Pennask Lake Provincial Park is a remote backcountry park. The park is 603 acres (244 ha) in size and is at an elevation of 4757 feet (1450 meters). Pennask Lake was established as a provincial park in January 1975. The park is covered by forests of pine, spruce, as well as many different types of shrubs. The large Pennask Lake is a beautiful sight to see, with trees surrounding the shoreline and its many bays.
Take out your canoe or kayak and explore the lake’s bays. The wind can pick up quickly, so be prepared to take shelter in one of the bays if need be. Fishing is a popular activity at the park and Pennask Lake is known for its rainbow trout population. Anglers likely will not leave the park disappointed. After a day out on the lake, head over to your campsite and relax around a small campfire.
There are 25 rugged campsites at Pennask Lake. There are no hookups or water drinking water at the park. These campsites are not reservable and are available on a first-come, first served basis only. The road into the park is rough and requires a four-wheel drive vehicle. The road is not suitable for most RVs and trailers. The park is open year-round. Be sure to check the weather prior to your drive out because the road into the park can quickly become hazardous.
The remote Pennask Lake Provincial Park is located 31 miles (50 km) northwest of Peachland. Though 31 miles may not seem far, the campground is about 11 miles (18 km) off of the main highway on forest service roads.
These roads aren’t suitable for most RVs and trailers. The roads are rough and the final 4 miles (6 km) require a four-wheel drive vehicle. It takes about an hour to drive this final 4-mile stretch. The road into the park becomes even more treacherous after heavy rainfall or if visiting early in the season. Two to three foot deep puddles may be present. These puddles can extend as far as 40 feet in length.
Due to the long drive down rough, remote roads, be sure to have plenty of gas and other supplies before leaving town. Though camping is open year-round, the road into the park may be extremely difficult to navigate or not passable. Check weather and road conditions before your trip.
Pennask Lake Provincial Park has 25 campsites which are open year-round. Some of these sites may be difficult to spot due to sporadic use. These campsites are user maintained, meaning campers should pack out all trash and belongings upon departure. There are no hookups or drinking water at the camping area. The park does not have a restroom.
Most of the campsites have fire rings. Small campfires are permitted as long as there isn’t a ban in place. Check fire bans prior to your trip. Leashed pets are permitted, so feel free to bring your pet along to enjoy the adventure. Pets must be kept under control at all times.
Pennask Lake is known for its rainbow trout population. It is valuable to the province’s restocking program with 3-5 million rainbow trout eggs produced each year. Anglers can plan for a great fishing experience during their visit to their park. Find a spot to fish from the banks of a lake or take your boat further out onto the lake to cast your line. A fishing license is required to fish on all British Columbia lakes.
There is a rough boat launch at the park, making it easy to drop your canoe, kayak, or other car-top boat into the lake. The road into the park is much too rough for boat trailers. Explore the shoreline or head out further onto the lake for trout fishing. Weather conditions can change quickly and it can become quite windy. If caught out on the lake during a wind storm, take shelter in one the many bays on the lake.
On a warm day, take a refreshing dip in the expansive Pennask Lake. Bring along a floaty to drift along the shoreline or simply take a swim. Find a spot along the shore to picnic and make a day of it. There are no lifeguards on duty at this provincial park, so take precautions when swimming.
Cycling is permitted at the provincial park, but cyclists must stay on the roads only. Bring your mountain bike along on your trip to explore the rough park roads. Keep in mind that the road can become treacherous with deep puddles after heavy rainfall. It is mandatory to wear a helmet in British Columbia.
Campfires are permitted at the park unless a ban is in place. There are fire rings located at most of the 25 campsites. No need to bring your own wood. The forest has many fallen and dry beetle-killed trees. Do not cut down any standing trees for firewood. Be sure to check burn bans before your visit to the park.
The geology of Pennask Lake Provincial Park is worth taking time to explore. At the low lying area at the southern end of the park, you’ll find a wet landscape with a thick forest of spruce trees and other vegetation. At the opposite end, you’ll find traces of the last ice age. To the east is forests of spruce and pine on an upland.
