Carp Lake Park

Long famous for its rainbow trout, Carp Lake Park offers some of the best fishing in the Central Interior. It is located two hours north of Prince George, nearly in the exact centre of the province.

The park includes Carp Lake, War Lake, numerous smaller lakes and streams, and the eight kilometre waterway that connects Carp and War Lakes and forms the beginning of the McLeod River. The northern shoreline of Carp Lake has extensive sandy beaches which contrasts the spruce-forested south shore.

Two popular campgrounds offer a total of 102 fully maintained campsites. The main Carp Lake campground has a picnic shelter, horseshoe pits and an adventure playground to keep the kids busy. Carp Lake Park is rarely full, except on long weekends. A short walk from the park’s second primary campground at War Lake brings visitors to War Falls, a spectacular cascade of water that comprises two distinct waterfalls separated by about 100 metres of rushing water.

Although the park has the aforementioned “family” amenities, most of Carp Lake’s visitors are interested primarily in angling and water-oriented activities in a wilderness setting. The lake, with its many islands, bays and coves, lends itself to exploration by boat or canoe. Boaters and canoeists can choose among three island marine-accessible campsites that offer secluded camping after a day spent exploring and fishing the lake’s many bays and isolated stretches of shoreline.

Developments in the park are rudimentary, and only those who are completely self-sufficient should plan on visiting. Other than water and firewood there are no supplies of any kind, and the nearest settlement, McLeod Lake, is 32km to the northeast.

Portions of the original Indigenous route to Fort McLeod have been developed into an exciting interpretive loop trail that departs from the main campground. This 3km hike also provides access to Rainbow Lake and fine fly fishing on the McLeod River. Interpretive trail signs are located along the trail to first beach, McLeod River Trail and the War Falls Trail. These signs provide interesting information about the plants, animals and history of Carp Lake Park.