Looking to escape the crowds and still have a relaxing lakeside RV holiday? If so, look no further than Inland Lake Provincial Park. Located on the the southeast side of Powell Lake, Inland Lake Provincial Park was first established in 1997 and was formerly a Forest Service Recreation area.
The park was first known for the eight mile (13km) wheelchair accessible trail that allows those with disabilities to explore the area around Inland Lake. After many years the trail needed repairs so The Model Community Project for People with Disabilities organized a two year effort to improve the trail and facilities at Inland Lake Provincial Park.
The park is now in a Shared Stewardship Agreement with the Model Community and BC Parks with over $250,000 of funds raised to support the park improvements. These improvements have led to repairs to amenities and the park is now up to date and a fantastic place to visit!
If you are a looking for recreational activities they are aplenty at Inland Lake Provincial Park. The lake provides a great location to boat, fish and swim and you can also enjoy the boardwalk (which is also available to bicycle riders) and do some wildlife viewing at the park.
Inland Lake Provincial Park has 22 vehicle accessible campsites for you to call home during your stay. Out of these 22 there are no double or pull-through sites available and all sites are primitive. Peak season at Inland Lake Provincial Park runs from May until September.
Inland Lake Provincial Park is located in south-western British Columbia and is situated around eight miles north of Powell River. The park has one entry and exit point and the road that is accessed by taking Haslem Street north from Powell River.
While the park is close to the town of Powell River there are no major cities under a four hour drive from the park. Because of this we recommend that if you need to access any services, amenities or stock up on supplies you should do so on the way to the park. Most of the other towns near the park will require you to take a ferry to Vancouver Island in order to access them, which means that the time it takes to get to them is a lot longer than usual. The closest city to the park is Vancouver, which is around 112 miles to the east of the park.
Once you make it to Powell Lake and start to drive north you should be able to access the park with no problem at all. Despite this, be aware that you are in a remote area and make sure you take all precautions that you normally would when traveling in the wilderness. All roads in and around the park are in very good condition and should have no obstructions that would make your journey difficult. During the winter the campground is closed and the park may not be open, so if you do plan on visiting the park during winter make sure you call the park in advance to confirm that you will have road access as snowfall levels can be high.
There is plenty of parking available at Inland Lake Provincial Park.
Inland Lake Campground is the only campground at the park that visitors are able to stay at during their stay. In total there are 22 vehicle accessible campsites but none of the sites are doubles or allow you to pull-through. The campground is situated in a nice location that is covered under a canopy of trees. When you arrive to the campground there is no gatehouse or locked gate and each site will only have room for one vehicle. If you need extra parking it is available for a fee.
The campground is quite rustic and does not have any power or water hookups available. There are also no flushing toilets but there are pit toilets. There is no pay phone in the park and the closest store is in Powell River. Each site comes equipped with a fire ring, picnic table and pets are also allowed. You are able to bring your own firewood or you can buy some at the campground for a fee.
Reservations and first come, first served sites are available. If no staff are at the park to help you find a site, find an unoccupied site that has no camping receipt posted and the host will come and collect your fee in the evening. Camping at Inland Lake Campground is open from mid-May until mid-September.
Cooling off in the waters of Inland Lake has been a very popular pastime for those visiting the park during the summer time. Swimming is permitted in any area of the lake, however be aware that there is no designated or roped-off swimming area and you will also find no lifeguards on duty at the park. Despite this the water temperature should be quite warm during your stay if you are visiting during the summer.
Once you are done in the water you should check out what you can do on top of it! Boating is allowed on Inland Lake with motorboats permitted up to 10 horsepower. The lake isn't usually too busy with boats but canoeing and kayaking are very popular activities for people of all ages. If you don't have your own watercraft you can rent some from the town of Powell River as there are no rentals available within the park.
Another great activity to do during the warmer months at Inland Provincial Park is to have a picnic. There is a specially designed and marked day-use/picnic area that you are permitted to use during your visit to the park that features eight picnic tables and rest areas. Please note that no other facilities are provided in the picnic area so if you need to use the restroom you will need to go to the campground pit toilets. Campfires must also only be lit within the fire rings at the park.
There are no public transport options that will take you to Inland Lake Provincial Park.
If you love to fish then visiting the park during the off season is a great choice. The most popular type of fishing at Inland Lake is trout fishing and it is believed to be best right around April 1st. The park has a strict catch and release policy so if you do catch a big one remember that you have to let it go back its home. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence before you can cast a line out.
One of the most popular activities to do at Inland Lake Provincial Park is to check out the eight mile wheelchair accessible circuit. The trail offers visitors many different access points to the lake, as well as pit toilets that are well spaced along the route. The trail surface consist of crushed limestone and some elevated board walks and bridges so it is suitable for anyone to enjoy. Remember that you must obey posted signs and keep to designated trails in order to preserve the park for those in the future.
The wheelchair accessible circuit that surrounds Inland Lake is also great for those who love to bike ride. The grade of the trail is mostly flat with minimal inclines so the ride will be easy and suitable for people of all ages. If you don't have your own bike please note that there are none for rent at the park so you will need to hire one when you are passing through the town of Powell Lake. Remember to stay on the trail when riding so you don't damage any flora or fauna that calls the park home.
