Birkenhead Lake Park

10,439 ha
Area
1963
Established
Class A
Park class
Park
Type

About this Park

Birkenhead Lake Park was first established in 1963 to provide lakeside camping and other recreation experiences for travellers between Whistler and Lillooet. The park was expanded in 1996 from 3,642 hectares to 9,755 hectares, adding significant conservation values of the Sockeye Creek watershed. The park was again expanded by 684 hectares in 2008 to include more of the alpine headwaters of the western side of the Sockeye Creek watershed.

The park protects important habitat for a variety of wildlife, including spotted owls, mountain goats, black bears, and grizzly bears. Old growth forests, subalpine and alpine environments, large and small lakes all contribute to the park’s diversity.

Safety information

Special notes

  • Entrance gates are closed 10 pm to 7 am
  • Quiet hours are 10 pm to 7 am. Music, generators, etc. must be shut off completely between these hours.
  • Generator use is only permitted between the hours of 9am and 11am, and from 6pm to 8pm. View the generator policy

Location notes

Located 22 km West of D’Arcy, 90 km North of Whistler, 145 km North of Squamish. Take Highway 99 from Pemberton northeast to Mt. Currie, turn off Highway 99 to D’Arcy. Just before D’Arcy (about 50 km from Mt. Currie) there are highway signs indicating a turn off on to a gravel road that leads to Birkenhead Lake. From there it is a 17 km drive along a gravel road. The nearest communities are D’arcy, Pemberton, and Mt Currie.

Activities

  • 152:Hiking For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.Caution: The lakeside Wilderness trail and the Birkenhead Lake trail: approximately 1km from the trail head at the parking lot, both of these trails cross a 50 metre section of a rock debris avalanche path. Trail users must use caution when crossing over loose rock rubble and may be required to ford the stream. Crossings should be avoided during periods of prolonged, heavy rain.Wilderness trailA 2km hiking trail through old growth forest leads to a flat, treed area with views of the mountains across the lake and views back of the day use area beaches. A short section connects with the Birkenhead Lake Trail, allowing for a longer hike or a loop back to the trailhead.Birkenhead Lake trailThe 8km trail to Birkenhead Lake Estates at the south end of the lake joins up with Birkenhead Road and Tenas Valley logging road. This trail is used by both hikers and cyclists. There may also be horseback riding on the west half of the Birkenhead Lake trail up to Sockeye Creek. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on this trail.Goat Lookout trailThis 1km trail on the south side of the valley is a bit rough and steep in places, but offers a view of the lake at the end and in the spring and fall mountain goats may be seen on the cliffs above the campground. Caution: During the spring snow melt (April to June), Phelix Creek water levels rise and may crest the log bridge approximately 100 metres from the start of the trail. High water conditions may require temporary seasonal closure of the trail. Best you otherwise hike the trail in the mornings during May and June.
  • 152:Canoeing Canoes and kayaks are welcome but be aware of strong winds which can blow up suddenly on the lake. There are no developed, boat accessible campsites on the lake. Daily and hourly canoe rentals are available on site. For more details, please contact the park operator.
  • 152:Fishing Good fishing for Kokanee and Rainbow Trout. There are no Dolly Varden in Birkenhead Lake.Fishing regulations require anglers to release all Bull Trout caught. Bull Trout are on the endangered species list. Some anglers have mistaken the Bull Trout species for a Dolly Varden. Since the Bull Trout species has suffered, there is currently a recovery program in place and the park is requesting the public’s assistance.
  • 152:Swimming There is a sandy beach and swimming is available in this cold water lake. August is usually the warmest water month. Stay within the swimming area identified by the marker buoys. There are currently no swimming floats. 
  • 152:Interpretive programs The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has a fun, hands on, Learn to Fish Program that teaches basic angling skills to youth under 16 years old. Check back to this page or ask the park operator for information.
  • 152:Wildlife viewing There is no viewing platform but mountain goats can be seen in the spring on the high cliffs to the north, above the day use area and campground.
  • 152:Pets on leash Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. However, there is one designated open area at the far end of the day-use area for dogs. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
  • 152:Cycling Bicycles must keep to roadways and designated mountain bike trails.Birkenhead Lake TrailThe 8 km gravel trail to Birkenhead Lake estates at the south end of the lake joins up with Birkenhead Road and Tenas Valley logging road. This trail is used by both hikers and cyclists. Caution: There may also be horseback riding on the west half of the Birkenhead Lake trail up to Sockeye Creek.
  • 152:Windsurfing This park provides good windsurfing opportunities.
  • 152:Winter recreation During the winter season, the 2 km road from the park gate to the lake is good for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Facilities

  • 152:Picnic areas There is a day-use and picnicking area with picnic tables and parking area. Some of the picnic tables have barbeque attachments, bring your own briquettes. There are no fire pits in the day-use area and open fires are not permitted. There is a sandy beach. There are no phones in the park. A pay telephone is located in Mt. Currie, approximately 50 km south of the park.
  • 152:Pit or flush toilets Pit toilets are available in both the day-use and campground areas. No flush toilets at this park.
  • 152:Drinking water A pressurized, treated water system is now available. Potable water is available at taps in the main campground, the high density campground and the sani-station.
  • 152:Accessibility information Accessibility information is available for this park.
  • 152:Boat launch There is a concrete double-wide boat launch available in the day-use area at this park. Trailer parking is available overnight, vehicles should be parked at your campsite. A floating dock is next to the boat launch. Boats can be left in the water (tie-up space is limited on the dock) or beached overnight at the owners own risk. There is a 30-minute maximum for boat mooring on the north side of the dock (boat launch side) to allow access for other vessels. There is no nearby marina to moor boats. Waterskiing on the lake is not recommended.
  • 152:Sani-station During the collecting season, a sani-station is available and a fee is charged for the service. Sani-station use fee: $5.00 per discharge
  • 152:Campfires While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please do not gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.

Location

50.57809, -122.74180 · Pemberton

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