Camping at S⨱ótsaqel or Chilliwack Lake Park is brilliant! It is located at the edge of Chilliwack Lake, surrounded by the Cascade Mountain range in Canada (on the border with the USA.) The campground is massive, but split into 5 sections (named after local mountains or lakes; Flora, Lindeman, Radium, Greendrop and Paleface.) This campground is around 2 hours drive from Vancouver, but it feels like it’s located far into the Canadian wilderness. The best part about camping near Chilliwack Lake is the access to so many incredible hikes!

Chilliwack Lake Park Camping maps

These maps are from the (BC Provincial Park website.)

S⨱ótsaqel or Chilliwack Lake Park Camping dates

In 2025 it is May 15 to September 6 for Flora Loop and Radium Loop.
April 11 to October 15 for Paleface Loop, Greendrop Loop and Lindeman Loop.

The gates are closed from mid October to mid-April. It is possible to hike in and camp when the gates are closed in the wintertime, but it is walk-in, with no services and user-maintained. No fees to camp in winter.

Booking campsites in Chilliwack Lake Park

Book campsites via the BC Frontcountry Camping Reservation website. You can book 4 months before the date you’d like to camp. The cost in 2025 is $22 per night (plus $6 booking fee)

• Flora Loop (33 sites – 4 are double sites)
• Lindeman Lake Loop (23 sites – 3 are double sites)
• Radium Loop (60 sites – 5 are double sites)
• Greendrop Loop (18 sites – 4 are double sites)
• Paleface Loop (48 sites – 8 are double sites)

Chilliwack Lake Campsites

Each campsite is vehicle accessible and has a fire pit, a picnic bench and plenty of space to park and set up your tent (or camper.) None of the sites have electrical hook up. There is quite a lot of variation in the size of the campsites. The Flora and Radium Loops were a little larger and more private. If you have large RV, check the reservation website first to check the dimensions.

If you have kids, Paleface loop is the best option as it is closest to the beach and play area.

Chilliwack Lake Park Facilities

The facilities at Chilliwack Lake are pretty basic. There are no showers, cooking shelters or bear caches. There are trees surrounding each site, but not much undergrowth.

• Water taps
• Pit toilets (that are not too stinky!)
• Adventure playground (near Paleface Loop)
• Sani dump for RVs
• In addition to the campsites, there is a day use parking area with a boat launch, a beach and loos.

Bare Campsites

The most important rule about camping is keeping a bare campsite. 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.

Campfire or no campfire?

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 in the park when fires are allowed. We tried something new camping here – Okonomiyaki. It works really as a camping meal.

S⨱ótsaqel or Chilliwack Lake

This is the beach at Chilliwack lake. It’s closest to the Paleface Loop section of the campground. The lake is very cold (as it is fed by glaciers) but it’s still a popular place for swimming, boating and watersports.

Hikes near Chilliwack Lake

There are some fantastic hikes within S⨱ótsaqel or Chilliwack Lake Park as well as nearby:

• Easy-ish hike to Bosumarne Falls
• Super easy walk to Chipmunk Caves
• Easy hike to the jewel-like Lindeman Lake and beyond (slightly harder trail) to Greendrop Lake
• Epic (but challenging) loop hike to Flora Lake and Flora Peak

This campground is also right on the Trans Canada Trail. There are really pleasant trails all around the camping area, and over to the nearby trailhead for Lindeman Lake and Flora Peak.

It was an absolute pleasure to go Camping in Chilliwack Lake Park (S⨱ótsaqel.) We visited on days when the skies were a bit overcast and it was a little too cold to swim, but we still had a great time. The facilities might be a little basic compared to places some other Provincial Park Campgrounds (like Lightning Lake at Manning or Alouette Lake in Golden Ears) but it’s worth roughing it to access the fabulous local scenery.

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