Carp Lake Park
About this Park
Long famous for its rainbow trout, Carp Lake Park offers some of the best fishing in the Central Interior. It is located two hours north of Prince George, nearly in the exact centre of the province.
The park includes Carp Lake, War Lake, numerous smaller lakes and streams, and the eight kilometre waterway that connects Carp and War Lakes and forms the beginning of the McLeod River. The northern shoreline of Carp Lake has extensive sandy beaches which contrasts the spruce-forested south shore.
Two popular campgrounds offer a total of 102 fully maintained campsites. The main Carp Lake campground has a picnic shelter, horseshoe pits and an adventure playground to keep the kids busy. Carp Lake Park is rarely full, except on long weekends. A short walk from the park’s second primary campground at War Lake brings visitors to War Falls, a spectacular cascade of water that comprises two distinct waterfalls separated by about 100 metres of rushing water.
Although the park has the aforementioned “family” amenities, most of Carp Lake’s visitors are interested primarily in angling and water-oriented activities in a wilderness setting. The lake, with its many islands, bays and coves, lends itself to exploration by boat or canoe. Boaters and canoeists can choose among three island marine-accessible campsites that offer secluded camping after a day spent exploring and fishing the lake’s many bays and isolated stretches of shoreline.
Developments in the park are rudimentary, and only those who are completely self-sufficient should plan on visiting. Other than water and firewood there are no supplies of any kind, and the nearest settlement, McLeod Lake, is 32km to the northeast.
Portions of the original Indigenous route to Fort McLeod have been developed into an exciting interpretive loop trail that departs from the main campground. This 3km hike also provides access to Rainbow Lake and fine fly fishing on the McLeod River. Interpretive trail signs are located along the trail to first beach, McLeod River Trail and the War Falls Trail. These signs provide interesting information about the plants, animals and history of Carp Lake Park.
Safety information
Boating
Power boating and canoeing are enjoyable and popular pastimes at Carp Lake, provided reasonable care is practiced.
- The lake is subject to high winds and consequent rough waters that can be responsible for swamping the unwary. Watch the weather and always wear your lifejacket.
- Powerboat operators are requested to please reduce speed in Kettle Bay to prevent damage to boats and equipment and to reduce erosion of the lakeshore.
Travel
Travelling on forest roads is somewhat different from travelling on public highways. For your own safety, drive with extreme caution at all times.
- Obey all road signs.
- Give logging and industrial traffic the right-of-way by moving to the nearest turnout or pulling off the travelled right-of-way as far as possible.
- Allow overtaking traffic to pass.
- Drive with lights on – especially under dusty conditions – to make yourself more visible.
- Park well off the travelled portion of the road if you must stop along the way.
Weather
The weather pattern at Carp Lake is fairly typical of the north central region of the province. Summers are short and relatively cool, with July temperatures averaging 12 to 18°C. Evenings may see dramatic temperature drops. Winter comes early and blankets the area with snow. January temperatures usually hover between -12°C and -18°C. Annual precipitation is about 50cm, of which about 40% is in the form of snow.
Carp Lake Park is relatively isolated and supplies nothing but water and firewood. The nearest supplies are 32 kilometres away in the community of McLeod Lake.
Special notes
Dogs are not allowed in Bert’s Cabin at any time.
Location notes
Carp Lake Park is two hours drive northwest of Prince George. The main access road to the park joins Highway 97 (the John Hart Highway) at the community of McLeod Lake, 141km north of Prince George. It is 32km from McLeod Lake to the Carp Lake campground. This gravel road is single lane over part of its length, and has some rough surfaces and tight corners. The road may not be suitable for cars or trailers during the spring break-up period. Some portions of the road must be shared with industrial traffic. The closest communities, towns and cities are Prince George, Bear Lake, McLeod Lake and MacKenzie.
Activities
- 251:Hiking A loop trail connects the campground with Rainbow Lake and with McLeod River, providing access to fly fishing sites. There are interpretive signs on this trail, providing information on local features. There is also a trail between Drumlin Bay and Dace Lake that can only be accessed by boat. Near the eastern entrance to the park a short trail leads to magnificent War Falls. 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.Trail Map [PDF]
- 251:Canoeing Canoeing and kayaking are very popular at this park. The islands offer backcountry camping and you can register at the boat launch at Carp Lake. The lake is subject to high winds and rough waters that can be responsible for swamping. Watch the weather and always wear lifejackets.
- 251:Swimming There are two sandy beaches at this park. One is a 20 minute hike and the other is a 40 minute hike from the Carp Lake campground.
- 251:Fishing Angling is the single most popular activity in the park, which is considered one of the very best fishing sites in the Central Interior. The 6,000 hectare lake was first acclaimed for its prime fishing potential nearly two centuries ago, by explorer Simon Fraser. The Carp Lake fishery depends solely on natural reproduction. There is no stocking program. With increasing demand on the fishery, the catch and release program is encouraged. Using lures and flies, rather than bait, is just as successful for catching rainbow trout and is less harmful to the fish. Anglers come from near and far to try their luck with fly or spinner for the lake’s succulent rainbow trout. The watershed above War Falls has isolated six fish species from the Peace River drainage. Rainbow trout averaging 500 grams and burbot are regularly caught by anglers. Northern Pikeminnow, two species of suckers and redside shiners can be found in park waters. There is also a short loop trail that connects Carp Lake Campground with the McLeod River, providing access to fly fishing sites. Carp Lake is popular for ice fishing as long as you have a snowmobile to travel to this lake. The main gate is left open during the winter months. There are no services but camping is possible under the picnic shelter. It has a large wood stove.
- 251:Wildlife viewing There are no viewing platforms in this park but there are bridges over wet areas with interpretive signs highlighting special features and items of interest, particular to the park. Abundant wildlife inhabits the park. Larger mammals such as black bears and deer are often seen. Moose frequently forage in the marshy areas about the lake and from time to time may be seen swimming to or from the islands. Waterfowl are prevalent during migratory and nesting periods. The haunting cry of the loon often echoes over the lake.War Falls on the McLeod River, just downstream from the outlet of War Lake, are a scenic attraction easily accessible from the access road. The falls are comprised of two cascades separated by about 100 metres of rushing, white water. The upper falls are close to six metres in height and the lower falls are approximately 12 metres high.
- 251: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 behavior and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.Please note that dogs are not permitted in Bert’s Cabin at any time.
- 251:Cycling Bicycles must keep to roadways.Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Carp 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.
- 251: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.
- 251:Winter recreation There is the possibility of back-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter camping in the park. There are no services but camping is possible under the picnic shelter which has a large wood stove. In Prince George and Mackenzie, organized clubs have groomed a network of trails. Snowmobiling is allowed in the park and most visitors come to ice fish or sight see; remain on roads that are not plowed and snowmobile on the lakes. There are organized snowmobile clubs in Prince George and Mackenzie. Carp Lake is popular for ice fishing as long as you have a snowmobile to travel to this lake; the main gate is left open during the winter months.
- 251:Kayaking Canoeing and kayaking are very popular at this park. The islands offer backcountry camping and you can register at the boat launch at Carp Lake. The lake is subject to high winds and rough waters that can be responsible for swamping. Watch the weather and always wear lifejackets.
Facilities
- 251:Picnic areas There is a day-use area with picnic tables and a parking area. There is also a large picnic shelter with a wood stove.
- 251:Pit or flush toilets There are 13 pit toilets, no flush toilets.
- 251:Drinking water Cold water taps are located throughout the park. Taps are shut off during the off-season. There are also hand-pumps available in the park.
- 251:Playground There is a playground and horseshoe pitches at the Carp Lake campground.
- 251:Boat launch There is a double concrete boat launch at the Carp Lake campground that is capable of handling standard boat trailers, but caution should be exercised. After launching, trailers and towing vehicles must be returned to the campground or parking lot before going boating. There is a gravel car-top boat launch at War Lake. The lake is subject to high winds and rough waters which can be responsible for swamping. Watch the weather and always wear your lifejacket. Powerboat operators are requested to please reduce speed in Kettle Bay to prevent damage to boats and equipment and to reduce erosion of the lakeshore.The launching of personal watercraft or boats with above-water unmuffled exhausts is not permitted in Carp Lake Park.
- 251:Sani-station During the collecting season a sani-station and dump is available at the Carp Lake campground.Sani-station use fee: $5 per discharge
- 251: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. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. 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.
- 251:Accessibility information Accessibility information is available for Carp Lake Park and for War Lake Campground.
Location
54.72096, -123.44709 · Omineca
