Lightning Lake is one of our favourite places to go camping, not just in E.C. Manning Provincial Park, but also in BC. I love that it is located within the forest, with trees around each site for a little privacy. I love that it is great for hiking and swimming (quelle surprise!) And I love that there are a few bits of luxury like hot showers on site.

There are 5 front county campgrounds in Manning Park as well as 3 group campsites and a bunch of backcountry sites. I’m starting with Lightning Lake because we have stayed here so many times.

Lightning Lake Campground map

This map was made from the (BC Provincial Park website.)

Booking campsites in E.C. Manning Park

Book campsites via the BC Frontcountry Camping Reservation website Or via this site for the Skyview RV park. You can book 4 months before the date you’d like to camp. The cost in 2024 is $23 per night for Coldspring and Hampton, $35 for Lightning Lake, $25 for Mule Deer, and $71 for Skyview (plus $6 booking fee)

• Coldspring Campground: 66 vehicle accessible sites, 53 are reservable
• Hampton Campground: 100 vehicle accessible sites, 88 are reservable
• Lightning Lake Campground: 143 reservable, vehicle accessible sites (92 = large loop, 51 = small loop)
• Mule Deer Campground: 48 vehicle accessible sites, 38 are reservable
• Skyview RV Campground: 92 reservable, RV accessible sites with electric hook ups.

E.C. Manning Provincial Park Camping dates

In 2024 the main operating dates are:

• Coldspring Campground: May 17 to October 14, 2024
• Hampton Campground: June 15 to September 2, 2024
• Lightning Lake Campground:  June 14 to October 14 for large loop. June 14 to September 2 for small loop.
• Mule Deer Campground: May 17 to September 9, 2024
• Skyview RV Campground: Year round.

  

Lightning Lake Campsites

All campsites are vehicle accessible. Each site has a fire pit, a picnic bench and plenty of space. None of the sites have electrical hook up, but the nearby Skyview campground does if you need it! I love that the forest that surrounds each site. There is plenty of undergrowth so each site feels quite private and has lovely dappled light.

Lightning Lake Facilities

There is a little luxury in the large loop at Lightning Lake Campground with showers and flushing toilets. The small loop is a little more basic, but you can always walk over the big loop if you fancy a shower. In addition to that, you’ll find:

• Water taps
• Warm washing up facilities (by the showers)
• Recycling stations
• Pit toilets (that are not too stinky!)
• Playground opposite site 15, by the Spruce Bay Beach access trail
• Sani dump for RVs (over at the Manning Park Lodge, 1km away)
• There are multiple day use picnic areas, beaches and a boat launch area.

Bare Campsites

The most important rule about camping in BC is keeping a bare campsite. I took the photo below a couple of kilometers down the trail from Lightning Lake’s big loop. Basically you need to pack away all food, cups, plates, pans, grills etc., and anything that has a scent that might attract bears. Store things in your vehicle when car camping. Never leave any of food or these items unattended for even a minute, and do not keep them inside your tent. 

Wildlife around Manning Park

In addition to bears, we have seen so much wildlife around Lightning Lake! Early in the morning we’ve seen deer and bears as we’re driving to trailheads. We’ve also met snowshoe hares, pikas and of course ground squirrels on our hikes. I also met my first beaver and otters on the same day on Lightning Lake.

Campfire or no campfire?

We love campfires at Manning Park. I have a whole post about cooking on a campfires. Although there are fire pits at all of the campsites, depending on the fire-risk when you visit, you might not be able to use them.

Firewood can be purchased when fires are allowed. From the BC Parks website: To conserve vegetation and ground cover, do not gather firewood from anywhere in the park. Dead wood is important for many plants and animals, and it adds valuable organic matter to the soil.

Paddling on Lightning Lake

As well as swimming, there are plenty of opportunities to go paddling on the lake. The boat launch and boat house with rentals is a stroll away (2km). There are 2 seater canoes, 5 seater canoes, rowboats, kayaks or stand up paddle boards. I have a whole post about renting a boat at Lightning Lake.

Fishing in Manning Park

The Lightning Lakes chain has lots of rainbow trout so it is possible to fish (either from the shore, or in a boat) Or, if you’d like to fish in peace, hike to Poland Lake or Nicomen Lake. You’ll need to purchase a freshwater fishing license before you go.

Hiking in Manning Park

If you are Camping at Lightning Lake and would like some more ideas of things to do nearby. I have a few other posts that you might enjoy. There are so many great options for all levels!

Challenging, but incredible

• Skyline Trail to Lone Goat Mountain: for spectacular mountain views and alpine flowers
• The Three Brothers hike: Your car takes you up the mountain, so this entire hike is up in the alpine
• Frosty Mountain: Best in autumn when the larches turn golden

Intermediate

• Windy Joe: Hike up to a historical fire lookout
• Lightning Lakes Chain trail: Great for cloudy days or shoulder season – hike to four gorgeous lakes
• Three Falls trail: Short hike to three picturesque waterfalls

Short and easy

• The Dry Ridge trail or Paintbrush trail: Super easy hikes on top of a ridge (your car does the hard part)
• Lightning Lake Loop: Easy loop hike (this post is from when we did it in the snow)
• Canyon Nature trail: Pretty trail along the similkameen river canyon.
• Beaver Lake trail: Wildflower filled trail to a pond where beavers live.

I hope this gives you an idea about what it is like to go camping in the Lightning Lake Campground, or the other lovely campgrounds in Manning Park. This is a popular area to visit, but this is because it is gorgeous, has fabulous varied hikes as well as beaches and opportunities to paddle. Do you like the look of camping here?