Recreation

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• Recreation Sites & Trials
• Recreation Brochure (pdf 4,638K)
• Recreation Guide Lines

Welcome to the Kootenay Lake District

This Website covers the Kootenay lake Forest District. The landscape of this area is dominated by steep rugged mountains with fast-flowing rivers and long narrow lakes, natural or man-made, lying in narrow forested valleys two mountain ranges are in the district, the Purcell Mountains east of the Kootenay Lake river system, and the Selkirk Mountains on the west. The Kootenays are in the Interior Wet Belt and receive precipitation levels second only to those of the coast. The climate is continental, with cool winters and warm summers, The alpine meadows and subalpine forests are snow free from mid-July through mid-October, but adverse weather may be expected year round.

Access to the area is provided by highway 3 from the east and west, by highway 6 and 31 from the north, and by highway 6,21, and 22 from the south.

The British Columbia Forest service

The B.C Forest Service is responsible for managing protecting and conserving the Province’s forest and range resources. It is committed to integrating the management of resources such as timber, range, recreation, water, fish and wildlife for present and future generations. This means some areas may be managed primarily for timber production while other areas are managed principally for non-timber uses, such as recreation, wildlife or water. The result is a mosaic of land uses and resource priorities which reflect optimal allocation and scheduling of resource uses in Provincial forests.

The B.C. Forest Service has produced this website to help you discover the many recreational opportunities it manages for your pleasure. The site also includes information and tips to make your outdoor experience safer and more pleasant. Enjoy your visit.

Forest Recreation

Forest recreation in B.C. involves dozens of activities, ranging from the passive enjoyment of scenery to the physically demanding challenges of mountaineering and kayaking. It also involves motorised activities such as snowmobiling and trail bike riding.

Since 1971, forest recreation has provided a unique opportunity for B.C. residents and tourists. Approximately two million people each year take advantage of the more than 1,200 recreation sites and thousands of kilometres of trails provided.

The sites are rustic and usually small (less than 10 vehicle units). They are located near lakes and rivers, blending In with the natural surroundings. Although these sites do not offer sophisticated amenities, such as power hook-ups and piped water, they include basic sanitary facilities, fire rings, picnic tables, and where appropriate, boat launch ramps.

The trails are typically narrow and unsurfaced. They vary widely In characteristics, such as length and suitability for motorized and non-motorized uses.

A number of government agencies are involved in management of forest recreation sites and trails. At the present time, the primary responsibility lies with the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and the Arts. However, the B.C. Forest Service continues to be involved.

Forest Etiquette

When using recreation sites and trails, please practise forest etiquette

• Be careful not to damage the vegetation.
• Use only dead and downed trees for firewood, bedding material or other uses. Do not cut live trees or their branches.
• Respect fire closures
• Use fire safely: build a campfire only in the fire ring and tend it carefully.
• Avoid dumping smouldering barbecue briquets except in designated fire rings.
• Use your ashtray, especially when driving along forest roads.
• Clean fish well away from your camp. Dispose of the entrails by puncturing the bladder and dropping in deep or rushing water. Alternately, burn the entrails thoroughly in a very hot fire.
• Empty sewage from your trailer or camper at sani-stations never along the road in or near water.
• Keep pets quiet, on a leash and under control.
• Avoid activities that may annoy or offend others.
• Leave the site tidy – It’s your property that you are keeping clean
• If litter barrels are not provided, take your litter and garbage with you. metal, plastic, and glass are unsightly and can cause serious harm if ingested or stepped on. They do not break down in the elements.

Forest road use

Although forest roads are often used by the public, they are built primarily for heavy industrial traffic. You should only travel on roads that your vehicle is equipped to handle. Forest roads have been classified according to the nature of the surface and the travel conditions that drivers can expect:

1. Paved roads – good in all weather
2. Gravel roads – good in all weather
3. Rough roads – gravel or dirt surface; passable with a four wheel drive
4. Very rough roads – gravel or dirt surface; passable with a four wheel drive

(These categories are used on the accompanying map.)

Road and travel conditions can change quickly according to weather, type of use and degree of maintenance. Further, some forest roads may be closed to the public during periods of industrial use or extreme fire hazard. Some roads my be gated to protect industrial equipment used in the area, if you are unaccustomed to back – road travel, unfamiliar with your route or if you intend to ravel during the winter, contact the nearest forest district for advice about travel conditions and possible read closures. Please note that not all forest roads are maintained during the winter months.

Safe driving tips

Travelling on forest roads is somewhat different from travelling on public highways. For your own safety, drive with extreme caution at all times.

• Check your vehicle, fuel and supplies before starting out.
• Obey all read signs
• Give logging and industrial traffic the right of way by moving to the nearest turn – out or pulling of the travelled right of way so far as possible.
• Allow overtaking traffic to pass.
• Drive with your lights on - -especially under dusty conditions - to make yourself more visible.
• Watch for fallen rock, downed trees, blind corners and animals on the road.
• Stay with your vehicle if you encounter dangerous wildlife, particularly those with young.
• Park well off the travelled portion of the road if you must stop along the way.

Protection from forest fires

Each year, human carelessness causes about half of all forest fires. An escaped campfire, a smouldering match or a cigarette butt can start fires that destroy thousands of hectares of beautiful - and valuable – forests, and risk life and property. These fires are preventable!

Frequent spells of hot, dry summer weather increase the risk of forest fire, During such times, the B.C Forest Service may restrict travel, burning, campfires and other activities in forest and range areas. Contact the nearest Forest District office to get further information.

Report forest fires

If you spot a forest fire, please phone 1-800-663-5555. This is the special toll free Provincial forest fire emergency number. Report the location, size, and behaviour of the fire.

Prevent forest fires

• Do not smoke while walking
• Stop for a smoke break
• Butt out on a rock or in the dirt
• Use your ashtray – especially when driving on forest roads.
• Request fire closures and other restrictions
• Build campfires only in fire rings
• Keep campfires as small as possible and don’t build one when winds are strong
• Tend your campfires at all times and extinguish it completely before you leave the site

Forest Vandalism

Most users of forest recreation sites and trails respect the natural environment and consider the rights of others. Unfortunately, a few engage in senseless acts of vandalism and thoughtless behaviour that spoil everyone’s enjoyment and damage the environment. Vandalism also costs money. Each year many thousands of your tax dollars must be spent to repair or replace damaged structures on sites and trails. This accounts for about 10% of the Recreation Program’s budget and takes money away from site and trail improvement and improvement and development. If you could put a dollar value on the loss of trees, soil or historic artifacts, the costs of vandalism would be even greater.

Why let someone rob you of your money and your enjoyment? You can play an active role in controlling vandalism. Whenever you see the " Wreckreators" in action, simply report the details to the RCMP or the nearest B.C. Forest Service office. With your help vandalism can be controlled.

Rules for the use of recreation sites and trails

Thousands of people visit our forests every day looking for places to hike, fish or camp. They bring with them a wide diversity of interests and needs. In order to meet the needs of as many people as possible, some common sense rules have been established under the Forest Practices Code of B.C.

Please remember….

1. Do

• Operate your vehicle or bicycle carefully, so you don’t damage facilities or natural resources;
• Park your vehicle or equipment so it doesn’t block any roads, sites, or trails;
• Keep your speed below 20 km/hr in the vicinity of recreation sites;
• Watch for children

2. Don’t

• Dispose of games offal at recreation sites;
• Set a trap or discharge a firearm, bow or cross bow at a recreation site;
• Discharge the contents of holding tank on a site or trail;
• Create a deliberate or unnecessary disturbance to other persons;
• Make noise that interferes with the enjoyment of other persons after 11pm

3. Pack out your garbage!

• If a container is provided, you may deposit garbage which has accumulated while using a site or trail.

4. Use of recreation sites.

You are not allowed to:

• Camp or leave equipment on recreation site for more than 14 consecutive days;
• Remove firewood;
• Erect a structure;
• Use a site or trail for a competitive sporting event;
• Use a site or trail for a commercial of industrial purpose;

See a forest official if you have needs that might warrant special permission

5. Pets

A person responsible for a pet must ensure the pet does not:

• Disturb other persons or animals; or
• Present a threat to other persons property or to the life or safety of other persons or animals.

The rules concerning the use of recreation sites, recreation trails and interpretative forest sites are established in Forest Recreation Regulation of the Forest Practices Code of B.C. Act. A person who contravenes these regulations commits an offence.