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Blue Lake Resort – 10 Highlights To Greet You At The Top Of The Crazy Road

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Blue Lake Resort – Boston Bar, BC

View of the lake from our hike

The summer of 2017 our annual  group camping trip brought us to Blue Lake Resort.   For previous 4 years we had camped in the Cariboo but all of our kids are now working full time or going to school so we needed to find a location within a couple hours of Vancouver. We also required 5 campsites, with at least a couple being lakefront, one cabin and, oh yeah, we all wanted to be together.  We knew this would be a tough order so when the folks at Blue Lake Resort said they could accommodate all our needs we were thrilled and confirmed our reservation.

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Before we booked we did some research on the resort and, as expected, there were many pros and cons. Our biggest worry was the access road from the highway to the resort. Many reviews claimed it was very steep, full of pot holes and narrow so if you met a vehicle coming the other direction one of you will have to back up the to allow for passing. This made us a bit nervous because we all have RV’s that range from 20  to 26 feet and not all of us tow vehicles often. That being said, the resort fit the bill in all other areas so we decided to take the risk

THE INFAMOUS ROAD

I can say the reviews are accurate! The road is everything it promised to be, very steep, very narrow, and very short, only about 1.8 km long. We were lucky not to meet an approaching vehicles on either of our trips. Playing chicken while towing a trailer up hill was not something we were looking forward to. We drove cautiously (AKA slowly) and were able to navigate the road fairly easily. The resort gives tips on the best times arrive and leave and I would recommend following the check in time rules. It really is your best chance to avoid having vehicles meet on this perspicacious road.

The Resort

  • Site 1

Once at the resort we were directed to our campsite and met up with our friends. We were in Lake Site 1 which claimed to have a private dock and great views. Our friends were in Lake Site 2, with the other families being across the road in sites 3, 4 and 5. We were all close together and very near the beach, exactly what we were promised.

We arrived on a Friday afternoon and the resort was very busy. It is large resort with a beautiful beach area but the beach is really too small to accommodate the number of guest at the resort. Our campsite looked right onto the beach area giving us very little privacy and our “private dock” was not so private. Many of the beach visitors made their home on the end. You might think that is not a big deal but they had to walk through our site to access the dock so it was a bit annoying. Due to the large crowds and openness of our site we felt it necessary to lock our trailer door whenever we were away from the site and we kept our cooler and belonging locked in the truck when not in use. This is not how we usually feel when we camp so our initial impression of the campground was not great.

As the weekend proceeded we found that the rules at this campground were very loosely enforced. I think this could be in part because many of the sites are seasonal leases and those guests had a sense of ownership to the space. For example the resort has a  “dogs must be leashed” rule but I think there were more dogs off leash than on leash with very little regard for pooper scoopers. There was also a large number of vehicles driving to the beach area beside us but no designated parking area. The downside was vehicles were parked everywhere and made it difficult for us to move in and out of our site. Another concern was the lack of presence by the staff. BC was in the midst of the worst forest fire season ever with tinder dry condition’s. On our second night a family near to us started a real campfire. As soon as we noticed this large fire, one of our group walked over to inform them there was a campfire ban. Their response was that they had seen so many real fires in the resort and they thought it was okay to have one. I am pleased to report they put it out right away. The lack of staff patrolling is what lead to this dangerous situation.

Needless to say that by Sunday afternoon I wasn’t loving this campground but then it happened…. All the weekend campers headed home and the campground quieted down. There were still several families around but it wasn’t the chaos of the weekend and we started to feel like campers again. The traffic to the beach turned from vehicles to walkers, people didn’t traipse onto our dock and dogs were on leashes. It was an entirely different feel and relaxation started to set in. We stayed until Wednesday of that week and I am glad we did because my impression of the resort was very very different by Wednesday and there were far more pros than cons. If you plan to visit this campground I really would AVOID the weekend.

Here is my advise for this campground

Recommended Sites:

  1. It is difficult to determine what sites are good because many of the sites are seasonal leases and not open to the public but here are my thought.
  2. Lakefront sites are worth the money (except site 1). You get a private dock and most sites are well treed for privacy.
  3. I don’t want to list any more sites because the resort has undergone some renovations since are visit and many of the sites have changed.

Campground Highlights:

  1. The lake is beautiful: it is quite small but still very clear and warm. The size was perfect for kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing and floating. No gas engines are allowed on this lake so it is also very quiet and relaxing. A great place to spend a day.
  2. The beach: the resort offered a beautiful sandy beach with a roped off swim area, several dock and 2 swim platforms to swim out to as well
  3. Lake Front Sites: there are several sites that are lakefront and these come with private docks. Most docks have signs to advise guests they are private docks and, although this was not the case for us, this kept other guest off the private docks.
  4. The trails: we were pleasantly surprised by the number of hiking trails around the resort. We took one hike to the top of the mountain and had a great view of the lake and resort. There were several other trails around the resort for easy short dog walks.
  5. The weather: Boston Bar is known for its dry hot climate and we were not disappointed. The weather was perfect for all camping activities
  6. Hook ups: Our sites had water and electricity and provided enough power to have our air-conditioner run without issue.
  7. On site store, playground, outdoor movie theater, laundry and boat rental. Great for extended stays or family entertainment.
  8. Sani-Dump: We didn’t use the resorts sani-dump so I cannot comment on its condition but at least they had one which is a nice convenience.
  9. Litter free: although I did comment on the lack of staff presence I can say that several times a day all the garbage’s were emptied keeping the resort looking clean the rodents and bugs to a minimum.
  10. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the lake which makes it very quiet and relaxing.
  • Bocci in the dirt, an added challenge
  • Great view from our hike

Campground Lowlights

  • Group Campground, very dusty and no trees
  1. Access road: as stated above it is very steep and narrow but it is more manageable than we expected. What I can report is the resort has noted they are making improvements to the road so I expect it is better.
  2. Weekend crowds: the permanent leasers seemed to have a run of the place on weekend. Driving to the beach, dogs off leash and traipsing through campgrounds made it an unappealing weekend getaway.
  3. Dirt: It is a very dusty campground and really could use for some gravel in the sites. There was grass field area but due to the dry hot summer this was mostly dusty dead grass offering nowhere to play lawn games as a group or family.
  4. Limited staff presence: although the garbage pick was kept up it didn’t seem like the staff followed up on any other things (as mentioned above)
  5. The bathrooms and shower house is located in the center of the campground making it a fair walk from many campsites. It is also up a steep hill so if mobility is an issue they would not be easy to access. There were some porta potty’s scattered around the campground but I was surprised they did not have any near the beach.

Things To do:

  1. Hiking: there are a lot of hiking option you can walk to
  2. Kayaking and swimming: the lake is great for non motorized water activities.
  3. River Rafting: a short drive (back down the terrible road) will take you to river rafting. Our group booked with REO River Rafting and it was tons of fun. For a detailed review click here.

Lightening Lake – 8 Reasons Why This Is One Of BC’s Top Campgrounds

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Manning9

We camped at Lightning Lake Campground a couple years back on our anniversary but just realized I did not do a complete review. Lightning Lake Campground is one of 5 campgrounds located within E.C. Manning Park. It is by far the most popular campground, making it difficult to get into.  We also stayed at Coldspring Campground the same trip and you can find that review by clicking here.

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Canyon Trail Sign
Allison Pass Sign

There are two loops in this campground.  I would recommend the large loop if you have a choice. We camped here in early September and stayed in site 13. It was a very large level site that had limited trees but because the sites are so spread apart it still felt very private. There are 92 sites in the large loop and they are all generally good. The park is located high in the mountains so the days were  warm but the evenings were very chilly. Camping in this park is a hiker’s paradise with endless trails for every level. The park does an amazing job of providing literature on all, including: the trail name, starting point, level, distance, elevation, estimated time, special features and a short trail description. We did the Canyon Nature Trail and part of the Lightning Lakes Chain. Both were very scenic and easy hikes that almost anyone can handle. There are so many trails it is difficult to decide which one to do.  If you’re lucky, you will see some wildlife along the way.

Hiking Trail information can be found on this link and it’s worth reading.

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After completing your hike you can then enjoy some time at the lake. The campground is located next to stunning Lightning Lake, which is perfect for kayaking, canoeing and, if the weather is warm enough, swimming. They offer boat rentals at the lake for those who want to give it a try.  Some trails require a short portage.  The park also has several horse and bike trails. If you like the outdoors this is the campground for you.

Boat Rental information can be found in this link.

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Here is my advise for this campground:

Recommended Sites:

  • Large Loop SitesColdspringsite1
    • Let me start by saying this is a great park and I would be happy to have almost any site. Even the poor sites are not that bad.
    • Lake front sites are the top pick with no one behind you and lots of privacy
    • Site 38 back onto the lake and gets lots of sun.
    • There are not many double sites but, if you can get one, site 12/13 is huge and very private.
    • Site 49 is very large with lots of privacy.  Great if you have a big rig.
    • Site 51 is also very large but does back onto the group site.
    • Sites 15 & 16 back onto the amphitheater with the playground right in front.  If you have kids this might be great.
    • Site 37 is very open to the road and picnic area.
  • Small Loop Sites
    • Double site 99/100 is very large and flat with forest behind.
    • Double site 136/137 looks poor on paper but is actually a good site.  It is set back from the road and has lots of privacy
    • Double site 134/135 lacks privacy and is open to the road.
    • Avoid site 112, the picnic area is exposed to the camp road.
    • Avoid sites along the back road due to traffic noise and lack of privacy

Campground Highlights:

  • Large, clean shower houseIMG_2485
  • Great kids park, playground, amphitheater, grassy areas.
  • Easy access to lake with great picnic area
  • Endless trails and hikes that are clearly marked.
  • Large and private sites with wide access roads for RV parking.
  • Boat rentals nearby
  • Horse trails
  • Sani dump nearby
  • Manning Park resort store and restaurant close
  • Pet friendly area.

Campground Lowlights:

  • Due to high altitude this park gets very cold at night
  • No hook ups
  • No cellphone reception but you can access Wifi at the resort if needed.
  • Very difficult to get a reservation and there is no First Come First Serve sites

Things to do:

Coldspring Campground – Why This Is A Great Option!

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Coldspring Campground, EC Manning Provincial Park

Manning

Coldspring is one of 4 campgrounds located within EC Manning Provincial Park. The most popular campground is Lightning Lakes followed by Coldspring, Mule Deer and Hampton. There are also 3 group campgrounds within Manning Park. Coldspring is a very large campground but only offers basic amenities; pit toilets, well water and a self check in gate which are consistent with the less expensive Provincial Parks.   We could not get a site at Lightning Lake on the long weekend so we settled with one at Coldspring. As we approached we could see several campsites from the highway so we were concerned. The large loop of the campground is very exposed to the highway and the sites offer limited trees to provide privacy. Most of the sites are a good size though and upon further review there were many that would work great. We went for a walk and found several sites along the creek which sat well below the highway providing a private, quiet camping experience.

Skip directly to recommended sites!

Coldspringsite3

What this park offers is great hiking. There are endless trails in this area that range from easy short hikes to more experienced overnight camping trails. We were camping with another couple who were staying at Lightning Lakes so we planned to spend a lot of  time up there. They had printed off 8 pages of hiking trails in the area, so deciding on which one was the challenging part. Upon arrival the weather was rainy and cold with a nighttime low of -2 degrees being called for.  That forecast worked in our favour because Saturday morning we were able to move to a site at Lightning Lakes due to a cancellation.  Turned out the weather was nice and sunny all weekend so our trip was great.

Note that there is no cellphone reception within EC Manning Park. You can access Wifi at the resort if needed.

Our thoughts in the Coldspring Campground

  • We stayed in site 13. It was large with a lot of space between us and our neighbors although quite open and we could see and hear the highway traffic.
  • View from Site 13
  • Creek that runs behind the campground
  • In the main loop, I would only recommend sites along the creek. They are well treed, backed onto the creek which helped mute the traffic and offered good privacy. Site 26 would be our top choice.
  • The lower road offers the best sites (sites 27-47). The road runs well below the highway so traffic noise was well muted. I would suggest only sites on the creek side because most of the roadside sites were very narrow and open to the road.
  • Site 28 & 32 were very nice pull through style sites.
  • Site 37 was the last site on the road and was very private. Great for dogs because they would have more freedom.
  • If staying on the lower road we noticed the noise started to disappear at site 42 and past.
View of the lower road site 37
View of the lower road site 37

Campground Highlights

  • ColdspringhikingsignCreekside sites on lower roads are very private.
  • Many double sites to choose from
  • Several first come first serve sites
  • Short walking trail that leads to Lightning Lakes Park.
  • Campground access to several local hikes

Campground Lowlights

  • Coldspringsite4Proximity to highway. Some site are fully exposed to the road
  • Limited large trees on center sites
  • Pit toilets
  • Well water
  • No cell service at all

Things to do

Cariboo Bonanza Resort – A Gem In The Cariboo!

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Cariboo Bonanza Resort on Horse Lake, BC

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Our morning coffee view.

Another big group camping trip is in the books. The memories, laughter and stories will live on forever, only improving with time.  We received an email to advise the campground we pre-booked for 2015, Moondance Bay Resort, was closing.  It was difficult to find another campground that could give 7 families totalling 26 people lake front sites without a year’s notice. After calling several resorts I stumbled upon Cariboo Bonanza Resort which is also in BC’s Interlakes area.  We were so happy they could offer us 5 lakefront sites with 2 more just behind.

Skip directly to my thought on the campground!

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This week was so full of stories and events that I will break it down to a few posts and focus this one solely on the campground. Cariboo Bonanza Resort is located less than 15 minutes from 100 Mile House on Horse Lake. It is best known as a fishing lake but big enough for swimming and boating activities.

Here are my thoughts on the campground.

If you plan to camp at Bonanza remember it is a private campground and the layout is that of an RV park. The sites are very close together and offer no real privacy, but we sought this type of layout for our large group.

Recommended Sites: here is the campground map

  • We were in sites 39 to 43, which are lake front sites with fantastic views. FYI, we have booked them for 2016. There are some considerations for these sites along with site 44: they are only 15 amp power, and are quite short and narrow, so won’t work for bigger units
  • If you are traveling as a group or wanted a more treed private environment then head to the back of the campground in sites 2-6. They back onto the forest and are grouped in a small cul-de-sac area.
  • Sites 29-32 are also lakefront but overlook the tent sites so do not offer the same lake view feel as 39-45. They are a bit wider and, I believe, offer 30 amp power which might be a consideration.
  • There is an overflow camping area which offers full hookups. It is an open field areas so keep that in mind if you select this area. Large units fit nicely in these large spaces
  • The campground offers several cute cabins. I did not look inside any of them but several are right on the lake and a few along the creek. They were fully booked during our stay so I have a feeling they are hard to get.
  • Tent site area
  • The overflow area behind our bocci game
  • View from site 40
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Rustic cabins

A local told us that one cabin was built for Prince Andrew and Fergie’s honeymoon, although we found nothing on the internet to verify. Bonanza’s owner, Bruno Sprecher, was the Royal Family’s ski guide who once saved Prince Charles’ and other’s lives in a deadly avalanche.

Campground Highlights:

  • The Management/Owners: These people were so friendly and really set the tone for this trip. As soon as we arrived we could feel the hospitality. The sites we were in had a narrow entrance road and right away they offered their tractor to park the RV’s in the site.
  • IMG_2307The campground was spotlessly well maintained
  • Clean washrooms, shower house and laundry room
  • Lakefront sites and access
  • Full hook up options
  • Onsite activities including fun archery targets, and a very impressive children’s playground
  • Several docks & a boat launch
  • Basic supply store

Campground Lowlights:

  • IMG_2108Limited privacy, no different than what you expect in most RV parks
  • Showers were nice and clean but all of us felt they lasted less than their advertised 2 minutes, perhaps because even the cold shut off without warning making it impossible to rinse off.
  • Bathrooms only have 1 toilet so people have to wait occasionally.
  • Power and water on every second site so cords and hoses had to be run across on some sites
  • Forest trail behind the campground leads to a smelly sanitation pond.

Things to do:

  • Fishing
  • Swimming and boating activities
  • Kayak, paddle boat and pontoon boat rentals
  • Volleyball, bike ramps, a dock slide and a large playing field.

Links:

Lac Le Jeune Provincial Park – Kamloops, BC

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www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/laclejeune/

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Lac Le Jeune Provincial Park is located about 1/2 an hour south of Kamloops and a bit over a 1/2 hr north of Merrit, just off Highway 5.  The elevation, of almost 1,300 meters, can be both an attraction and deterrent when considering this park. Residents of Kamloops and Merrit flock here is the summer to get away from their often extreme desert-like temperature. You will find Lac Le Juen is on average about 10 degrees cooler than either of those cities. th (4) This park also has a nice beach and swimming lake although it can be very cold early in the season. The area is popular for fishing and there are also a couple of other good fishing lakes nearby. It is surprising that you are only 1/2 hour away from the city but once in the park you feel like you truly are getting away. Continue reading →

Dutch Lake Resort – Clearwater, BC

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http://dutchlake.com/

Written by guest blogger Fourroys, Surrey, BC 

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Dutch Lake Resort is located in Clearwater, BC. It offers a number of fully serviced lake view RV sites as well as shaded and open partially serviced sites. All of the sites are a short walk to the lake. Clearwater is approximately half way between Edmonton, Alberta and Vancouver, BC (about a 5.5 hour drive either way). Continue reading →

Alpine Canyon RV – A Clean And Simple Rest Stop!

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Canyon Alpine RV Park and Campground – Boston Bar, BC

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It was the end of July 2014 and we had been camping near 100 Mile House for a week. As we neared Boston Bar the thermometer was inching up to 41 degrees. We needed a place to stop, have a cold drink and break up the trip. Our internet search gave us Canyon Alpine RV Park. We were 3 families traveling together so we were hoping for sites near each other. We called and the owner was more than willing to accommodate us. I must say Canyon Alpine was a pleasant surprise. I am not sure what we were expecting,  Boston Bar is not exactly known for destination camping, but we were not disappointed.  The back of the campground is up hill so those sites have retaining walls between them. These tiers give you added privacy but because the sites run across the slop each site is very level. Most sites are pull through, which is great for all sizes of camping vehicles. If walking is an issue then pick a site on the lower part of the campground because it can be a bit of a trek to the back sites. All sites have full hook ups, a picnic table and a fire pit. We were put into sites, 15,16 and 17. It worked great for us and we were just thrilled to open our drinks and turn on the air conditioners. The campground also has a hotel and restaurant. I am not sure if it was the 41 degrees, the 5 hour drive or the 7 days of RV cooking but the restaurant alone made the moms decide this was where we were staying. We were told the restaurant caters to the fire fighters that arrive in the summer so the food is fresh, the portions big and the home made pies a must order. We found all 3 to be true. As for things to do in the area, we were just passing through, but Hells Gate Tram is 15 minutes away and there are several river rafting options in the area. Although we were happy with Alpine Canyon I would only stay in this area for a stop over or maybe a couple of nights if I was river rafting. If that’s what you are looking for this campground fits the bill!

My advise for this campground.

  • Recommended Sites: If you are okay with hill walking then I would recommend sites 6,7,8,15,16,17,20,21 or 22. If you are camping with other groups I would suggest you take sites in a row, so 8,17 and 22. This will give you a bit more of a community feel and added privacy. If hills are an issue then spots near the bottom would be better for you. There did not appear to be any bad sites but I would avoid the one above the washroom, 18, and I did not have a chance to check out sites 24 to 31 but they did seem to back onto the hotel.
  • Campground Highlights:
    1. Restaurant on site, after a week of camping food this was a very nice treat. The restaurant was air conditioned and someone else did the dishes. A very good night.
    2. Being on a hill each site had the feel of added privacy and provided great views of the Canyon. The campground also had many huge trees so you really felt like you are camping in the outdoors.
    3. Pull through, level, gravel sites with full hook ups. We were only staying the night so we did not even unhook.
    4. Large, clean washrooms. The washrooms also made the con list because they were dated and the showers were small but they were clean so that trumps the cons in my books.
    5. If you are staying for more than a night there’s lots to do if you are able to drive. Hells Gate is only 15 minutes away and there several white water rafting options within 20 minutes.
  • Campground Lowlights:
    1. No lake or accessible water option near by. It was 41 degrees, we would have loved a way to cool down.
    2. Washroom had very small showers and were very dated.
    3. The sites were nice and long but not really wide so if you have slides or want to put a tent on your site it would be challenging
    4. Helicopter Noise – we were in the peak of forest fire season so there was a lot of helicopter noise all day long. Not much you can say about that.
  • Things to do in the area
    • River Rafting – several choices within 30 minute drive
    • Hells Gate – 15 minute drive
    • Alexandra Bridge – 25 minute drive
  • Links

Moondance Bay Resort and Campground – Bridge Lake, BC

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Moondance Bay Resort – We have camped at this resort as a group for 2 summers. It was a great place for group camping but sadly they are closing as of December 2014.