026-10-17.
These links open files and maps maintained by their publishers. They require an internet connection and are not included in this saved guide.
Your trip notes
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