Bear Island Conservancy is a 317 hectare BC Parks conservancy on Babine Lake, about five kilometres north of Granisle and 60 kilometres east of Smithers. BC Parks says it includes about four kilometres of lakeshore and two islands, Bear and Cub.
Part of the conservancy was formerly a Forest Service recreation site.
Bear Island Conservancy is a Babine Lake camping and fishing site that remains vehicle-accessible, with boat landing opportunities and a wilderness setting. BC Parks says the campground is popular with people who enjoy fishing on Babine Lake, especially during the August sockeye fishery.
The activity list includes swimming, canoeing, fishing, birding, pets on leash, and hunting during open season. Babine Lake is large and cold, so swimming is usually limited to July and August. Boating is popular, but the lake can develop large waves quickly, and small boats should use caution away from shore.
There is no boat launch at the conservancy, but BC Parks notes a public boat launch at Granisle and good boat landing sites at the conservancy. The main wildlife viewing opportunity is birding along the lakeshore or on the islands.
Plan around vehicle-accessible camping, Babine Lake fishing, August sockeye season, boat landing, canoeing, swimming in July and August, birding, lakeshore photography, and hunting in season.
The campground road is steep gravel, and large RVs may have trouble leaving in some conditions. Bring drinking water, keep a clean campsite, review wildlife safety, check fishing rules, and confirm BC Parks updates.
