Tweedsmuir Park: Turner Lake Canoe Circuit

The chain of lakes forms a J shape, heading south then veering westward. Turner Lake is the longest at 5 km, and has high mountains only on one side. As you paddle up the creek and lake chain, the view shifts with successively higher and sharper peaks visible. The other three large lakes are Junker, Widgeon and Kidney Lakes. These, as well as Turner Lake are subject to strong winds, channelled by the mountains. The energetic can top off the trip with a hike to Sunshine Lake.

Portages are short, well marked, and supplied with canoe rests. They are not maintained to a standard for canoe carts, however. Always use the portages where provided. Lining canoes is not allowed because it disturbs the gravel creek bed, essential to spawning fish. Route markers are posts with reflective white squares; campsites have orange markers. The following description is for the outward portion of the trip.

Turner Lake to Cutthroat Lake 

Starting at the dock just south of Turner North campsite, paddle the length of Turner Lake (about 5 km). Go up the creek to the left of the campsite. A portage trail starts about 300 metres upstream on the right. This portage is 400 metres long, through dry pine forest with kinnickinick and lichens covering the ground. Paddle upstream for about 500 m, then portage around a short rapid for about 100m. Put in and paddle the rest of the way up the creek to Cutthroat Lake.

Cutthroat Lake to Vista Lake 

Cutthroat Lake is less than 1km long. Look for the white portage marker at the south end of the lake. The first portage is 400 metres long and it leads to tiny “No Name Lake.” Another portage starts on the left of the creek at the south end of this lake, and comes out at Vista Lake after 130 metres. If you prefer not to load and unload twice, an extra trail section around No Name Lake links the portage trails.

Vista Lake to Junker Lake 

There is a white route marker at the southwest corner of Vista Lake. Paddle about 400m upstream then take the portage trail on the left for 100 metres to Junker Lake. To reach the Junker Lake campsite, turn east and head for the red sand beach. Caution: if the wind is blowing from the west, you will have to paddle parallel to the waves. The forested sites (where campfires are permitted) are at the northwest end of the beach. Fires are permanently banned at the beachfront sites, but the view of the glaciated Talchako Mountains is hard to beat.

Junker Lake to Widgeon Lake 

Junker is the second-longest of the lakes, at around 3.5 km. It is prone to strong winds from the west, usually starting around 9:00 a.m., so it is best to paddle this lake in the morning when the lake is calm. The 150-m portage trail to Widgeon Lake may be difficult to spot until you are close by, as it’s in a small bay at the far end of the lake. The campground on Widgeon Lake at the end of the trail also has excellent views.

Widgeon Lake to Kidney Lake 

Widgeon Lake is also subject to strong westerly winds, though it’s smaller, at 2.5 km. The portage trail starts just west of the creek inflow, and it’s a tough one: over 500 m long with several uphill sections for a total elevation gain of 40 m. The camping area on Kidney Lake is directly across the small bay from the end of the portage.

Kidney Lake to Sunshine Lake (hike) 

The trailhead for the Sunshine Lake trail is at a small sandy beach directly south of the campsite, and may be difficult to access in rough conditions, since paddling parallel to the waves is tricky. The marker is orange. The 1-hour, 3-km trail angles upwards through spruce forest onto a ridge with views of the creek far below, then follows the ridge up into a zone of subalpine fir, with huckleberries and white rhododendrons abounding. After crossing a short bog, follow blazes to the right and across a log bridge to the campsite. Views across the lake to the south feature more jagged peaks and hanging glaciers. This also makes a very nice day trip from the campsites at any of the previous three lakes.

All camping areas are equipped with a pit toilet (no toilet paper is supplied) and a bear-proof food cache. Most have metal fire rings, benches and worktops for cooking. The style of the bear caches varies: some are elevated platforms, while others are large metal boxes. 

Turner North

10 tent pads

On northern tip of Turner Lake. The float plane dock and canoe rental facility are just south of the campground. The must-do 2-km loop trail to the Hunlen Falls Viewpoint starts at the north end, and the outhouse is nearby.

Turner West (also cabins)

2 tent pads, 2 cabins

On point of land about 4 km south on west side of Turner Lake. Scenic but often windy. The bear cache is 50 m behind the outhouse - follow the orange trail markers. The rustic cabins are available for rent from the Park Operator.

Turner South

5 tent pads

At the south end of Turner Lake next to where Hunlen Creek flows in. A larger, more sheltered campground popular with fly-fishers.

Junker Lake

8 tent pads

On the northwestern shore of Junker Lake. There are two locations: 4 pads are on the red-sand beach, while 4 more are in the forest. The bear cache and outhouse are behind the forest sites 300 m from the beach sites. No campfires are permitted at the beach sites at any time, due to the fire risk from prevailing onshore winds and the amount of dead timber.

Widgeon Lake

7 tent pads

A scenic camping area at the west end of the portage trail.

Kidney Lake

3 tent sites

A more rustic area, with well-spaced campsites on the point directly opposite the end of the portage trail to Kidney Lake.

Sunshine Lake (hike in camping)

3 tent sites

A backpack of about one-hour accesses these rustic sites on the western shore of Sunshine Lake. The toilet is located behind the bear cache.

• Keep a clean campsite: you are in bear country! Use bear caches any time you are away from camp or asleep.
• Never cook or store food in your tent. Strain out food particles then throw used wash water into the pit toilet.
• If you fish, never clean your catch in camp as this will attract animals. Puncture the air bladder and throw offal into deep water. You must have a licence and be familiar with the regulations. At the time of writing: creek fishing is prohibited until July 1 each season; in lakes and streams bait is banned, single barbless hooks only; daily limit 4 with only 2 from streams.
• Pack out all your garbage. Food scraps often don't burn fully, and may attract bears.
• Be careful with fire: most of the campsites are in very dry forest, so always use the metal fire rings, and make sure your fire is extinguished when you leave. Please conserve firewood. Bring a camp stove for cooking.
• Don’t pollute: never put soap or food scraps into the lakes. Wash at least 100 m from water sources.
• Boil or treat drinking water.
• It is best to leave pets at home. If you do bring a pet, it must be under control at all times.
• Firearms are prohibited.

• Nazko Lake Park northwest of Alexis Creek off Highway 20 offers an easy two-to-four-day outing with good wildlife viewing.
• Bowron Lake Park, east of Quesnel, is famous for its six-to-10-day Canoe Circuit.
• Moose Valley Park, near 100 Mile House, is a very pleasant destination for easy day or overnight canoe trips.