Old Man Lake Park is about 20 kilometres east of Houston in west-central British Columbia. BC Parks says the park includes Old Man Lake, Beaver Lake, part of McBreirie Lake, and the land surrounding and connecting the lakes.
The park is an ecologically significant complex of small lakes, marshy shorelines, wetlands, and south-facing grasslands.
Old Man Lake is strongest for birding, wildlife viewing, canoeing, and quiet wetland observation. Abundant aquatic vegetation makes the area an important feeding area for migratory birds, with locally rare breeding populations of black tern and yellow-headed blackbird. Trumpeter swans breed in the park, American bitterns have been heard in the area, and peregrine falcons have been observed near Old Man Lake and China Nose.
Old skid trails in the eastern part of the park provide some hiking through young pine forest and views over Beaver Lake toward China Nose Mountain. Canoeing can be a day trip, but water levels were reduced after dam infrastructure outside the park was removed, so access may be difficult.
Canoe if water levels allow, hike old skid trails, fish with the proper licence, watch migratory birds, look for moose and deer on grasslands, hunt during open seasons, and study wetland and marsh habitat.
Bring drinking water because potable water is not available. There are no beaches, and marshy shorelines make swimming difficult. Bring lifejackets and throwbags for paddling. Access uses Heading Creek Forest Service Road, Chapman Road, and a private-road turnoff; respect adjacent landowners and leash pets.
