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Whiskers
Point
Whiskers Point Provincial Park is located 130 km (81 miles) north
of Prince
George on Hwy 97 and south of Mackenzie
by 57 km (36 miles) on Hwy 97 and Hwy 39.
Park
Features
The features at Whiskers Point Provincial Park include lakeside
camping, incredible sunsets, a large sandy beach, a quiet forested
setting, and southern exposure. The park makes for a great stopping-off
point while travelling Hwy 97 or can provide a great spot to relax
in a safe environment for family relaxation. A few of the facilities
in the park are wheelchair accessible.
Wildlife
Viewing
There is ample wildlife viewing at Whiskers Point Provincial Park,
including the possibilities of watching waterfowl and visiting Trumpeter
Swans that use the lake for a wintering ground. The park also offers
a short, 20-minute-or-so walking trail with nature signs providing
information on the various animals, plants, history, and geological
features of the area.
Vehicle-Accessible
Campground
The park offers 59 vehicle-accessible campsites on a first-come,
first-served basis, many of which are very private, treed, with
some having proper tent pads available. Each campsite has a fire-pit
available and a picnic table with fresh water taps, pit and flush
toilets all close by. Please note, campground reservations are not
accepted at Whiskers Point Provincial Park.
White
Sandy Beach
Whiskers Point Provincial Park has one of the nicest beaches available
on Hwy 97. The sand is fairly fine and the beach very large. There
is a children's play area situated nearby in the day-use portion
of the park. Also at the day-use area are picnic tables, a covered
area for family get-togethers along with change rooms, horseshoe
pits, a volley ball net, and fire-pits. The beach and lake offer
swimming, windsurfing, and waterskiing opportunities. Remember there
are no lifeguards available at any of the BC Park facilities, so
you have to keep an eye on non-swimmers and children.
Fishing
With the appropriate fishing license, anglers can test their luck
for Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. There is a concrete boat launch
available situated near the main parking lot. There are also opportunities
for kayaking and canoeing at the lake. Warning, the wind on McLeod
Lake can sometimes get very strong, making for unsafe conditions.
When on the lake, please take the appropriate precautions.
Fort
McLeod
Whiskers Point Provincial Park is situated about 10 km (6 miles)
south of the historic First Nations community of McLeod
Lake. At one time, McLeod Lake was called Fort McLeod and was
the first trading post west of the Rockies, founded by the famous
Scottish explorer Simon Fraser in 1805 for the Montreal-based Northwest
Trading Company. Named after Archibald Norman McLeod, McLeod's Lake
Post is now a heritage site with several buildings of this bygone
era visible to the public.
Bear
Country
Just remember if you are enjoying the provincial parks and the countryside
around British Columbia, please remember this is bear country. Try
to avoid the rivers during heavy salmon spawning times 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.
Provisions
For provisions and supplies, there is a small general store located
at McLeod Lake. If you require larger items or a bigger selection
of fresh fruits and vegetables, the community of Mackenzie, located
to the north, is the best option. If you happen to be going south
on Hwy 97, the small logging centre of Bear Lake, situated 52 km
(33 miles) away, has fuel and a motel.
Logging
Roads
Also when you are travelling into and around McLeod Lake area by
forestry roads that a lot of the roads are maintained and operated
by private logging companies. Please keep in mind that logging trucks
always have the right of way, so drive with your lights on and keep
in mind that vehicles must use pullouts and yield to logging trucks
at all times.
BC
Parks
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Whiskers Point
Provincial Park
McLeod Lake at
Whiskers Point
Campsite at Whiskers
Point
Sandy Beach at
Whiskers Point
Children's Playground
McLeod's Lake
Post
Picnic Shelter
at Whiskers Point
McLeod Lake General
Store
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