Babine Lake Marine Provincial Park


Babine Lake Marine Park is on Babine Lake, which borders the Skeena and Omineca regions of central British Columbia. This provincial park comprises six separate sites around the lake. Vehicle access to the lake, via BC Highway 16 and Nilkitkwa forestry service road, is by road about northeast of Smithers; via BC Highway 16 and Central Babine Lake Highway, is about east of Smithers; or via Babine Lake Road, is about northeast of Burns Lake.

Earlier Pendleton Bay

Pendleton Bay was named after a family who pre-empted around 1914. After World War II, logging activity expanded. Many First Nations people seeking employment relocated from along the lake. In the late 1940s, the federal government built a large wharf to handle freight traffic.
In 1950–51, the school opened. That decade, a two-room teacherage was erected. A general store and café operated.
In 1963, indigenous children were integrated into the provincial three-room school.
In 1971, the school closed.
That decade, the final sawmill closed. Nowadays, most residents are retired or seasonal occupants.

Park profile

The province established sites at Pendleton Bay in May 1993 and Smithers Landing in June 1993. Sites added in April 2001 were Sandpoint, Pierre Creek, Hook Bay, and Pinkut Creek. The combined total is.

Park facilities

The gravel logging road from Burns Lake to Pendleton Bay branches to Pinkut Creek. The former provides the only public boat launch on the lake. A fish hatchery borders the latter site. The remaining sites are accessible by water or hiking trail. Seasonal fishing for rainbow and lake trout is popular. The lake is suitable for canoes, kayaks, and motorboats. Sites have picnicking areas and generally accommodate camping.

Climate

Other protected areas on the lake