Our many lakes offer serene flatwater paddling and our rivers and creeks can challenge your skills.

Whether you're at a full-service BC provincial lake park, a rustic Parks and Recreation site, or an off-the-beaten-track location, you're sure to find some conditions that suit your paddling level.

Gwillim Lake Provincial Park      (#5 on TR Recreation Map)

Drive 42 km north towards Chetwynd on Hwy 29, and turn right at the turnoff for Gwillim Lake Provincial Park. Follow this paved road for 2 km down to the campground, and follow the signs for the Day Use Area.

Park here, and use the boat launch beside the beach. Use caution when heading into the main part of the lake, as it can become windy very quickly. It is best to stick close to the right bank of the lake, which leads to a large bay that is more sheltered. Follow the shore around the west end of the lake, then cross the lake at its narrowest section to complete the loop if the wind is not too strong.

Gwillim Lake is one of the largest in the area at10 km long and an average of 1 km wide. It boasts a lovely provincial campground with 50 sites, and is popular with residents of Tumbler Ridge and Chetwynd.

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Moose Lake                              (#2 on TR Recreation Map)

Drive north on Hwy 29 for 26.5 km, then turn right onto the road leading to Moose Lake. Follow this gravel road for 6 km to the boat launch at the west end of the lake. Moose Lake is 2.3 km long and 600 m wide, with the west end being somewhat marshy. The lake is stocked with Rainbow and Brook Trout.

The boat launch is part of a Recreation Site with 9 rustic campsites.

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Stony Lake                               (#10 on TR Recreation Map)         

Drive southeast on Hwy 52 for 53 km to the signed turnoff for the Stony Lake Recreation Site. The dirt access road is 1.5 km long and ends at the eastern end of the lake, where there are 12 campsites. Stony Lake is 2 km long and 400 m wide.

The brochure “Stony Lake: History, Trails and Recreation” describes the features of this area in detail. If you head east from the campsite area, the lake narrows for 1 km at its outflow before reaching a beaver dam. This stretch is good for wildlife viewing.

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Quality Lake                              (Before Bearhole Lake, #9 on TR Recreation Map)

Drive north on Hwy 52 for 6.5 km, then turn right onto the gravel road. Quality Lake is reached after 6.75 km. From the culvert crossing at the lake’s outlet, a 100 m walking trail leads to the north end of the lake. It is 1.2 km long and 300 m wide, and is stocked with Rainbow and Brook Trout. The lake is marshy at its outlet due to beaver activity, and there is no boat launch. Loons are often seen on this lake.

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Bearhole Lake Provincial Park  (#9 on TR Recreation Map)

Bearhole Lake is 15 km past Quality Lake on the same road. From Tumbler Ridge drive 6.5 km north on Hwy 52, then turn right onto the gravel road. The boat launch is reached after 23 km.

The last kilometre is often rough and muddy. The lake is 2 km long with a south arm of 1 km, and 700 m wide. It contains a single island. A shallow channel leads southeast to a second lake, good for wildlife viewing. This is a Recreation Site with rustic campsites.

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Flatbed Creek (East)                (#13 on TR Recreation Map)

Drive southeast on Hwy 52 for 32.5 km to the signed turnoff of the Flatbed Creek Forestry Recreation Site. Drive 200 m along the gravel access road, where there are 8-9 potential campsites on the creek.

Portage along the trail for about 100 m to launch your canoe. This allows for a blissful paddle upstream for 45 minutes through an undisturbed valley.

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Paddling on the Murray River

For these trips on the Murray River, you will need two vehicles, or else leave your vehicle at the take out location and be dropped off at the starting point.

Note that there are often lots of river boats on the water, so use caution.

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Kinuseo Falls to the Tumbler Ridge Boat Launch

This is an overnight trip, and starts with a drive to iconic Kinuseo Falls (see the “Visiting Kinuseo Falls” brochure for directions).

Portage your canoe or kayak down the 1.5 km trail to the base of the falls. This section is classified as Grade 2, with some easy rapids. There are several possible places to stop and camp overnight.

There are 3 bridges along this road, so the trip can also be broken up into sections. You will pass through scenic high foothills, and the fishing is usually good. The total distance is 56 km.

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Bridge to Bridge

Before the Murray River Forest Service Road was built, there were only two bridges across the Murray River near town. This trip is between those two bridges. Drive southeast on Hwy 52 (Heritage Highway) for 13 km, and turn right onto the Murray River Forest Service Road. Follow this gravel road for 8.5 km to the boat launch on the far side of the bridge over the river.

This stretch is 14 km long, also classified as Grade 2 with some easy rapids. There are several spots along the way that you can stop to fish, swim or have a picnic.

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Tumbler Ridge Boat Launch to Lone Prairie

The start of this trip is west on Hwy 29 towards Chetwynd for 3 km at the boat launch on the far side of the river. The car shuttle is a long one to Lone Prairie.

It is a remote 2-3 day adventure, with Grade 3 rapids on the lower stretches. There are numerous river-wide ledges, some chutes and rock gardens. It is in a very remote area, and is not for beginners. The scenery along the way is spectacular.

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Make sure you and your equipment are capable of handling the current conditions and sudden changes in the water and wind.

When you’re in unfamiliar waters it’s easy to paddle into a dangerous situation whether you're on a calm lake or a speedy river.

There are often invisible hazards such as riptides or rocks you cannot see from the water's surface.

Always wear a properly fitted buoyancy device, and team up with an experienced paddler.

Be aware of potential hypothermia, sunstroke, or dehydration.

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 These routes are in bear country; travel in groups and make noise

 Please pack out what you packed in.

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