Lakelse Lake Park and Gruchy Beach Trail
Terrace, British Columbia, Canada
(hiking, canoeing, sightseeing, boating, windsurfing, swimming, fishing, camping)

Lakelse Lake Provincial Park - The grand-daddy park of the Skeena River region surrounding the community of Terrace, British Columbia, Canada. Uniquely designed, the park is presented in three sections with three separate entrances off the highway. The main section is the Furlong Bay Campground and Day Use Area. South, closer to Terrace is a beautiful Group Campsite and family beach. Closest to Terrace is the Gruchy Beach Hiking Trail following the shores of Williams Creek to a sandy beach.

All three sections have lake and sandy beach access to Lakelse Lake - a very beautiful lake complimented by the Kitimat Mountain Range in the background. Established in 1956, the 354 hectare park was named Lakelse taken from the dictionary of the Tsimshain First Nation people meaning "fresh water mussel".

The park provides visitors with a great opportunity to explore among giants. By canoe or by trail take the time to explore the Old Growth Forest in the area. It is one of the few left in the region. There are trees, that are over 300 years old... some still standing, some have fallen back to the earth. Wildlife in the area like Moose, Wolf and Black Bears are sometimes seen wandering in the sitka spruce, western hemlock and western red cedar forests.

All comers to the park might want to consider making time to hike or off road up Thornhill Mountain. It is a short driving distance to the trailhead from the campsite. A worthwhile sightseeing experience providing 360 degree views looking down on the Village of Terrace, Lakelse lake and looking out across many mountains.

Furlong Bay - The main campground and day use area on Lakelse Lake is 18 kilometres south of Terrace BC on Hwy 37. The park includes a fully serviced lakefront day-use facility with many amenities like a playground, picnic tables, horseshoe pits and washrooms. A boat launch, a large grass field for lounging, frisbee toss, bocce ball or lawn bowling is easily accessed from the large parking lot. Nearby is a picnic shelter, sandy beach, roped off swimming area, an amphitheatre, many campsites and the trailhead to the 2 kilometre Twin Spruce Hiking Trail.

Group Campsite - The group campground is 14 kilometres south of Terrace BC on Hwy 37. It can handle up to 100 people for family events and group functions. The site has 4 large campsites complimented by a beautiful log picnic shelter, a private grass field, flush toilets, picnic tables and best of all... access to Lakelse Lake and a sandy beach. During the peak summer months the beach is a popular destination for visitors and locals. Hence, there is a very large parking lot to accommodate the day use area neighbouring the group campground.

Gruchy Beach Trail - The trailhead leading to the sandy beach is 12 kilometres south of Terrace BC. It is the first turn off (of the three) on your right driving south from Terrace on Hwy 37. From the parking lot the two kilometre trail follows the shores of Williams Creek to a day-use only sandy beach on Lakelse Lake. It is a hard-packed earthy trail with river views, run-off creeks, exposed tree roots and sunken bogs. The trail is well maintained provided that many parts of the route are elevated by wooden boardwalk and bridges avoiding the wet areas and protecting the sensitive eco system.

How to get to the Lakelse Lake Provincial Park:
Travel Hwy 37 south of Terrace, BC, towards Kitimat for approximately 12 Km. At this point on the highway on your right a series of Gruchy Trail directional signs point the way to the large parking lot and the trailhead. 2 kilometres further south on Hwy 37 is the entrance to the Group Campsite. And travel 4 kilometres further south down the highway to the Furlong Bay Campsite and day use area.