West Lake Park | BC Parks

Highlights in this park

West Lake is a day-use park where visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, and hiking. In the winter, popular activities include cross-country skiing and tobogganing.

A boaters beach complete with picnic tables, pit toilets and fire pits has been developed for boaters and waterskiers. A swimming area is sectioned off. There is a volleyball net and horseshoe pit in the main day-use area. A group picnic site (capacity 100) with pit toilets and a picnic shelter with wood stove, horseshoe pits, fire circle and play field is available.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Safe swimming practices are a must! Visitors are encouraged to remain within the designated area. Please refer to the water safety zones. As no lifeguard on duty, children should be watched at all times and solo swimming should be avoided.
For safety reasons, firearms are not permitted in the park. West Lake is closed to hunting.

Special notes

The launching of boats equipped with above water exhaust motors is prohibited in the park. Motorized boats must remain outside the boundary line between the orange markers.
The consumption of alcohol in a public place (all areas of the park) is prohibited.

Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.

Visit responsibly

Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:

Reservation policies

Get information on:

Picnic shelters

Maps and location

Getting there

West Lake Park is located 22km southwest of Prince George on the Blackwater Road on the north shore of West Lake.

Things to do

Hiking

Trails are accessible in both summer and winter months, view the park map [PDF] for more information.

For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

Swimming

Safe swimming practices are a must! Visitors are encouraged to remain within the designated area. An abrupt drop-off is marked with floats. Swimmers itch may be present at West Lake. To prevent swimmers itch, check out the BC Healthfiles page.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

Lots of opportunity for canoeing or kayaking.

Fishing

Fishing is popular on West Lake and there are opportunities for ice fishing.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Wildlife viewing

This park offers superb habitat for moose, deer, beaver, black bear, and a wide variety of bird life.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times. They are not allowed in park buildings or beach areas except for the area set aside for pets between the log picnic shelter and the boat launch as indicated by signs.

You are responsible for their control, behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Waterskiing

There are waterskiing opportunities in this park. The launching of boats equipped with motors that have above water exhausts is prohibited in the park. Motorized boats must remain outside the boundary line between the orange shore marker. Strict boating regulations are enforced.

Windsurfing

There are windsurfing opportunities in this park.

Winter recreation

There are winter recreation opportunities. Snowshoeing opportunities exist on the regular (summer) trails in the park. There are also opportunities for cross-country skiing on these trails. However, there are no tracks set.

Facilities

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Boat launch

There is a double concrete boat launch, complete with parking lots. The boat launch area is closed daily from dusk to 8am during the summer months. The boat launch opens May 1 and closes October 30.

Drinking water

Cold water taps are located throughout the park. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

Picnic areas

West Lake group picnic area

Operating season

2025: May 1 to September 7
2026: May 5 to September 2

Booking available

2025: May 5 to September 6
2026: May 6 to September 1

Winter season

Limited services

Winter season note

Gate is closed outside of the operating season.

West Lake’s day-use area has all the ingredients for an ideal family outing. Sunbathers will find a perfect spot to spread a blanket on the expansive sandy beach or under the shady cottonwood trees. Nearby change houses and picnic tables make it easy to spend an entire day enjoying this beautiful setting near the water. For energetic visitors looking for a little light-hearted competition, a play field, volleyball net and horseshoe pitches are provided.

For groups, two picnic areas are available. A wood stove, horseshoe pitches, and a playfield make year-round fun available for groups of up to 100. One of the shelters is enclosed for optimum use during cooler weather and is available on a first come, first served basis. The other shelter can be reserved for group use.

Group picnicking fee: $50 per group

Book picnic shelter

Pit or flush toilets

Pit and flush toilets are located throughout the park.

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.

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