Birkenhead Lake Park is a BC Parks site in the Sea to Sky region, 22 kilometres west of D'Arcy, 90 kilometres north of Whistler, and 145 kilometres north of Squamish. Access uses Highway 99, the D'Arcy turnoff, and a 17 kilometre gravel road to the lake.
The park was established in 1963 and later expanded to protect more of the Sockeye Creek watershed.
Birkenhead Lake is a lakeside camping park with cold-water swimming, paddling, fishing, hiking, cycling, windsurfing, and winter skiing or snowshoeing. BC Parks says old-growth forest, subalpine and alpine environments, and large and small lakes contribute to its diversity.
Trail options include the two kilometre Wilderness Trail through old-growth forest, the eight kilometre Birkenhead Lake Trail to the south end of the lake, and the one kilometre Goat Lookout Trail, which can offer lake views and seasonal mountain goat sightings. The Wilderness and Birkenhead Lake trails cross a rock debris avalanche path about one kilometre from the trailhead.
Fishing is good for kokanee and rainbow trout. BC Parks says bull trout must be released and notes they are on the endangered species list. Canoe rentals are available on site, but sudden strong winds can affect the lake.
Plan around lakeside camping, cold-water beach swimming, canoeing, kayaking, kokanee and rainbow trout fishing, Wilderness Trail, Birkenhead Lake Trail, Goat Lookout, cycling, windsurfing, skiing, and snowshoeing.
Bears are very active. Gate and quiet hours are 10 pm to 7 am, generators have limited hours, and trail crossings can be hazardous during rain or spring snowmelt. Confirm reservations and BC Parks updates.
