One Island Lake Provincial Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Located on the Alberta Plateau near the British Columbia/Alberta border, One Island Lake Provincial Park is the perfect place to kick back, relax and have a peaceful RV getaway. One Island Lake Provincial Park is a small park that is made up of just 150 acres (0.61sqkm) on the shoreline of One Island Lake. The park is a representation of the Kiskatinaw Plateau ecosection and the boreal white and black spruce biogeoclimatic zone covers the whole of the park. The small forests in and around the park are comprised of mostly lodgepole pine and black and white spruce.
Since the park is quite small most of the recreational activities revolve around One Island Lake. The clear lake is known for being a fantastic fishing destination and the lake has been stocked with brook and rainbow trout since 1963. There are plenty of other sport fish that call the lake home too, including bull trout, northern pike and wetslope cutthroat trout. The lake is also perfect for swimming during the summer months and is great for boating.
One Island Lake Provincial Park is also a great spot for RV campers looking to enjoy some peace and quiet. There are a total of 36 RV friendly campsites that are located on the east side of the lake. All sites are primitive but they do feature a picnic table and firepit. Out of these 36 a good number of campsites also back onto the lake so you have the possibility of some great views. One Island Lake Provincial Park is open year-round and peak season runs from May until September.
RV Rentals in One Island Lake Provincial Park
Transportation
Driving
One Island Lake Provincial Park is located in the eastern region of British Columbia and is situated near the border of British Columbia and Alberta. The park has one entry and exit point that passes through the park and continues to halfway around the lake.
One of the great things about the park is that you are quite far from civilization, however this can also be a problem if you are needing supplies and amenities. Because of this we recommend that you stock up on supplies and visit services before making your way to the park. There are no towns within a 30 minute drive to the park but there are some around an hour away, including Hythe (around 42 miles or 69kms away) and Tumbler Ridge (around 47 miles or 72kms). The closest city to the park is Dawson Creek, which is around around 44 miles or 72kms away.
Accessing the park should be very straightforward if the road into the park well maintained. Sometimes the road is not, so we recommend calling through to the park to see what condition the road is in if you have a larger RV. the roads in and around the park are relatively flat, very well maintained and there are no known no obstacles. During the winter the park stays open but due to snow the road into the park may be closed. If you are planning on visiting during the winter make sure you call the park prior to your trip.
Parking
There is plenty of parking available at One Island Lake Provincial Park.
Public Transportation
There are no public transport options that will take you to One Island Lake Provincial Park.
Campgrounds and parking in One Island Lake Provincial Park
Campsites in One Island Lake Provincial Park
First-come first-served
One Island Lake Campground
One Island Lake Campground offers RV lovers the chance to stay in both lakeside and forested sites during their visit to the park. There are 36 RV-friendly sites available for use, which includes some that are located opposite to the playground. The sites are quite large and feature a fire ring and picnic table. All sites at One Island Lake Campground are primitive with no electric, water or sewer hookups available.
Since the campground is in such a remote location it's no surprise to find that the campground is quite basic. There are no flushing toilets or showers. However, there are pit toilets located near the entrance of the campground. Please note that there is no dump station and hot water is also not available. Firewood is available for sale at the park or you are able to bring your own.
All sites at One Island Lake Provincial Park are available on a first come, first served basis and there are no reservations allowed. We recommend calling the park office if you are heading to the campground during a summer weekend to make sure that there are sites available.
Seasonal activities in One Island Lake Provincial Park
In-Season
Swimming
There is no better way to spend a hot summer day than by cooling off at the park by going for a swim in the pristine waters of One Island Lake. The lake has multiple places available for you to go and take a dip and swimming is not restricted to a specific area of the lake. Please note that there are no marked depth areas so be cautious when wading out to go swimming. There are also no lifeguards at the park so swim to your abilities.
Boating
Once you have finished having fun in the water you have the chance to explore on top of the lake if you are a fan of boating. If you want to take a boat onto the lake there is a boat ramp located near the main entrance to the park that is available for you to use. Common boating activities on the lake range from canoeing, waterskiing, windsurfing and scuba diving. If you don't have your own watercraft please note that there are none available for rent from the park.
Picnicking
After you have had your fun in or on the lake, a popular activity to do during the summer months is to have a relaxing afternoon picnic at the One Island Lake Provincial Park day use area. Within the day use area you will find amenities such as picnic tables, water collection points and a small playground that is great for the little ones. The picnic area is available for anyone to use and is on a first come, first served basis.
Off-Season
Fishing
The main attraction to those seeking recreational activities at One Island Lake Provincial Park is to cast out a fishing line and try to catch the big one. The lake is known to fisherman as an angling jewel due to the large fish that are often caught in the lake. The lake is stocked annually with rainbow and brook trout and in 2017 the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC stocked the lake with an additional 5,000 rainbow trout and 5,000 brook trout. Before casting a line remember that you need to have a relevant license to fish within British Columbia.
Wildlife Viewing
While you are enjoying your stay at the park we recommend that you keep an eye out for the locals that call the park home. You will have the chance to do some birdwatching as many migrant waterbirds make their way south before the weather gets too cold. Also keep a lookout for some of the larger mammals, including deer, black bears and coyotes. For more information on local wildlife you can contact the park office.
Winter Recreation
During the colder months at One Island Lake Provincial Park the area transforms into a winter wonderland. Many visitors flock to the park to participate in winter recreational activities, which include cross country skiing, snowshoeing and skating on One Island Lake. Due to the small size of the park, lack of staff and the limited amenities please be aware that there are no rentals and the ice thickness level of the lake is not monitored.
