Carp Lake Park is a BC Parks fishing and camping destination about two hours northwest of Prince George, near the centre of British Columbia. BC Parks says the park has long been famous for rainbow trout and offers some of the best fishing in the Central Interior.
The park includes Carp Lake, War Lake, smaller lakes and streams, and the waterway that begins the McLeod River.
Carp Lake blends family campground amenities with a wilderness fishing and boating setting. Two main campgrounds provide 102 maintained campsites, and the Carp Lake campground includes a picnic shelter, horseshoe pits, and an adventure playground.
Anglers are the core audience. Carp Lake's fishery depends on natural reproduction rather than stocking, and BC Parks encourages catch and release. The lake's islands, bays, coves, and secluded shorelines suit canoeing, kayaking, boating, and island marine-access camping.
There are also short hikes. A three kilometre interpretive loop from the main campground follows part of the original Indigenous route to Fort McLeod and gives access to Rainbow Lake and McLeod River fly fishing. War Lake campground provides a short walk to War Falls, two cascades separated by about 100 metres of rushing water.
Plan around rainbow trout fishing, island camping, canoeing, kayaking, boating, sandy beaches, swimming, War Falls, the interpretive loop trail, Rainbow Lake, McLeod River fly fishing, winter ice fishing, and road cycling.
Carp Lake is isolated, with supplies 32 kilometres away at McLeod Lake. Drive gravel forest roads cautiously, expect industrial traffic, watch high winds and rough water, and bring self-sufficient supplies.
