Lakelse Lake Provincial Park

Lakelse Lake Provincial Park and Gruchy Beach Trail in Terrace, British Columbia, Canada are the more popular adventure destinations of the Skeena River region surrounding the community of Terrace. Uniquely designed, the park is presented in three sections with three separate entrances.

The main part of the Lakelse Lake Provincial Park is the Furlong Bay Campground and Day Use Area. A group campsite and a family beach make up another part of the park located south of Furlong Bay. The third part of the park, closest to Terrace, is the Gruchy Beach Hiking Trail following the shores of Williams Creek before connecting to a sandy beach.

All three sections have sandy beach access to Lakelse Lake - a very beautiful lake complimented by the Kitimat Mountain Range in the background. The activities most enjoyed in the park include hiking, canoeing, boating, windsurfing, swimming, fishing, camping and sightseeing.

Established in 1956, the 354 hectare park was named Lakelse taken from the dictionary of the Tsimshain First Nation people meaning "fresh water mussel". The park provides visitors with a great opportunity to explore among giants. By canoe or by trail take the time to explore the Old Growth Forest surrounding the lake. It is one of the few left in the region. There are trees, that are over 300 years old... some still standing amongst the sitka spruce, western hemlock and western red cedar trees.

All comers to the park might want to consider making time to hike or off road up Thornhill Mountain. It is a short driving distance to the trailhead from the campsite. A worthwhile sightseeing experience providing 360 degree views looking down on the Village of Terrace and Lakelse Lake.

Furlong Bay - The main campground and day use area on Lakelse Lake is 18 kilometres south of Terrace BC on Hwy 37. The park includes a fully serviced lakefront day-use facility, playground, picnic tables, picnic shelter, horseshoe pits, washrooms, boat launch, large parking lot, sandy beach, roped off swimming area, an amphitheatre, many campsites and the trailhead to the 2 kilometre Twin Spruce Hiking Trail.

Group Campsite - The group campground is 14 kilometres south of Terrace BC on Hwy 37. It can handle up to 100 people for family events and group functions. The site has a beautiful log picnic shelter, a private grass field, flush toilets, picnic tables and best of all... access to Lakelse Lake and a sandy beach.

Gruchy Beach Trail - The trailhead leading to the sandy beach is 12 kilometres south of Terrace BC on Highway 37. The two kilometre trail follows the shores of Williams Creek to a day-use only sandy beach on Lakelse Lake. It is a hard-packed earthy trail with many parts of the route elevated by wooden boardwalk and bridges avoiding the wet areas and protecting the sensitive eco system.

Explore Lakelse Lake Provincial Park and Gruchy Beach Trail in Terrace, British Columbia, Canada

Travel Hwy 37 south of Terrace, BC, towards Kitimat for approximately 12 Km. At this point on the highway on your right a series of Gruchy Trail directional signs point the way to the large parking lot and the trailhead. 2 kilometres further south on Hwy 37 is the entrance to the Group Campsite. And travel 4 kilometres further south down the highway to the Furlong Bay Campsite and day use area.