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Camping

Nothing like a night out camping under the stars? Pick from four provincial parks, recreations sites, or check into a private campground to enjoy all the amenities. Pair your camping trip with a hike, bike, paddle, or beach day to make it the ultimate outdoor getaway.

Provincial Parks

BC Parks is responsible for a system of ecological reserves, provincial parks, conservancies, protected areas and recreation areas located throughout BC. A variety of amenities are available in each of these areas. Some are day use only, others offer overnight camping. Arrow Slocan is home to four provincial parks:

  • Rosebery
  • Summit Lake
  • McDonald Creek
  • Valhalla

A complete description of the parks, camping options, amenities and fees is available on the BC Parks website.

Reservations for camping are highly recommended. Fees vary between $20 and $35 per night. For reservations contact Discover Camping at 1-800-689-9025 or book online.

Rosebery Provincial Park

On the banks of Wilson Creek, this park offers secluded camping. Rosebery Provincial Park is an ideal staging area for exploration of nearby Valhalla, Kokanee Glacier and Goat Range Provincial Parks. The campground has 33 vehicle accessible camping sites. There is a day use parking lot, picnic area with shelter and beach access.

Park Location/Nearest Community
5 km north of New Denver or 40 km south of Nakusp.

Operating Dates
May 1 to September 15 (gate closed during off-season)

Summit Lake Provincial Park

Located on a peninsula at Summit Lake. The park is a destination for avid fishers and families seeking a tranquil park setting on a beautiful lake. Park visitors enjoy canoeing, fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout or swimming in the lake’s clear, refreshing mountain water. The campground has 34 vehicle accessible camping sites.

Park Location
18 km south east of Nakusp or 26 north of New Denver on Highway 6.

Operating Dates
May 11 to September 27 (gate closed in off-season). From June 23rd to September 3rd, all of the camping sites in McDonald Creek Campground are reservable.

McDonald Creek Provincial Park

A holiday destination for swimming, water sports and fishing opportunities. It features several kilometres of fine sandy beach, waterfront camping sites and open grassy meadows. A boat launch is available when water is high enough. There are 73 vehicle-accessible camping sites. A day-use/picnic area has picnic tables. A paid use sani-dump station is available.

Park Location/Nearest Community
On the east and west shores of the Upper Arrow Lake, 10 km south of Nakusp on Highway 6.

Operating Dates
May 1 to September 30 (gate closed in off-season but is accessible for walk in day use)

Valhalla Provincial Park

This park was created to protect the diverse topography, majestic peaks and unique vegetation typical of the Selkirk Mountains. There are opportunities for a number of recreational activities including hiking, paddling and wildlife viewing.

Campsites are open year-round and available on a first-come, first-served basis. No services are provided at the marine sites. Pit toilets are available at Gwillim, Wicca, Drinnon, Emerald and Cahill Lakes. Designated campfire pits are provided at established Slocan Lakeshore sites. Drinnon, Wicca and Gwillim lakes campgrounds have cooking areas but campfires are not allowed.

  • Camping is restricted to designated sites along established trails and on Slocan Lake beaches.
  • Currently Evans Lake Cabin, Cove Creek Cabin, Evans Beach Shelter and Iron Creek Shelter serve as public shelters and offer accommodation in each for a maximum of four persons.
  • Pets are only allowed on the Slocan lakefront sites, the Slocan to Evans Beach Trail and the trail to Cahill and Beatrice lakes. They must be leashed at all times. Pets are not allowed in any other backcountry areas of the park.

Park Location/Nearest Community
The park is located on the west shore of Slocan Lake and encompasses most of the Valhalla Range of the Selkirk Mountains. The park can be accessed by water, forest industrial roads or by trail.

Operating Dates
Year around

Recreation Sites

Arrow Slocan is home to a number of recreation sites that provide a rustic camping experience. These areas are typically unmaintained. It is the responsibility of the users to keep these camping locations pristine and to share equitably with other users – no long term users or parties. Located in remote areas and accessed by gravel forestry roads, recreation sites provide basic facilities, such as fire-rings, picnic tables and outhouses. Potable water and electricity are not provided.

A complete list of the regional recreation sites and other information.

Mt Abriel Recreation Site

Located on the shores on Upper Arrow lake just north of Nakusp BC. The campsite is connected to a network of adaptive and regular mountain biking trails managed by the Nakusp and Area Bike Society. A site host is hired to manage the Mt. Abriel Recreation Site. There are 26 campsites available for tent and trailer camping. There is some beach access and a day use area. Facilities include pit toilets, picnic tables, fire rings.

Park Location/Nearest Community
From Nakusp Drive approximately 8 km North on HWY 23, the turnoff to the campsite is on the left. A short drive down Turner Road leads to the campsite.

Operating Dates
Year round when accessible, with fees May 1st to October 15th

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee
$15/night ($7.50 seniors)

Campfires

  • No campfires anywhere in any park outside of the campfire rings provided. Campfire bans may be implemented.
  • Visitors are encouraged to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using camp stoves instead.
  • To preserve vegetation and ground cover, don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticket-able offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element.

Camping Supplies

Silverton Building Supplies has everything from camping and fishing equipment to BBQ supplies such as ice, propane, snacks and beverages.
Phone: 250-358-2293

Valhalla Pure Outfitters is open seasonally in summer to offer camping, hiking, paddling and other outdoor clothing and gear.
Ph: 250-358-7755