Summer in Prince George: lakes, fishing, paddling, camping

Prince George summers are short but generous. Days are long, afternoons are warm and the surrounding plateau is scattered with lakes. Within an hour’s drive you can swim off a sandy beach, cast for trout from a canoe or fall asleep in a lakeside campground. Here is where to go.

What summer is like

The July average high at the airport is about 22.6°C, with warm spells above 30°C most summers, and nights that cool to around 9°C. June and July bring the most rain, often as short afternoon thunderstorms. At the end of June the sun is up for about 17 hours. See the climate guide and check the weather dashboard before you head out.

Lakes within an hour

Lake	Distance	Best for	Notes
West Lake	22 km southwest	Swimming, picnics, paddling	Provincial day-use park with beach and boat launch; motorboats kept outside marked zone
Tabor Lake	Just east of the city	Paddling, fishing	Close to Tabor Mountain off Highway 16
Ness Lake	35 km northwest	Family beach day	Regional park with beach, swimming area, picnic tables, boat launch
Eskers lakes	40 km northwest	Canoeing, quiet fishing, hiking	Provincial day-use park, no motorized access
Bednesti Lake	About 45 min west	Fishing	Natural rainbow trout, whitefish, burbot and lake trout; launch at south end
Purden Lake	64 km east	Camping, beach, fishing	Provincial campground; stocked kokanee and rainbow trout
Summit Lake	North on Highway 97	Scenery, history	Sits on the Pacific–Arctic drainage divide

West Lake Provincial Park

The closest provincial park to the city, on the Blackwater Road. It is day-use only, with a beach, picnic tables, fire pits, a group picnic area and a swimming area marked by floats (the bottom drops off abruptly). There is a boat launch, but motorboats must stay beyond the orange shore markers. Trails loop through the forest and are used for snowshoeing in winter.

Ness Lake Regional Park

A regional park about 35 km northwest via Highway 97 and Chief Lake Road, with a beach and designated swimming area, change houses, picnic tables, fire pits and a boat launch. It is a favourite family day trip.

Purden Lake Provincial Park

About 64 km east on Highway 16, Purden is the go-to campground for Prince George families. It has a beach and day-use area, a separate boaters’ beach and a dog beach, lakeside walking trails and a boat launch. The lake is stocked each year with kokanee and rainbow trout, and also holds wild burbot. Be aware that Purden can whip up sudden, strong winds and whitecaps. Book sites through BC Parks reservations.

Eskers Provincial Park

For quiet water, head to Eskers, 40 km northwest. Its small lakes are ideal for canoes and kayaks, and Camp and Kathie lakes hold rainbow and brook trout, with kokanee in Camp Lake. Trails wind along gravel ridges left by the ice age. It is day-use only, with no fires or motors.

Fishing

The Omineca region around Prince George offers some of the most accessible lake fishing in BC.

• Licence: Anglers 16 and older need a BC freshwater fishing licence, available online.
• Species: Rainbow trout and kokanee are the most common targets; brook trout, lake trout, whitefish and burbot are found in some lakes.
• Stocking: The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC stocks many local lakes; its website lists what was stocked where.
• Rivers: River fishing has specific rules and closures, especially for salmon, sturgeon and bull trout. Always check current regulations.
• Ice fishing: Many of the same lakes are popular in winter.

Paddling

• Lakes such as West Lake, Tabor Lake and the Eskers lakes are perfect for canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.
• Rivers. The Nechako and Fraser offer scenic paddles, but they are cold, fast and full of debris during freshet. Paddle them only with experience, a plan for take-out, and ideally with a local club or outfitter. Check the rivers dashboard for current levels.
• Bigger trips. The famous Bowron Lake canoe circuit is about three hours away. See day trips.

Camping

• Purden Lake Provincial Park is the nearest large provincial campground.
• Many recreation sites on Crown land offer rustic camping on smaller lakes; check Recreation Sites and Trails BC.
• Farther afield, provincial parks near Fort St. James, Vanderhoof and the Robson Valley make great weekend destinations.

Other summer highlights

• Huble Homestead, 40 km north, a historic farm and trading post open in summer, and the Giscome Portage trail.
• BC Northern Exhibition in August, the city’s big summer fair since 1912.
• Berry picking: wild blueberries, raspberries and saskatoons ripen in mid to late summer.
• Evening walks on the Heritage River Trail, when the light lasts past 10 p.m. in June.

Summer safety

• Wildfire and smoke. Check campfire bans and fire status with BC Wildfire Service, and watch the wildfire and air quality dashboards.
• Water. Wear a lifejacket when boating; lakes stay cold below the surface.
• Wildlife. Store food properly when camping in bear country.
• Bugs. Mosquitoes and blackflies peak in June; bring repellent.

Related

• Parks and trails
• Day trips from Prince George
• Geography and rivers