Bear
River Mercantile Your Bowron Lake Adventure Specialists
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Bowron Lake Provincial Park is situated on the western slopes of the Cariboo Mountains and offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities from canoeing, kayaking, camping, boating, hiking, swimming, fishing and winter recreation. The area is best known for its Canoe Circuit which features 116km (72 miles) of interconnecting lakes, rivers and portages. The complete wilderness paddling trip takes from 6 to 10 days, depending on your time frame and skill level. For those looking for a shorter and less arduous trip, there is the West Side of the circuit which can be paddled in 2 to 4 days. This West Side trip requires less portaging and has little fast river paddling, so it is a good option for elderly paddlers or for families with younger children. The park has a tremendous diversity of topography, vegetation and wildlife. The smooth rounded hilltops of the Quesnel Highlands on the West Side of the park, have a uniquely different character from the rugged imposing peaks of the Cariboo Mountains, on the eastern and southern sections of the park. The area is a place of many moods, from brilliant sunshine and placid blue lakes to large angry gray swells and torrential downpours. The entire park is a wildlife sanctuary and is the home to many North American species such as the Grizzly Bear, Black Bear, Moose, Beaver, Otter, Eagles and Osprey. The front country facilities of the Park include a 25 site Provincial Park Campground which has picnic tables, fire rings, out houses and water. Wood is available for purchase from the campground operator. Nearby lodges and stores also provide camping, cabins, restaurants, stores and rental equipment. The Park Registration Center is situated near the provincial campground and provides park and area information. All backcountry paddlers must register at the Registration Center before heading out on the lake chain. The Registration Center is open 7 days a week, usually from May 15 to Sept 30. Backcountry facilities on the lake chain include 48 wilderness campsites, each of which, have from 2 to 8 tent pads. Each campsite also has bear caches, fire rings and pit toilets (no picnic tables). There are several small emergency cabins situated around the chain, which are outfitted with wood stoves, a bunk bed and table. Some campsites also have cooking shelters with wood stoves and picnic tables in them. Campers should be prepared to share these facilities with other parties while out on the chain. Fire wood is not supplied to each campsite, and may have to be carried in from the nearest wood lot. These woodlot sites will be indicated on a map obtainable from the registration center before heading out. For more detailed information about the park follow the links below.
All Phillips PhotosThree Choices for Area Visitors
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