Ralph River Campground

Campgrounds in this park

• Buttle Lake Campground
• Croteau Lake backcountry groupsite
• Driftwood Bay groupsite
• Karst Creek groupsite
• Ralph River Campground
• Buttle Lake and Upper Campbell marine sites
• Elk River
• Paradise Meadows area
• Bedwell Lake and Baby Bedwell Lake

Activities the source lists

• Horseback riding
• Winter recreation
• Climbing
• Interpretive programs
• Hiking
• Pets on leash
• Wildlife viewing
• Fishing
• Hunting
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Waterskiing
• Canoeing
• Kayaking
• Windsurfing

Facilities as published

• Drinking water hand pumps are located at the Buttle Lake, Ralph River and Driftwood Bay campgrounds. In the backcountry, drinking water comes from a variety of sources. Boiling, treating or filtering surface water prior to consumption is recommended. Drinking water system reports Drinking water system report 2019: Buttle Lake campground [PDF] Drinking water system report 2019: Driftwood Bay group site [PDF] Drinking water system report 2019: Ralph River campground [PDF] Drinking water system report 2019: park service yard [PDF]
• Paradise Meadows Barrier-Free Centennial Trail [PDF] is an easily accessible sub-alpine trail which is suitable for everyone. Strathcona Park TrailRider wheelchair program BC Parks, in partnership with The Strathcona Wilderness Institute, now offers a Strathcona Park TrailRider program [PDF] , based out of the Strathcona Park wilderness centre at Paradise Meadows trailhead (adjacent to Mount Washington’s nordic lodge). The one wheel unit, best described as a cross between a rickshaw and wheelchair, now makes it possible for everyone (seniors, disabled, or others with mobility restrictions) to access the spectacular backcountry of Strathcona Park’s Forbidden Plateau area. Additional accessibility information Wheelchair-accessible facilities are available at the Driftwood Bay group site, Buttle Lake campground (pit toilets only), Elk Portal entrance (pit toilets only). The Crest Creek day-use area offers wheelchair-accessible picnic tables and a pit toilet. The new Paradise Meadows trailhead at Mt Washington now offers a wheelchair-accessible trail that is suitable for most types of wheelchairs and battery powered scooters. More accessibility information is available for these areas of the park: Buttle Lake Driftwood Bay groupsite Elk Portal Elk viewing area Ladyfalls Trail Ralph River
• An adventure playground is located at the Buttle Lake campground.
• There are a wide range of picnic and day-use opportunities throughout this park. Picnic and day-use facilities are available at Elk Portal, Buttle Lake boat launch, Lupin Falls, Auger Point, Lady Falls and Crest Lake. Please refer to online maps for more details on locations. Paradise Meadows is a popular day-use area although no picnic tables are available. This area offers a variety of trails suitable for day hikes.
• Two boat-launching ramps are located on Buttle Lake at the Buttle Lake boat launch and the Karst Creek boat launch. Boaters should exercise extreme caution at all times because the lake is a reservoir and submerged stumps may be encountered, particularly close to shore. Boaters must keep clear of swimming areas.
• The Strathcona Wilderness Institute (SWI) in partnership with BC Parks, provides a park information service during the summer months. SWI operates information huts both at the Paradise Meadows trailhead and parking lot (adjacent to the Mount Washington alpine resort, raven lodge) and at the Buttle Lake, old park headquarters site (east side of lake, just south of the Highway 28, Gold River intersection). Visit SWI website for information about the programs they offer and annual operating hours.
• Pit toilets are located at designated camping, day-use sites and trailheads throughout Strathcona Park.
• Due to new regulations, fires are now only permitted in Strathcona Park where facilities (a steel fire ring) are provided for campfires. No open fires are allowed in any of the backcountry areas. In the areas where fires are allowed (steel campfire rings are provided at each campsite in the Buttle Lake and Ralph River campgrounds), we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. Firewood can be purchased from the park operator at the Buttle Lake and Ralph River campgrounds. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. 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. During a campfire ban, propane fire pit rentals are available at Ralph River and Buttle Lake Campgrounds, and Karst Creek and Driftwood Bay groupsites. Visitors can use the booking system for reserving firewood and propane firepits in advance, and for arranging their delivery.

Camping information as published

• Backcountry camping is allowed year-round. No fee is charged during the winter. Please camp near toilet facilities where possible and follow Leave No Trace camping ethics. Campfires are not allowed in the backcountry areas of this park, so bring a portable stove for cooking.
• Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre , located 5km east of the park entrance at Buttle Lake, offers accommodation as well as outdoor education and wilderness skills training. Croteau Lake backcountry group site includes a yurt facility for day-use. It is available only to camping groups with a reservation for use of the group site. See group camping for details.
• Wilderness camping is allowed in some areas of the park. There are no fees for these areas and few or no facilities are provided. Wilderness camping is not allowed within 1 km of main roads or in designated fee collection areas.
• There are three group campsites in the park: Driftwood Bay group site, located on Buttle Lake, offers exclusive group camping with wheelchair-accessible pit toilets and a covered picnic shelter. This site is available by reservation only. Croteau Lake backcountry group site (hike in only, no vehicle access) offers 12 tent pads and a day-use yurt facility. This site is available by reservation only. Croteau Lake brochure [PDF] Karst Creek group site, located near the south end of Buttle Lake (near Ralph River campground), offers exclusive group camping with picnic tables, fire pits, wheelchair-accessible pit toilets, and direct access to the lake shore. The site is also immediately adjacent to a public boat launch. This site is available by reservation only. Note: campers should be self-sustaining. There is no drinking water (well) on site at this time. Well water can be obtained from Ralph River campground, located approximately 3km south. Nightly group camping fees Group camping $80 base fee $5 per adult (16+) for minimum 15 adults $1 per youth (6-15) Free for children under 6 Youth group camping $1 per person for minimum 12 people $50 minimum, $150 maximum To qualify for youth group camping, your party must be associated with a school, recreation centre, or non-profit youth organization located in B.C. To learn more, see the group camping page. A $20 fee is added for anyone who is not a B.C. resident. For more information, visit the non-resident fee section of the camping fees page.
• No camping is allowed in any day-use area within Strathcona Park, including the Crest Creek Crags and Crest Lake day-use areas. Camping is not allowed at trailheads or on Buttle Lake outside of designated marine sites. Anyone camping in these areas is subject to eviction and/or charges under the Park, Conservancy, and Recreation Area Regulation . There are designated backcountry sites along the Bedwell Lake trail (Bedwell and Baby Bedwell Lakes), Elk River trail, Della Falls trail, and the Paradise Meadows (Forbidden Plateau) core area trails. Lake Helen Mackenzie, Kwai Lake, and Circlet Lake campgrounds are accessed from the Paradise Meadows trailhead. Most sites offer pit toilets and food caches. For campground maps, see maps and location . Fees You must register for a backcountry camping permit to camp along the Bedwell Lakes/Cream Lake trail, Elk River trail, and in the Paradise Meadows (Forbidden Plateau) core area. There are no fees for these areas in the winter season. There are no fees for backcountry camping on the Della Falls trail, at Douglas or McKenzie Lakes, Margaret Creek, Sawblade Camp, or Falls Camp. For fee collection area maps, see maps and location . Register for your backcountry permit online before you arrive at camping.bcparks.ca . Backcountry camping (per night) $10 per adult (16+) $5 per youth (6-15) Free for children under 6 A $20 fee is added for anyone who is not a B.C. resident. For more information, visit the non-resident fee section of the camping fees page. Backcountry camping rules Fires are not permitted in the backcountry Campers must use designated camping sites in these areas Free-standing tents are recommended as many locations have tent pads and pegging your tent may not be an option If all designated campsites full and you are unable to hike to the next campground, check with the park operator. If no operator is available, you are allowed to camp in a non-designated site for one night only while practicing Leave No Trace ethic
• No camping is allowed in any day-use area within Strathcona Park, including the Crest Creek Crags and Crest Lake day-use areas. Anyone contravening this regulation is committing an offence and is subject to eviction and charges under the park, conservancy, and recreation area regulation . Buttle Lake campground offers 85 vehicle accessible campsites set in a second-growth Douglas fir forest. Buttle Lake has a developed sandy beach. Some sites are located right on the lakeshore. Campsite reservations are accepted. The campsites at Buttle Lake are by reservation only. If campsites are not reserved they may be used as first come, first served on a nightly basis. There is no overflow camping available. Ralph River campground, located 35km south of Buttle Lake along the Buttle Lake (Western Mines road) offers 75 vehicle accessible campsites set amongst towering old-growth Douglas fir. The campsites at Ralph River are by reservation only. If campsites are not reserved they may be used as first come, first served on a nightly basis. There is no overflow camping available. Frontcountry camping fees (per party) Peak season rate $29 per night Shoulder season rate $20 per night $14.50 per night (B.C. seniors’ rate) Winter season rate $11 per night $11 per night (B.C. seniors’ rate) Non-resident fee $20 per stay Additional fees apply for reservations. For more information on fees and on qualifying for different rates, visit the camping fees page.
• There are four boat-in backcountry campgrounds on Buttle Lake. Titus (4 sites) Wolf River (4 sites) Phillips Creek (5 sites) Rainbow Island (5 sites) The is one campground on Upper Campbell Lake. All sites have tent pads and tables. Campfires are allowed in the fire rings only. Campfires are not allowed anywhere else in the backcountry. Launch boats at Buttle Lake or Karst Creek boat launches. Kayaks and canoes can also launch at Lupin Falls and Auger Point day-use areas. Fees You must register for a backcountry camping permit to use marine sites. Self-registration fee stations (cash only) are located at boat launches and day-use areas. You can also register online before you arrive at camping.bcparks.ca . Marine-accessible camping (per night) $10 per adult (16+) $5 per youth (6-15) Free for children under 6 A $20 fee is added for anyone who is not a B.C. resident. For more information, visit the non-resident fee section of the camping fees page.

Official maps

Source confidence

Low

Confidence describes how well the ingested sources agree for this record. Verification is a separate state: Unverified.