Last updated on April 13th, 2024 at 02:11 am
When I want a weekend of relaxation, swimming and fishing, Larchwood Lake Campground in British Columbia is high up on the list. It’s a popular lakeside recreation site located near Kimberley in British Columbia, so the weather is typically considerably better and warmer than up in the mountains where I live. To top it off the water is warm enough to swim in, which is almost impossible to come by in the mountain parks further north.
Getting to Larchwood Lake Campground
A big bonus and a reason I continue to visit Larchwood Lake campground is due to the ease of access to the campsite. While many recreation sites in the area require lengthy trips down rough forestry roads the access to Larchwood Lake is relatively short, although still rather rough! It makes a perfect option for my old car carrying the canoe but it also makes it an ideal spot for people towing larger trailers!
Access to Larchwood Lake Campground is off of Highway 93/95 near Skookumchuck, just after the bridge if you are heading south, the turn off is right on to Farstad Way, after approximately 2 kilometers turn left onto the Torrent Forestry Road, from here Larchwood Lake is signposted. At the Y junction keep right for Larchwood Lake or left to go to Tamarack Lake. (Tamarack Lake is a three site recreation site on the lakes edge, very pretty and peaceful.) The road to Larchwood Lake gets rougher after the junction as it heads up a hill before arriving at the campground entrance.
The Campsite
Larchwood Lake is a managed recreation site which means there are campground hosts on site who maintain the campsite. I love these managed sites since it means your firepit isn’t overflowing with old coals, the sites are raked so you aren’t putting your tent down on pine cones for an excellent night’s sleep and the best part….the toilets get cleaned every day and stocked with toilet paper. I can’t tell you how nice it is to go to the bathroom at these places, air fresheners and a cleanliness I’ve never seen in a drop toilet outhouse before!
The onsite managers at Larchwood Lake Campsite have been there for many summers now and are some of the nicest and friendliest people around. They come by your site during the evening and will collect your fee of $14 per night (as of 2020) and write you out a receipt. They are always willing to help if they can and fill you with tales of bear encounters and fish which have been caught recently. It really makes this place feel even more special and almost like returning to a family home year after year.
There are 22 campsites at Larchwood Lake Campground, most of which are suitable for trailers but a few are smaller and only really suitable for tents. Around one third of the sites are on the lakeshore, although some of these offer a little less privacy with no tree coverage and directly off the road around the campground. The sites further away from the lake offer more shade and privacy although many still have fantastic lake views, there are also a few sites which are doubles and therefore perfect for families or small groups. Let me make it clear though, this is not a party spot. Even when all 22 sites are full, Larchwood Lake Campground is unbelievably peaceful!
Thing To Do At Larchwood Lake Campground
Besides relaxing and enjoying the sun, reading a good book in your camping chair and having a nice fire, Larchwood Lake Campground has a few other activities to keep you entertained.
Fishing
This lake is stocked annually and a fisherman’s mecca in spring and fall. There is a dock at the boat launch and day use area for those who enjoy fly fishing. However most people I’ve seen fishing have been out on the water in boats. Watch out for the painted turtles though! In order to fish you need to get a BC Fishing Licence, you can buy one here.
Hiking
There are a number of trails around the campsite, one which starts from the end of the site takes you up to the bluff above the lake for beautiful views, you can also head up to a ridge behind the campground, but always remember bear spray and watch for animals, apparently elk and bears are often seen around the lake, however rarely if ever come into the site.
Wildlife Watching
Bring your binoculars to Larchwood Lake Campground, along with the big mammals you might see, there are a lot of birds which live near by and use the lake for hunting including eagles and vultures! The campgrounds hosts know a lot about the wildlife in the area and are happy to pass on information to enthusiasts.
All in all Larchwood Lake Campground ticks all the boxes for a super relaxing weekend camping spot! Between the cleanliness, the weather and the lake it would be hard to have a bad experience here!