Sitting in the heart of the Cascade Mountains is E. C. Manning Provincial Park, a premier outdoor recreation and RV camping destination that has something for everyone! Located midway between Hope and Princeton, British Columbia, and bisected by Highway 3, this 837 sq. km (323 sq. mile) provincial park features diverse landscapes, various scenic and historic flora and fauna, as well as interesting recreational activities for RV campers.
Activities to enjoy on RV holiday at E. C. Manning Provincial Park include hiking, swimming, canoeing, fishing, wildlife viewing, birding, horseback riding, hunting, ski-touring, snowshoeing, as well as groomed cross-country skiing. Facilities and amenities available at the park include RV campsites, picnic/day use area, pit or flush toilets, restrooms and showers, drinking water station, playgrounds, boat launch, campfire sites, cabins, and dump stations.
Established in 1941, this provincial park was named in memory of Ernest C. Manning, the Chief Forester of British Columbia between 1936 - 1941. E. C. Manning Provincial Park is the traditional territory of the Upper Similkameen band and the Sto:Lo Indian Band.
E. C. Manning Provincial Park does not have cell service, and the closest public phones are located along Highway 3 at Manning Park Resort.
Located midway between Hope and Princeton, British Columbia, and bisected by Highway 3, E. C. Manning Provincial Park is an easy-to-access park, since it is a simple drive-in park for RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles. Local paved roads and loose surface roads connect the different parts of the park. There are no driving restrictions within the park.
RV campers have numerous parking options for their RVS, trailers, and cars in E. C. Manning Provincial Park with the more than 20 parking areas available in the park, and distributed across the entire park. You’ll find parking areas around the campgrounds, trails, day use areas etc.
There are no public transportation services to E. C. Manning Provincial Park, however, the Greyhound bus has scheduled passenger pickup at Manning Park Lodge.
Lightning Campground in E. C. Manning Provincial Park features 143 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. There are no RV hookups in the campground. RV length limit at the campground is 32 feet (10 m), however RV vacationers with larger rigs can call the park ahead to find out if space is available. Amenities at the campground include entrance kiosk, water and garbage stations, water taps, amphitheater, parking lot, Information Center, firewood, and access to trailheads. Generator hours are 9am – 11am and 6pm – 8pm. Quiet hours are 10pm to 7am.
All the campsites in the campground are reservable.
Mule Deer Campground in E. C. Manning Provincial Park features 49 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. There are no RV hookups in the campground. RV length limit at the campground is 32 feet (10 m), however RV vacationers with larger rigs can call the park ahead to find out if space is available. Amenities at the campground include playground, garbage stations, pit or flush toilets, Information Center, and water taps. Generator hours are 9am – 11am and 6pm – 8pm. Quiet hours are 10pm to 7am.
21 campsites in the campground are reservable, while 28 campsites are available on first-come first-served basis.
Coldspring Campground in E. C. Manning Provincial Park features 66 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. There are no RV hookups in the campground. RV length limit at the campground is 32 feet (10 m), however RV vacationers with larger rigs can call the park ahead to find out if space is available. Amenities at the campground include water taps, pit or flush toilets, garbage stations, and Information Center. Generator hours are 9am – 11am and 6pm – 8pm. Quiet hours are 10pm to 7am.
30 campsites in the campground are reservable, while 36 campsites are available on first-come first-served basis.
Hunting is allowed in a designated area in E. C. Manning Provincial Park for RV campers to enjoy hunting for game. This area, which is the former Cascade Recreation Area, is open to bow and crossbow hunting, as well as discharge of firearms. Hunting is only allowed in the park during lawful game hunting season.
E. C. Manning Provincial Park features engaging programs and events for RV campers to appreciate the beauty and history of the park. These programs include interpretive nature walks, Lightning Lake Lantern Festival, Jerry’s Rangers programs, Guest Speaker Series, and many more.
Equestrians enjoy horseback riding in E. C. Manning Provincial Park on designated trails in the park. The trails available to RV campers to enjoy horseback riding include Monument 83, Dewdney, Windy Joe, Similkameen East and West, North Gibson. Also, horse camps are available in the park.
Hampton Campground in E. C. Manning Provincial Park features 100 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. There are no RV hookups in the campground. RV length limit at the campground is 32 feet (10 m), however RV vacationers with larger rigs can call the park ahead to find out if space is available. Amenities at the campground include garbage stations, restroom with showers, pit or flush toilets, and water taps. Generator hours are 9am – 11am and 6pm – 8pm. Quiet hours are 10pm to 7am.
88 campsites in the campground are reservable, while 22 campsites are available on first-come first-served basis.
Rainbow trout fishing opportunities are available in the Lightning Lakes chain in E. C. Manning Provincial Park. RV campers that possess advanced hiking skills also visit Nicomen Lake and Poland Lake in the park for more rainbow trout fishing. All motorized boats are not allowed on any lake in the park, whether for fishing or not. Furthermore, all campers that wish to fish in E. C. Manning Provincial Park are required to possess an appropriate fishing licence.
Excellent opportunities for wildlife observation for RV campers abound at E. C. Manning Provincial Park. The park features animal life such as chipmunks, beaver, squirrels, marmots, coyotes, muskrat, pika, deer, bear, moose and the cat family. Locations where campers sight the wildlife in the park include Lightning Lake day-use area, Beaver Pond, Rein Orchid, and the Similkameen Trail.
In addition to the 63 species of mammals in E. C. Manning Provincial Park, there are 206 species of birds in the park.
E. C. Manning Provincial Park has many hiking trails that vary in difficulty from easy to strenuous and range from short walks to a six-day hike. Some of the trails in the park have historic significance, featuring remains of ranches, mining shafts, trapping cabins, Buckhorn mining camp, as well the historic fire lookout buildings at Windy Joe and Monument 83. These historic trails include Whatcom Trail, Dewdney Trail, Engineers Road, Hope Pass, Skyline Trail and the popular Blackeye’s Trail. All the various trails in the park offer campers and hiker different thrills and memorable experiences.
