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Conkle
Lake Provincial Park
Conkle Lake Provincial Park is located north-west of the small community
of Rock
Creek and south-west of the Rhone
Valley in the Boundary Region of south central British
Columbia.
Travelling
Here
To get here you have to travel on Hwy 3 east from Osoyoos
6 km (4 miles) past the small settlement of Bridesville
to the Johnson Creek-Conkle Lake Forest Service Road (FSR). Or,
if you are coming from Rock
Creek, the Johnson Creek FSR is 9 km (6 miles) to the west on
Hwy 3. There is also the Conkle-Ripperto FSR which starts from the
Rhone
Valley which is near the small community of Westbridge.
The Conkle-Ripperto FSR has a gate open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Take
Caution
If you are travelling in a large RV, such as a motorhome or pulling
a fifth-wheel or trailer, do not drive either of these approaches.
The route into Conkle Lake, unfortunately, has proven to be too
much for vehicles with low clearances. Stories abound, especially
in the Rhone
Valley, about people ripping out axles, losing brakes or just
going off the road so please take caution when travelling here.
Park
Highlights
The park highlights of Conkle Lake include outdoor recreation found
throughout this area and a very secluded lake. The day-use area
of the park has a white sandy beach offering a great swimming area
but without the crowds. Conkle Lake has fresh-water fishing available
for anglers catching fairly large Rainbow trout. Canoeing and kayaking
are also very popular on the lake.
Campground
The campground at Conkle Lake Provincial Park contains 34 vehicle-accessible
campsites, some of which are set in a fairly private forested area
of lodgepole pine and western larch. If you are planning to use
a campground at Conkle Lake Provincial Park, reservations cannot
be made but are on a first-come, first-served basis. But fortunately
because of its remoteness, you can usually get in, except for long-weekends
in the summer so it is suggested that you arrive early.
Facilities
The facilities found at the Conkle Lake campground include well-spaced-out
sites, good drinking water from hand pumps found throughout (boiling
is advised) and pit style toilets. For boaters there is a restriction
of a maximum limit of 10 horsepower with a car-top boat launch available
situated near the side of the beach area.
Walking
Trails
Also found at Conkle Lake are the two walking trails that are available
starting in the park. One trail, called the Falls Trail, which takes
you outside the park on an unmaintained path and leads to a small
waterfall on East Creek. The other trail, also unmaintained but
in really good shape, takes you halfway down the east side of Conkle
Lake with views of the beach and lots of wildlife can be seen.
Bear
Country
Just remember if you are enjoying the trails and the countryside
around Conkle Lake, please remember this is Bear Country. Try to
avoid the bush unless you feel comfortable with bears around and
take the usual precautions. There is also the possibilities of encounters
with wolves or cougars so please play it safe.
Nearest
Services at Rock Creek
For supplies or services you can travel into the community of Rock
Creek about two hours away on Hwy 3. Once in Rock
Creek, there are an Ultra Fuels and Petro-Canada service stations,
gift stores, Prospector Pub and the Gold Pan Café. Rock
Creek is also close to the small settlement of Kettle Valley
where you can find a 9-hole golf course called the Kettle Valley
Golf Club and the Kettle River RV Park which is conveniently across
from the golf course on Hwy 3.
Adventure
Riding
If you happen to like exploring by quads or adventure riding on
motorcycles, try taking a loop trip from Hwy 3 down to the Rhone
Valley through Conkle Lake. Both the FSRs have beautiful views
of the natural geography of the southern climate found in the Boundary
Region.
BC
Parks
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