Arrow Lakes Park

121 ha
Area
1981
Established
Class A
Park class
Park
Type

About this Park

The Shelter Bay campground is one of four small sites in Arrow Lake. The other three sites (Burton, Eagle Creek and Fauqier) are managed by local community groups.

Upper Arrow and Lower Arrow Lakes are a widening of the Columbia River and lie between the imposing Selkirk Mountains on the east and the Monashee Mountains on the west.


Narrow strips of beach varying in width are interspersed with rocky headlands and steep cliffs along both shorelines of the lakes. These give way to heavily forested mountain sides that rise rapidly to elevations averaging 2,500 metres on the west and 2,700 metres on the east.

Water-oriented activities dominate the scene and angling for kokanee, Dolly Varden and rainbow trout is a popular pastime.

Location notes

Highway 6 traffic crosses the lake by ferry between Fauqier and Needles and Highway 23 traffic by ferry between Galena Bay and Shelter Bay where the park is located. Click here to view the Ferry information.

Activities

  • 308:Canoeing There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
  • 308:Swimming The park has a picturesque swimming beach along the shores of Upper Arrow Lake. The water temperature is cool and refreshing. 
  • 308:Fishing
  • 308: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.
  • 308: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 Arrow Lakes 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.
  • 308:Horseback riding Horse and horseback riding opportunities in this park.

Facilities

  • 308:Picnic areas This park has a day-use and picnic area.
  • 308:Pit or flush toilets This park only has pit toilets.
  • 308:Drinking water Drinking water will not be available at the Shelter Bay campground for the foreseeable future. Free water and a $5 sani-dump is available at Blanket Creek Park, 15 minutes North of Shelter Bay. If water is needed for washing purposes, visitors may want to bring a small container to carry water from the lake.
  • 308:Boat launch The park has a concrete boat launch with a breakwater and has a large, gravel vehicle and boat trailer parking area. Boat trailers can be parked overnight in this lot. Overnight, boats are sometimes left in the water in a partially sheltered lagoon due to high water in July and August.
  • 308:Campfires 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.To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t 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.
  • 308:Accessibility information Accessibility information is available for this park.

Location

50.63841, -117.92567 · Arrow

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Photos