National park · Canada
Horsefly Lake Provincial Park
Go if you are already in the Cariboo with a vehicle: camp mid-May to mid-September, swim and fish off the day-use beach, and drive the 10 km (6.2 mi) of gravel from the 150 Mile House turn-off; skip it as a stand-alone trip from Vancouver or Calgary.Go if you are already in the Cariboo with a vehicle: camp mid-May to mid-September, swim and fish off the day-use beach, and drive the 6.2 mi (10 km) of gravel from the 150 Mile House turn-off; skip it as a stand-alone trip from Vancouver or Calgary.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
- British Columbia ↗BC Ferries: reserve a vehicle sailing in summer; foot passengers just turn up.
- British Columbia ↗Interior wildfire smoke can hit July–August; keep plans flexible and check air quality.
- Cariboo-Central Coast ↗Highway 97 is the spine; winter tyres are required on many BC routes 1 Oct – 30 Apr, and mountain-pass closures happen.
- Cariboo-Central Coast ↗The Central Coast has no road link to the interior; access is by scheduled flight or BC Ferries from Port Hardy or Prince Rupert.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
- 186 ha (1.86 km²) per BC Parks; the lake itself is far larger and mostly outside the park boundary (check).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Williams Lake
Horsefly Lake Provincial Park is small — 186 ha on the west end of a long lake that pushes into the Quesnel Highlands — and almost all of it is the 23-site campground and day-use beach. The draw is not a signature hike but old-growth cedar and fir, rainbow trout water, and a quiet base for the Horsefly River sockeye run in mid-September. It sits about 65 km from the Highway 97 junction at 150 Mile House, most of it paved, and the nearest services are in Horsefly village, roughly 15 minutes away.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²) · national park since 1970
186 ha (1.86 km²) per BC Parks; the lake itself is far larger and mostly outside the park boundary (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Williams Lake.
Why go
- A 23-site campground with several pitches right on the lake, at provincial-park prices rather than resort prices.
- Old-growth cedar and Douglas fir along the lower Dillabough Creek slopes, unusual for the Cariboo at this elevation.
- Rainbow trout and lake trout fishing from shore, boat, canoe or kayak on a long, lightly developed lake.
- The Horsefly River spawning channels just outside the village, where sockeye return in mid-September.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctAvoid
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanPark road and campground closed; snow
- FebClosed; deep winter
- MarClosed; ice on the lake
- AprClosed; break-up mud
- MayCampground opens mid-month; cold nights
- JunLong days, fishing picks up
- JulWarmest water; busiest weekends
- AugWarm; wildfire smoke possible
- SepSockeye run mid-month; campground closes mid-month
- OctClosed; frost and rain
- NovClosed; early snow
- DecClosed; winter access only
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sockeye salmon in the Horsefly River spawning channelsSep · Peak around mid-September; the channels are outside the park, near the village. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | no | no | no |
| Rainbow trout and lake troutMay–Sep · Fishing season follows the BC freshwater regulations; check the current rules. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Moose, mule deer, black bear, coyote, cougarApr–Oct · Bear-aware camping: store food in a vehicle, never in a tent. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Biting fliesJun–Jul · Fewer than the park's name suggests, but bring repellent for evening at the beach. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From 150 Mile House (Highway 97)
Turn off Highway 97 and follow the Horsefly road about 65 km (40 mi); roughly 55 km (34 mi) paved and 10 km (6.2 mi) well-maintained gravel to the park turn-off.Turn off Highway 97 and follow the Horsefly road about 40 mi (65 km); roughly 34 mi (55 km) paved and 6.2 mi (10 km) well-maintained gravel to the park turn-off.
1–1.25 h
Open the page →
From Williams Lake
Highway 97 south to 150 Mile House, then the Horsefly road; the usual supply stop before the park.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Horsefly village
Paved and gravel road west along the lake to the park entrance.
15–20 min
From Vancouver or Calgary
Fly or drive to Williams Lake first; this is not a day trip from either city.
1–2 days
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Campground and day-use area | 23 sites, several on the water, plus a developed beach, picnic area, boat launch, horseshoe pit and outhouses. | Open mid-May to mid-September; camping fee applies. |
| Nature trail and Dillabough Creek slopes | Short walking path through fir, spruce, birch and cedar, including old-growth cedar and Douglas fir. | Open on foot; no ticket. |
| Horsefly Lake | Long, semi-wilderness water body with rainbow trout and lake trout; most of the shoreline is outside the park. | Open; boat launch at the day-use area. |
| Horsefly River spawning channels | Dyked viewing paths outside the village where sockeye spawn in mid-September. | Open; outside the park boundary. |
Sketch map
- 1Park entrance and campground · Gate≈52.385, -121.288Map ↗
- 2Day-use beach and boat launch · Beach≈52.386, -121.290Map ↗
- 3Horsefly village · Town≈52.333, -121.417Map ↗
- 4Horsefly River spawning channels · Viewpoint≈52.340, -121.400Map ↗
- 5Viewland forest service road trailhead · Trail≈52.410, -121.250Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Park coordinates from the BC Parks listing; village, spawning-channel and trailhead positions are approximate, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camping, vehicle-accessible or walk-in site | CAD 23–30 (≈ US$17–25) | party per night | 2026 estimate; the last published rate was $23 (2018). Reserve through the BC Parks camping system. |
| Day use (beach, picnic area, boat launch) | Free | vehicle | No day-use fee at BC Parks campground parks (check). |
| Firewood | CAD 10–15 (≈ US$8–11) | bundle | 2026 estimate; sold at the campground when a host is on site (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Campsite reservation no permit
Fishing licence permit or guide
Day use no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$23–30≈ US$17–25
- C$10–15≈ US$8–11
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on BC Parks — Horsefly Lake Provincial Park before you go.
Park rules
- Campfires
- Only in provided fire rings, and only when the BC wildfire rating allows; campfire bans are common in July and August.check
- Food storage
- Keep all food and coolers in a hard-sided vehicle or trailer; black bears and cougars move through the park.
- Quiet hours
- Generators and loud music are restricted in the campground; check the notice board at the entrance for current hours.check
- Pets
- Dogs must be leashed in the campground and day-use area and are not allowed on the swimming beach.
- Fishing
- A valid BC freshwater recreational licence is required; catch limits and gear rules change, so read the current regulations.
Where to stay
In the park
Horsefly Lake Campground
23 vehicle-accessible and walk-in sites, several lakefront, with outhouses, a boat launch and a picnic area; open mid-May to mid-September.
Near the park
Bed and breakfasts on Horsefly Lake
A handful of private B&Bs along the lake for people who do not want to camp.
Near the park
Horsefly village motel and lodges
Basic rooms about 15 minutes away, plus the Anvil Pub for food.
Safety
Wildfire smoke and closures medium
Bears and cougars medium
Cold lake water medium
Gravel road and wildlife on the drive low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- One pit toilet at the campground is wheelchair accessible.
- The day-use area, beach and picnic ground are close to parking with short, mostly level paths.
- The nature trail and the Viewland trail are dirt and root-covered; not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out everything, including food scraps; there is no garbage service at every site.
- Buy firewood locally rather than moving it, to avoid spreading invasive insects.
- Keep to the spawning-channel paths on the Horsefly River so you do not disturb the sockeye redds.
- Use the boat launch and existing shoreline tracks instead of cutting new paths through the cedar.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Horsefly Lake Provincial Park?
Nothing for day use — there is no entrance fee for the beach, picnic area or boat launch. Camping is the paid item: about $23–30 CAD per party per night in 2026, booked through the BC Parks camping system. A BC freshwater fishing licence is separate and required if you fish.
What are the best hikes in Horsefly Lake Provincial Park?
The park itself only has a short nature trail through the cedar and fir near the day-use area, 30–60 minutes. The better walk is the Viewland mountain trail, whose trailhead is off the Viewland forest service road past the park near the 20 km marker; it is not signed from the main road, so check the route first.
When is the best time to visit Horsefly Lake Provincial Park?
June to early September, when the campground is open and the lake is at its warmest. July and August are busiest on weekends and carry wildfire-smoke risk. Mid-September is the reason to come late: sockeye spawn in the Horsefly River channels outside the village, though the campground usually closes mid-month.
Do I need a reservation to camp?
Not always, but the lakefront sites are the popular ones and go first. Book online through the BC Parks camping system for July and August weekends, or arrive on a weekday and take a first-come site.
Can I swim and fish in Horsefly Lake?
Yes. There is a developed swimming beach at the day-use area and a boat launch for canoes, kayaks and small boats. The lake holds rainbow trout and lake trout; anyone fishing needs a valid BC freshwater recreational licence and must follow current catch limits.
How do I get to Horsefly Lake Provincial Park?
From Highway 97 at 150 Mile House, follow the Horsefly road about 65 km — roughly 55 km paved and 10 km well-maintained gravel — to the park turn-off. From Williams Lake it is about 1.5–2 hours. The nearest fuel, food and supplies are in Horsefly village, about 15 minutes away.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go