The Champion
Lakes are a series of three small lakes that form the headwaters of
Landis Creek, which flows northward to join Champion Creek, a tributary
of the Columbia River. This 1,408-hectare park sits at about 1,000
metres above sea-level, between the Columbia River and Beaver Creek
in the Bonnington Range of the Selkirk Mountains. The largest of the
three lakes (1,500 metres long) lies at the centre of the park, while
the two smaller lakes (800 metres long) lie in the east and west portions.
Surrounding vegetation is typical of the moist Interior cedar-hemlock
biogeoclimatic zone, including stands of alpine fir and yellow pine,
which do not normally grow in the same vicinity of each other. The
park provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including deer,
coyotes, black bears, porcupines, snowshoe hares, pikas and beavers.
Birdlife is just as diverse, with nighthawks, Canada jays, grouse,
belted kingfishers, woodpeckers, chickadees, western tanagers and
Oregon juncos. In the spring and fall, migrating waterfowl rest
on the Champion Lakes during their exhausting journeys north and
south.
Open May to September, Champion Lakes Provincial Park offers excellent
fishing, two beaches, many miles of hiking trails, weekend interpretation
programs, and an adventure playground.
There are some hiking trails connecting the lakes and leading
to the Lookout, offering views of the surrounding natural scenery.
Just outside the park are some trails that are suitable for mountain
biking in the summer, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in
the winter. A local Ski Club maintains tracks in the Park throughout
the winter months.
Canoeing and kayaking is popular on the lakes, but powerboats are
prohibited. 3rd lake boat launch is a single launch site with a
concrete plank ramp. It has a 15-vehicle boat/trailer parking area
and vehicles/trailers can be left over night. 2nd Lake boat launch
is a rustic, gravel single launch site with parking available above
the site. The site can accommodate 15 vehicles/boat trailers. Due
to its remoteness it is not recommended to leave vehicles/trailers
overnight.
A children’s playground is located at the west end of the third
lake. For those who like to get away from it all in a civilized
fashion, a golf course can be reached in five minutes.
The chain of three small lakes that make up the Champion Lakes
has been regularly stocked with rainbow trout since the 1930s, and
makes for very good fishing. Development is concentrated around
the third lake, which has deep, clear water and a regular shoreline.
The others remain in their natural states. The third and second
lakes have trout up to 10 inches (25 cm) in length, which will rise
to the fly or trolling spoon, and to the persistent angler, the
first lake will yield fish up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length.
There are 95 vehicle accessible sites, 13 of those are doubles.
There are no pull through sites however the campground has an even
mix of small to large sites and can accommodate large recreational
vehicles. Approximately 10 of the vehicle accessible sites have
tent pads with 8 sites designed for tenters only.. Basic facilities
and a sani-station are provided. Some facilities are wheelchair
accessible. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served
sites are also available. Campground Dates with Full Services and
Fees: May 15 - September 6. There are no pay phones in the park
and the closest store is in Fruitvale.
Champion Lakes Provincial Park is located in the Kootenays region
of British Columbia, 12.5 miles (20 km) northeast of Trail and 11
miles (18 km) northwest of Fruitvale, off Highway 3B, just west
of the junction with the Crowsnest Highway 3.