The best camping near EC Manning Provincial Park

Set in the heart of the Cascades, EC Manning Provincial Park encompasses 83,671 hectares of forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes, as well as a ski resort. Trails range from easy day hikes to multi-day backpacking trails, including a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Renowned for alpine wildflowers, the park starts to see blooms in early spring with a peak in late July. A range of summer activities, guided hikes, and events draw campers to over 400 campsites divided between four drive-in, 10 hike-in, one ride-in, and three group campgrounds. Basic services include pit toilets and hand pumps for water. EC Manning Provincial Park is the traditional territory of the Upper Similkameen and the Sto:Lo Nations.

• Best for families: Lightning Lake Campground has showers, flush toilets, and a playground, plus boat rentals and amphitheatre programs.
• Best for wildflowers: Poland Lake Campground is near an eight-kilometre hike through fields of wildflowers to a serene mountain lake.
• Best for groups: The Lone Duck group site offers private space for 15 or more campers, as well as a shelter with picnic tables and a wood stove. 

1. Reservations are available through BC Parks’ Discover Camping website for dates between May 15 and September.
2. Lightning Lake Campground is 100% reservable in advance, while Coldspring and Mule Deer campgrounds are about 50% reservable and 50% first-come, first-served. Hampton Campground is 80% reservable.
3. Try to secure any weekend or holiday spots as far in advance as possible using the online booking system.
4. Backcountry sites require permits purchased in advance.

EC Manning Provincial Park is open for camping year-round, though only limited drive-in camping is available outside of the summer season (mid-May to October). Much of the park is in the alpine, meaning there can be snow through June. Think about booking a stay between mid-June and late-July for the best wildflowers (though this will also be the busiest time in the park).

• Manning Park runs a wide range of visitor programs including interpretive walks, the Jerry’s Rangers program for kids; evening amphitheatre entertainment, and a guest speakers series.
• Manning Park Resort offers basic shopping and restaurants.
• Campers should be fairly self-sufficient, as the centre of the park is located 68 kilometres east of Hope and 68 kilometres west of Princeton.
• Mobile phone service is intermittent in the park.
• There are some barrier-free toilets and trails at Lightning Lake Campground.