Whiteswan Lake Park
1,994 ha
Area
1978
Established
Class A
Park class
Park
Type
About this Park
The shining waters of two mountain lakes, Whiteswan and Alces, and a natural hot springs are the focal points of Whiteswan Lake Park. Five lakeside or riverside campgrounds, three boat launches, an historic lakeside hiking trail, and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities makes this a perfect setting for a camping holiday.
Take a virtual tour of Whiteswan Lake Park
Visitors may watch a moose feeding in the fog-shrouded water of Alces Lake, admire spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains and enjoy angling in some of the most productive lakes in the region for trophy rainbow trout.
After a day in the backcountry or on the lake, relax in the soothing waters of Lussier Hot Springs located near the park entrance at the 17.5km marker on the Whiteswan forest service road.
Safety information
- Use extreme caution on the Whiteswan Lake road at all times. Extreme care must be taken when driving the canyon portion (15km to 18km) of the access road to the park. For improved safety turn your headlights on. Be aware that mine ore trucks and oversized loaded logging trucks are on the route. Always give them the right of way.
- Mountain and lake weather can change rapidly, be prepared. Visitors should be aware that high winds can come up quickly, use caution while boating.
- There is no public phone or cell phone service at Whiteswan Park.
Boating and Fishing
- No towing is allowed on the lakes and no power boats are allowed on Alces Lake.
- Read the current fishing regulations.
- Snowmobiles are allowed only on Whiteswan Lake for access to the winter fishery. Snowmobile use is prohibited everywhere else in the park, including Alces Lake.
- Read the fishing and boat launch information below
Lussier Hot Springs
- Compact snow and ice may be present on the access trail and at the parking area. Access is not recommended when conditions are icy. The use of shoe or boot traction devices is recommended.
Location notes
Whiteswan Lake Park is located within the Kootenay Ranges of the Rocky Mountains, 22km southeast of the Village of Canal Flats, the nearest community. Access is from Highway 93/95, turn east 4.5 kilometres south of Canal Flats onto the gravel Whiteswan Forest Service Road. Whiteswan Lake is about 25km from the highway, the hot springs are located near the west boundary of the park at 17.5km.
Activities
- 287:Hiking The north shore trail is a pleasant outing that travels through a Douglas-fir forest and provides views of Whiteswan Lake and surrounding mountains. The total one-way distance of the trail is 8km from the Alces Lake campground to Home Basin campground. The trail can also be accessed from a trailhead at the east end of Alces Lake, approximately 2km by trail from the Alces Lake campground. Where the trail crosses Cave Creek, a short branch trail leads to the Cave Creek campground.
- 287:Fishing The fishery at Alces and Whiteswan Lakes are of one of the highest quality rainbow trout fisheries in the East Kootenays. Whiteswan Lake also provides ice fishing opportunities.
- 287:Cycling Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Whiteswan Lake Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
- 287:Hunting The discharge and carrying of firearms is permitted in this park for the purposes of hunting during open season. Please consult the BC Government Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information. Contact BC Parks at parkinfo@gov.bc.ca with any specific questions.
- 287:Canoeing There are paddling, canoeing, and kayaking opportunities at this park.
- 287:Swimming There is a swimming beach area at Home Basin day-use area but this swimming area is not marked swimming area. Use caution in the area.
- 287: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. 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.
Facilities
- 287:Pit or flush toilets Pit toilets are located centrally in each campground; Home Basin (6), Inlet Creek (2), Packrat Point (2), Alces (4), Cave Creek (2), and White River (2).
- 287:Sani-station A sani-station is available during the operating season at the entrance to Alces Campground. A water hose is available for rinsing, however, water is non-potable.Sani-station use fee: $5.00 per discharge
- 287:Boat launch There are four boat launches. Home Basin and Packrat Point which are concrete, Alces and Inlet Creek which are gravel. To ensure a quiet and relaxing experience, no towing is allowed on Alces or Whiteswan Lakes. Electric motors only are allowed on Alces Lake.
- 287:Campfires Firewood can be purchased from the park operator in some parks or you can bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please do not gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Bring a portable stove for cooking.
- 287:Picnic areas This park has 3 day-use and picnic areas located at Packrat, Home Basin, and White River campgrounds. A day-use area at Lussier Hot Springs has a parking lot and pit toilet.
- 287:Drinking water Each of the campgrounds in the park have water provided by groundwater hand pumps.A permanent boil water advisory is in effect. Boil, filter, or treat water before use.
- 287:Accessibility information Accessibility information is available for these areas of the park:Alces LakeHome BasinInlet CreekLussier River HotspringsPack Rat PointWhite River
- 287:Hot spring Lussier Hot Springs is located near the park entrance at 17.5km on the Whiteswan forest service road (FSR). The springs, long a favourite of campers and wilderness enthusiasts, can be accessed from the Whiteswan FSR by a short hike down to the Lussier River. Two pit toilets are located at the parking lot. Liquor, dogs, and smoking are not permitted at the hot springs. Garbage receptacles are located up at the parking area. Nudity is prohibited. Park Rangers make regular patrols to Lussier Hot Springs. Please help keep this wildland hot springs clean. Please be aware, Lussier Hot Springs are natural, and subject to climactic conditions, may sometimes run cool. Attention winter users: The trail leading down to the hot pools can become very slippery during the winter, please use caution during your visit.
- 287:Fishing Dock
Location
50.14047, -115.49763 · East Kootenay North
