The best camping near Lac La Hache Provincial Park

This part of the South Cariboos once welcomed ranchers, fur traders, and prospectors who came through on the wagon road that runs through the park. Now, Lac La Hache is simply a fantastic place to relax. Stroll the two-kilometre Wagon Road Self-Guided Nature Walk to enjoy the fir forest and learn about gold rush history from the interpretive panels. Then, head to the long, calm lake to fish for burbot, lake, and rainbow trout, or just soak up the sun on the broad, sandy beach.

1. Far from the big cities, this part of BC still gets busy in the middle of summer, especially with campers coming up from Kamloops on Canadian holiday weekends. There’s also a considerable amount of through-traffic on the Cariboo Highway, the main route used to reach the famed Alaska Highway, so be prepared to book well ahead of time during peak times.
2. Reservations can be made up to two months in advance, and of the 83 sites, all but 31 are available on a first-come, first-served basis. And if you really love it here, a number of sites can be booked on a long-stay basis.

Both the park and its campground open from the middle of May until the end of September. You can expect tons of sunshine at any time, with this part of BC sitting in the rain shadow of the coastal mountains. Daytime highs in July and August reach the mid-20s, and the lake warms as summer progresses. Evenings, even in July, can be brisk, with overnight temperatures dropping to around 50°F (10°C). May and September are far chillier.

• You’ll find grocery, hardware, laundry, and basic camping supplies in nearby Williams Lake.
• If you’re looking to drop a line, make sure you have a valid provincial fishing license, which can be purchased at most fishing supply stores.
• As the story goes, the park’s very Francais name came from a trapper who lost the head of his only hatchet while opening a hole in the lake’s ice (it means “lake of the axe”).