Purden Lake Provincial Park

Know Before You Go

Quartz Contracting is hosting a pilot project (A Camping Kit) sponsored by the BC Capital Commission.

The Camping Kit is a loan resource promoting Camping and Provincial Parks by creating the opportunity for new campers to enjoy beautiful British Columbia. The Camping Kit is a kit showcasing the basics of camping gear. This kit will be lent out to camping parties that do not have their own gear, who are otherwise unable to go camping. If you would like to reserve the Kit please contact Quartz Contracting at northquartz@aol.com.

About This Park

Nestled in the rolling mountains east of Prince George, Purden Lake Provincial Park, on the north shore of Purden Lake, is dominated by the Cariboo Mountains to the south and the McGregor range of the Rockies to the north. Densely forested upland with open areas near the lakefront provide pleasant surroundings for a shoreline stroll, swimming or angling for the lake’s resident rainbow trout.

Park Size: 2521 hectares

Special Notes:

No alcohol is allowed on the beach or in the day-use area.
For safety reasons, firearms are not permitted in the park. Purden Lake Park is closed to hunting.
Boaters are cautioned to keep a close eye on the weather, as Purden Lake is subject to sudden, heavy winds which can transform the lake surface into dangerous whitecaps.
Safe swimming practices are a must!
No lifeguard is on duty therefore children should be closely watched at all times and solo swimming should be avoided.

Volunteer Host Opportunity

Purden Lake Provincial Park offers volunteer host opportunities. Click here for more information.

Campground Dates of Operation All dates are subject to change without notice
Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.)	May 10 to September 22 (Gate is closed during the off-season) (opening and closing dates subject to change due to weather/accessibility )
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:	May 10 to September 22 (opening and closing dates subject to change due to weather /accessibility)
Campground Reservable Dates:	May 16 to September 1
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:	78
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served)	40
Note: The above information is for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor Notice" above for park alerts.

Reservations

All reserveable, vehicle accessible campsites and group sites must be reserved through Discover Camping.

Campsite Reservations:
Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.

Location and Maps

Please Note: Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Location Map

Purden Lake Park is located 64 km east of Prince George on the Yellowhead Highway #16.

Maps and Brochures

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Park Map [PDF 96KB]
Park Brochure [PDF 115KB]

Bathymetric Maps:

Purden Lake Bathymetric Map [PDF 2.76MB]

Nature and Culture

History - Surveyors searching for a route for the Canadian Pacific National Railway traversed the area in 1879 and named the lake for their supervisor, M.H. Purden Bell.
Conservation - Purden Lake Provincial Park is situated within the Fraser River Basin, an irregularly shaped depression of gently rolling hills and shallow lakes covering much of North Central B.C. Here, visitors will find a remarkably diverse range of vegetation growing atop the glacial drift that blankets the landscape. White spruce and lodgepole pine can be found at lower elevations with Douglas, balsam and subalpine fir higher up. Willow, alder and birch thrive along the lakeshore. Bunchberry (dwarf dogwood) and false Solomon's Seal carpet the forest floor while Indian paintbrush and lupine add a splash of colour to the roadsides in spring and early summer.
Wildlife - Purden Lake Park is home to black bear and moose year round. Visitors may observe beaver, snowshoe hares, squirrels and porcupines. Bald eagles and ruffed grouse may be seen in the park and the haunting call of the common loon often breaks the evening silence. At Purden Creek the mature forest provides a natural umbrella shading the stream channel and creating excellent habitat for the spawning and rearing rainbow trout.

Management Planning

Management Planning Information

Approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan [PDF 371.43KB] for Purden Lake Park is available in pdf format.

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Canoeing and kayaking are popular on Purden Lake.

Cycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Fishing

Fishing for rainbow trout and burbot is popular at Purden Lake Park. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Hiking

Lakeside walking trails travel through a great diversity of plant life and provide scenic views of the area. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

Hunting

Portions of this park are open to hunting. All hunters should refer to the current BC Hunting and Trapping Regulation Synopsis for regulations and further information.

Pets on Leash

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in park buildings or beach areas except for the area set aside for pets on the west end of the day use area (Boaters beach) as indicated by signs. You are responsible for their control, behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Swimming

Safe swimming practices are a must! Visitors are encouraged to remain within the designated area. An abrupt drop-off is marked with floats. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Waterskiing

There are waterskiing opportunities in this park. For boaters and waterskiers, a special separate beach has been developed adjacent to the swimming area.

Wildlife Viewing

Lakeside walking trails afford a panoramic view of the picturesque area. Visitors may observe beaver, snowshoe hares, squirrels and porcupines. Bald eagles and ruffed grouse may be seen in the park and the haunting call of the common loon often breaks the evening silence.

Windsurfing

There are windsurfing opportunities in this park.

Facilities Available at this Park

Boat Launch

A concrete boat launch, complete with parking allows easy access to productive angling for rainbow trout and burbot. For boaters and water-skiers, a separate beach has been developed adjacent to the sandy swimming area.

Campfires

While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.

Drinking Water

Cold water taps are located throughout the park. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

Picnic Areas

A large beach-side day use area features 48 picnic tables and a log picnic shelter complete with a wood stove. Swimming in the clear waters of Purden Lake and sunbathing on the sandy beach are favoured activities of visitors. Change houses are located in the day-use area.

Pit or Flush Toilets

Pit and flush toilets are located throughout the park.

Playground

There is an adventure playground in the day-use / picnic area.

Sani-Station/Dump

A sani-station/dump is available during the collecting season. The sani-station is located at the campground entrance.

Sani-station Use Fee: $5.00 per discharge

Vehicle Accessible Camping

The campground features paved roads to 78 sites, including 7 double units and 12 tent sites. Purden Lake can also accommodate larger RV's. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $16.00 per party / night

BC Senior's Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $8.00 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

Wheelchair Access

Some facilities in the park are wheelchair accessible.