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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
- There
are no park alerts at this time.
Park
Info:
Syringa Provincial Park is located in south central BC
near the southeast end of the Lower Arrow Lake. The lake
is a part of the Columbia River that was widened and deepened
with the construction of the Hugh Keenleyside Dam at Castlegar.
Recreation opportunities on the Arrow Lake Reservoir have
made the park a long time popular destination and offer
a comfortable base camp for the family to pursue a variety
of recreational pursuits including fishing, boating and
swimming. Explore local history and visit the Doukhbour
Village Museum and Zukerberg Island located in nearby
Castlegar.
The park protects not only provincially significant interior
Douglas-fir forests but also preserves one of the few
remaining examples of grassland ecosystems in the Kootenays.
A variety of wildlife are at home in the park including,
elk, deer and a herd of rocky mountain bighorn sheep that
can often be observed grazing on the many rock bluffs.
Opportunities for nature appreciation occur all year making
this park a destination in every season.

Park
Size: 4,417
hectares near the southeastern end of the Lower Arrow Lake
Special
Notes:
Management
Planning:
Management
Planning Information
Location:
Located
in south central BC, 19 km northwest of Castlegar on Hwy
3A. Depending on your direction of travel look for the
Robson exit just before or after you cross the bridge over
the Kootenay River. The park is a 25 minute drive from
Castlegar.
Map/Brochure:
Any maps listed are for
information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be
used for navigation.

Nature
& Culture:
- History -
The park was named for Syringa Creek, which flows into
the Lower Arrow Lake near the park’s southern boundary.
The "Syringa" or Mock Orange is a shrub which
is indigenous to the area. It blooms in early spring
showing clusters of white flowers with bright yellow
stamens that emit a powerful, pleasing fragrance. First
established in 1968 to provide recreational opportunities,
the park was increased to its present size in 1995 to
protect a provincially significant ecosystem.
- Cultural
Heritage - This area
is significant to the Okanagan, Shuswap, Sinixt, and Ktunaxa/Kinbasket
First Nations. It encompasses areas of cultural and spiritual
values and three pre-contact sites.
- Conservation -
Syringa Provincial Park encompasses 4417 hectares. The
moderately dry and warm climate of this part of the West
Kootenay is conducive to the growth of plants and trees
like bunchgrass and ponderosa pine that are not normally
found in the region. It contains beaches, grasslands,
open and closed pine forest, rock outcroppings and canyons.
It is important seasonal range for rocky mountain bighorn
sheep, elk, deer and cougar. Many bird species inhabit
the parks’ forest and grasslands including white-throated
swifts, canyon wrens nesting in the rock bands and great
blue heron at the waters edge.
- Wildlife - Park
users should always be aware of bears and other wildlife
in our park environment. Never feed or approach bears
or other wildlife. Please view all wildlife from a distance.
Visitor
Safety:
- Lake
weather can change rapidly, be prepared. Visitors should
be aware that high winds could come up quickly.
Visitor
Safety Information (park
safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

Reservations:For
parks that accept reservations,
all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover
Camping.
Campsite
Reservations:
Campsite
reservations
are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.
Group
Camp/Picnic Reservations:
Group
campsite and/or group picnic site reservations are accepted at this park.
Explore
Parks: Fees, park listings, what
you should know before you go and other useful links.
Contact
Information:
West
Kootenay Park Management Inc.
Phone: (250) 837-5734
Fax: (250) 837-5764
Email for general inquiries: information@westkootenayparks.com
Email for park specific inquiries: syringacreek@westkootenayparks.com
Click here to view a non-government
web link, for additional information.

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The
park has one campground with vehicle accessible
sites including 3 double sites and 1 tent site.
All the sites are gravel and the road is paved.
There are no pull through campsites however, all
the sites are considered large and will accommodate
large rigs. The large sites provide limited parking
for extra vehicles. The campground is one large
loop with one cross road at its centre. The majority
of the sites are shaded in a mixed forest of fir
and pine.
The park offers services during the peak season
of May to September. Campsite
reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served
sites are also available.
Visitors can select any non-reserved site and staff
will come to collect fees. A gatehouse with a pay
phone is located about 2 km from the park entrance
sign. The closest store is Scottie’s Marina
1.5 km from the park.
Vehicle
Accessible Camping Fee: $19.00 per party / night BC
Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$9.50 per senior's couple/night
Campground Hours
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.)
|
April
20 - October 15
Gate is closed during the off-season. |
| Campground
Dates with Full Services and Fees: |
April 20 - October 15 |
| Campground
Reservable Dates: |
May
12 - September 15 |
| Total
Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: |
61 |
| Number
of Reservable Campsites, if applicable:
(all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
30 |
| 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. |
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There
are no
wilderness, backcountry or walk-in campsites in this
park.
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A
group campsite is located at the north end of the
day-use parking lot with 13 sites suitable for medium
size recreational vehicles. The site is very private
with open grass areas mixed evenly amongst the mature
trees. It has access to the waterfront with picturesque
lake views. Centrally located are pit toilets, a water
tap and fire ring. Launching car top boats, canoes
and kayaks is possible at this location. For
more information on how to reserve group areas,
click here.
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This
park has three day-use/picnic areas. As Syringa
park is on a reservoir, the water does fluctuate
from spring through fall. The water level is low
in May, rises in June and is at full pond for July,
August and September. The upper portion of the beach
is sand with the lower portion rocky, which is mostly
exposed at low water. Barbeque stands and fire rings
are not available.
The main picnic area is located north of the campground
along the lake. The beach is 250 metres long with 30
picnic tables located on a raised partially shaded
grassy
terrace in front of the beach. A toilet/change house,
2 pit toilets and water taps are available for day
users. This day-use/picnic area is the largest in the
park, with a paved parking lot that can accommodate
220 vehicles.
As indicated by its name Boat Launch day-use/picnic
area with its 150 metre beach, 6 picnic tables and
4 pit toilets can be found at the boat launch in the
south
end of the park just past the park entrance.
Camping day-use/picnic area is located in front of
the campground and is primarily used by campers. The
beach is 50 metres long and has 7 tables. The campground
washrooms and water taps are nearby. This day-use/picnic
area hosts the only adventure playground, in the park.
The playground is set in sand with a swing set, monkey
bars, slide and spring horse.
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Wheelchair
accessible facilities in this park include flush
toilets in the toilet building(s) at the main day-use/picnic
area and campground. From the main day-use/picnic
area a paved pathway is available to allow access
to the picnic tables. The surface area between the
tables is gravel and grass.
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Cold
well water is available for cooking and drinking.
Four water taps are randomly located in the campground,
with two each at both the day-use/picnic area and
boat launch. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
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Two
sets of pit toilets and two toilet buildings are conveniently located
throughout the campground. Main beach day-use/picnic area has two pit
toilets and one toilet building. Boat Launch day-use/picnic area has
four pit toilets. |
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No
showers.
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A
sani-station/dump is available during the collecting
season and is located just past the gatehouse.
Sani-station
Use Fee: $2.00 per discharge
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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.
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There are no electrical hook-ups in this park |
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There
are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at
this park.
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The
Yellow Pine Nature Trail is a year round trail, approximately
4 km long and takes 45 minutes to an hour to reach
the top look out. It has 3 access points - From the
south end of the park, on the topside of the main
access road. On Deer Park road, directly above the
gate house and from the edge of the day-use/picnic
area parking lot, continuing across Deer Park road.
The trail climbs the hillside behind the park, is
fairly steep and considered a moderate hike. Yellow
Pine Trail takes you through mature yellow pine,
past several granite rock outcroppings and offers
intermittent views of Arrow Lake from a terraced
hillside. Rest and enjoy the view from the first
lookout or go all the way to the summit. Both lookouts
have benches.
An additional 2 km of trail links the picnic area with
the campground.
For your own safety and the preservation of the park,
obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting
trails destroy plant life and soil structure.
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An
adventure playground with swing set, monkey bars,
platforms, slide and spring horse is located in the
campground area near the campers’ beach. The
equipment is set in sand.
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As
Syringapark is on a reservoir, the water does fluctuate
from spring through fall. The water level is low
in May, rises in June and is at full pond for July,
August and September. There are three beaches: Campers
beach adjacent to the campground, Boaters beach
at the boat launch and Main beach at the primary
day-use/picnic site. The upper portion of the beaches
is sand with the lower portion rocky, which is mostly
exposed at low water. For 6 weeks in the summer
during high water, Main beach has a roped off swimming
area with a maximum depth of six feet. The water
temperature is described as refreshing to cool however
with three choices and a combined 450 metres of
sandy beach, the park provides an abundance of sunbathing
and swimming opportunities. There are NO LIFEGUARDS
on duty at provincial parks.
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The
peak months for canoeing and kayaking are July and
August when the water is high. Shoreline canoeing/kayaking
is recommended as lake weather can change rapidly.
Easy access is provided at both the boat launch and
day-use/picnic area.
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A
doublewide, concrete boat launch at the south end
of the park has a large, gravel vehicle/boat trailer
parking area with a capacity for 85 cars. Boat trailers
can be parked overnight and boats are sometimes left
in the water or beached, but the shoreline offers
no protection against weather changes. Visitors do
enjoy waterskiing and windsurfing.
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Lower
Arrow Lake can provide excellent fishing for rainbow
or bull trout, and kokanee salmon. Anyone fishing
or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate
licence. Check the BC Fishing
Regulation Synopsis for quotas and restrictions.
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Bicycles
must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory
in British Columbia.
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No
horseback riding.
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Pets/domestic
animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or
park buildings. There is a dog off-leash area along the lake shore trail
from the campground to the boat launch area. The trail is accessed beside campsite #35. You are responsible
for their 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.
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No
wildlife viewing opportunities. 
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No
winter recreation opportunities. |
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No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
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Due to a north wind on Lower Arrow Lake, there are good windsurfing opportunities.
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Waterskiing
opportunities are available on Lower Arrow Lake; access at the park.
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Hunting is allowed in this park. Please check the BC
Hunting & Trapping Regulations for more information.
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No
climbing or rock climbing opportunities. |
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No
spelunking or caving opportunities. |
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No
cabins, yurts or lodges for public use. |
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