Big Bar Lake Park is a BC Parks site in the southern Cariboo, about 42 kilometres northwest of Clinton. BC Parks says it is reached from Highway 97 by travelling eight kilometres north of Clinton, then about 34 kilometres by gravel road.
The park has been a popular family camping destination since its establishment in 1969.
Big Bar Lake is a lakeside camping, beach, hiking, fishing, and wildlife-viewing park set against a mountainous Cariboo backdrop. BC Parks lists day-use picnicking, lakeside camping, boating, canoeing, swimming, hiking, wildlife viewing, and fishing.
The park has 25 newer lakeside campsites plus a large beachside day-use area. The Otter Marsh self-guided interpretive trail is 3.5 kilometres, while BC Parks also references a four kilometre wetland hiking trail where visitors often see wildlife.
Fishing for rainbow trout is a major draw because the lake is stocked annually. BC Parks says fishing is typically best from mid-May to late July, and nearby Little Big Bar Lake and Beaverdam Lake are also popular for fishing.
The wider area includes guest ranches, the historic Gang Ranch, the Jesmond Loop scenic drive, Little Big Bar Lake, the historic Jesmond townsite, and Jesmond fire lookout access by narrow four-wheel-drive road.
Plan around lakeside camping, beach swimming, day-use picnics, canoeing, kayaking, annual-stocked rainbow trout fishing, Otter Marsh hiking, birdwatching, Cariboo wildlife viewing, road cycling, and Jesmond Loop side trips.
Waterskiing is not permitted. Motor vehicles are restricted to roads and parking areas, ATVs and off-road motorcycles are prohibited, dogs are not allowed in day-use or beach areas, and BC Parks updates should be checked.
