Sowchea Provincial Park
Fort St. James, British Columbia, Canada
(boating, fishing, swimming, canoeing, camping, wind surfing, water skiing)

Sowchea Park : The park started as a recreation site operated by the forest industry. It is not a standard provincial park with loads of amenities and an open layout for kids and large RVs. The park is tucked away on a dead end road resting on the shores of Stuart Lake located southwest of the community of Fort St. James, British Columbia, Canada.

A 13 hectare park destination is a wilderness park, more than a provincial park because of the rustic nature and the odd campground layout. Being that it is more rural and rustic than other parks in the area, the destination has limited amenities. But the Sowchea Provincial Park does include picnic tables, fire pits, pit toilets and a boat launch.

The amenities are basic but that means little as the park provides great views of Stuart Lake, the Omenica Mountain Range including Mount Pope. That seems to be what attracts the people to the park from around the world between May and September. It is not a day use park but an overnight campground.

Within the park there are fresh water taps. some pit toilets and a boat launch. The Sowchea Park was built to loose standards (because it was a recreation site at one time) which can make it difficult to maneuver larger RVs within the park. Please note large RVs should consider camping at the larger, more suitable Paarens Park just down the road.

The recreation destination is a popular getaway for explorers who enjoy boating, swimming, camping, fishing, canoeing, swimming, wind surfing and water skiing. When the winds pick up the wind surfers pound the waves right in front of your campsite. There is a swimming area in the park and a small craft boat launch for canoes and boats at the far end of the park.

The campground destination is in wilderness country therefore you are sharing the forest with wildlife. Do not leave garbage out as the region is a popular stomping ground for black bears. Be aware in the late spring that the park may be flooded when the lake rises.

How to get to Sowchea Provincial Park: Travel south of the community of Fort St. James on Hwy 16. Just after passing over a bridge , just outside the community, take a right onto Sowchea Bay Road. Continue down the road for about 20 kilometres passing Paarens Park. Keep an eye out on your right for the park sign and the entrance.