If you have heard the lore of the mythical Sasquatch, this park is surely one of its many homes.
I serendipitiously discovered the wilderness refuge by carrying on down the road past tge Tourism Mecca that is Harrison Hot Springs Resort Municipality.
Just exit the town, pass Killer's Cove Marina, keep right....and boom, you are at the entrance to Sasquatch Provincial Park.
The day I visited was overcast and gloomy. The density of the forested mountains and narrow road contributed to the feeling of being in a very spooky and remote part of the World.
That said, I arrived at the entrance to the park where there is information. Do not be daunted by the uphill gravel road leading off into the wilderness
A mere six kilometres in is the first campsite. It is on its own lake and is very much what one would expect of a BC Parks Campsite.
It is very organized with outhouses, shady and private spots, fire pits, fresh water pumps, (boiling is suggested before consumption) and well marked trails to the lakeside beaches.
As mentioned, this site was full for camping, however there is a lovely day-use area next to the lake with many picnic tables and ample parking.
I headed up the road to the other two campgrounds which indicated site availability.
Driving through those forest roads with the mossy trees surrounding so thickly, one sees wee hollows and swamps that would be ideal spots for Sasquatch viewing.
Gazing into the thick and densely-mossed tree branches, one cannot see beyond about ten feet, before the darkness becomes forbidding.
It is easy to imagine the Sasquatch watching and waiting for me to leave so he can carry on with his days foraging.
Arriving at the other campsites, there is indeed plenty of vacant sites and much privacy. And again, there is a spacious and well-appointed day use area next to another lakefront beach.
At night the darkness must be complete as there are no sources of unnatural light except for those of the campers.
Park rangers can be found driving around the sites during the day to collect fees and sell firewood.
For folk who rely on connected-ness, there is complete cell service, even though one has a serious sense of isolation.
For those just wanting a good day trip away from the city and tourist crowds, this park features a huge day-use area closer to the entrance.
Here there is a boat-launching ramp and indoor flush toilets.
This area actually sits on the famed Harrison Lake and has all the attendant magnificient views.
My visit was mid-week in August and it was raining a lot while I was there and when I left. So obviously, if you go prepare for weather changes.
Located not more than a two-hour drive from the frenetic megalopolis of Vancouver, BC, Sasquatch Provincial Park is an ideal place to hang out in peace and quiet.
Personally, I did not see the Sasquatch (s) but I believe this is where they would live.
Sasquatch Provincial Park is an authentic wilderness experience, ideal for those who want to spend some quality time in solitude and reflection.
However, one can also rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. There are enough other campers that one need not be lonely and for a human being, it would be easy to...
Read moreSasquatch Provincial Park is truly a wilderness gem, offering a fantastic outdoor experience that my family thoroughly enjoyed. With two stunning lakes, Hick's Lake and Deer Lake, and an array of family-friendly hiking trails, it's a nature lover's paradise.
Our hike at Hick's Lake, which was around 6 km, was an absolute delight. Even my 7-year-old son had a blast, and that's a testament to how kid-friendly the trail is. The path meandered through lush forests with captivating glimpses of the lake, creating a perfect balance of adventure and serenity.
Hick's Lake itself is a marvel, and the beach was a great spot to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The day-use area can get a bit crowded, especially when the weather is nice, but it's understandable as the park is a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of nearby Harrison.
We also camped at Sasquatch Provincial Park, and while some of the double sites were a bit challenging to navigate due to rocks, they offered a good level of privacy. The lack of cell service was a bonus, truly immersing us in the wilderness experience.
Deer Lake was a peaceful, lesser-known lake in the park. It provided a serene contrast to the more popular Hick's Lake, and we appreciated the tranquility.
One small hiccup was the lack of clear signage for the bench campground, but once we found it, we were pleased with our choice.
Sasquatch Provincial Park is a hidden wilderness paradise, offering outdoor activities for all ages and a great escape from the Harrison crowd. It's a place where you can truly disconnect and appreciate the natural beauty of...
Read moreStayed at Bench Campground where the sites are larger and more spaced apart than the other two campgrounds in the park. Hicks Lake was good to swim in but Deer Lake was prone to Swimmer's Itch. There's a rough trail along Deer Lake that one needs sturdy shoes for as there's points where the rocks on the path are quite sharp. Wood is $12 per bundle and will last you for 3 hours if you like tiny fires. Found that Bench Campground was about 5C cooler than Harrison Hot Springs, which is nice when the Valley is at 35C. Complaints would be the condition of the outhouses and the lack of policy on smoking. Outhouses were mostly full up and not sumped out while we were there. Had one neighbouring site that had cigarette smoke wafting from it for 4-5 hours the 3 days they were there. No pleasant when the wind came from either that site or the outhouse. Lastly, the park people say that Bear rules are employed for all campers. That may be true but it's not enforced as I walked both loops a couple of times each of the days we were there and found at least 2-3 sites that were unattended that had food and/or coolers out with no tickets or warnings issued by parks staff. That was disappointing as we employed our usual adherence to having a bare site when...
Read more