Syringa Provincial Park

We will welcome campers  to Syringa late April 2023 with a mix of reserved and first come, first serve sites.  Please obey all in park signs, limit your campsite to 8 people total 24/7, work to maintain physical distancing, frequently wash your hands and most of all, be kind to all.

Important Notice:  Until further notice, due to aging infrastructure Syringa campground and day use area is under a Boil Water Advisory. The tap water should not be used for drinking, making infant formula, juices, cooking, making ice, washing fruits, vegetables or brushing teeth.  For these purposes, boiled or treated or bottled water should be used.  Alternatively, boiling water destroys all disease causing microorganisms (pathogens) and is considered safe to drink after cooling. Water should be brought to a rapid rolling boil for 1 minute prior to consuming.  Campers may take showers with untreated water – please direct younger children not to drink the shower water.   We apologize for the inconvenience.

Bighorn Campground now has electrically serviced RV sites #62 – 70 with 30 & 50 amp on sites 62 to 68 and 30 amp to 69 & 70.   All electrical sites may be reserved through Discover Camping, a $7 surcharge applies.  Firewood available on site $10 for a generous basket.

The Sturgeon Point Group Site is located in the Boat Launch area can comfortably fit up to 5 trailers with trucks and 5 tents up on the second level.  Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance by clicking through the link above to the BC Parks Reservation Services.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact the RAP Park Contracting directly at 250.365.6945

Syringa Provincial Park is a 19 Kms, 25 minute drive from Castlegar, British Columbia and is 10 minutes past the Hugh Keenleyside Dam on Broadwater Road, a paved highway. Nestled between the Monashee and the Selkirk mountain ranges the park encompasses
4417 hectares. It is situated at the southeast end on the shores of the Lower Arrow Lake, a part of the Columbia River that was widened and deepened with the construction of the Hugh Keenleyside Dam at Castlegar. Recreation opportunities on the Arrow
Lake Reservoir have made the park a long-time popular destination and offer a comfortable base camp for the family to pursue a variety of recreational pursuits including fishing, boating and swimming.

The park protects not only provincially significant interior Douglas-fir forests but also preserves one of the few remaining examples of grassland ecosystems in the Kootenays. A variety of wildlife are at home in the park including, elk, deer and a herd of rocky mountain bighorn sheep that can often be observed grazing on the many rock bluffs. Opportunities for nature appreciation occur all year making this park a destination in every season.

Local Places to Explore:

The Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre – 1995 6th Ave. Castlegar 250.365.6313 or toll free: 1.888.365.6313.

The Castlegar & District Community Complex  – 2101 6th Avenue, Castlegar  1. 250.365.3386 A multi-purpose facility that houses an arena, a 6 lane/25 meter pool and leisure pool, whirlpool, weight room, fitness studio, Adjacent to
the facility are four tennis courts, soccer/football field, ball diamond and skate boarding park.

Brilliant Suspension Bridge – Built in 1913 the 100 meters long Brilliant Suspension bridge connected the Doukhobor Villages with their agricultural land. As part of the Trans Canada Trail the bridge is open for foot traffic and offers
a bird’s- eye view of the Kootenay River.

Canadian Pacific Railway Museum – One of the best preserved CPR station houses the local museum is filled with antique treasures, memorabilia, a real caboose, gift shop and news archives.
Be sure to allow enough time to stroll the beautiful grounds.

Kootenay Art Gallery – Explore a diverse collection of exhibits and works by local and international artists. The grounds are well maintained and feature a working sundial.

Doukhbour Village Museuma> – Open from May to September the Doukhobor Discovery Center will introduce you to the culture and heritage of the original settlement with over 1000
artifacts to showcase the pioneer’s spirit.

Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park – Take a walk around this historic island park and discover a heritage of human and natural history unique within the Columbia
River valley. Your visit will take you back several thousands of years when the Lakes Salish Indian people first fished and built their winter pit houses here; almost 200 years ago when David Thompson canoed down the Columbia past this island; and
80+ years ago when Alexander Zuckerberg built his unique Russian Orthodox Chapel House. There are over five acres of open woods and a variety of paths to explore. You may select from many picnic tables and benches for lunch and relaxation

Other local attractions worth a visit – The Hugh Keenleyside Dam, the Mir Centre for Peace, the Verigin Memorial Park and a busy summer schedule of Festivals, Farmers Markets and Fairs.

Natural & Cultural Values

History

The Park was named for Syringa Creek, which flows into the Lower Arrow Lake near the park’s eastern or southeastern boundary. The “Syringa” or Mock Orange is a shrub which is indigenous to the area. It blooms in early spring showing clusters of white
flowers with bright yellow stamens that emit a powerful, pleasing fragrance. First established in 1968 to provide recreational opportunities, the park was increased to its present size in 1995 to protect a provincially significant ecosystem.

Wildlife

– A herd of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep frequent the southern facing slopes above the Lower Arrow Lake, as do White-tailed deer, Mountain Goats, Rocky Mountain Elk and Bears. Park users should always be aware of wildlife in our natural park environment
and never feed or approach bears or other wild animals, please view from a safe distance. The best way to avoid incidents with wildlife is always look ahead on the trails for wildlife, make noise; talk to your friends, or sing your favorite song, make
your presence known. When sightings occur, take a detour and leave the area immediately.

– To avoid potential problems with bears, lock your food in your vehicle at night. Be sure to use the garbage containers provided and maintain a clean campsite.

– Before venturing into the park please take a few minutes to review the Wild life Guidelines laid out by BC Parks. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/wild_gen.html

View wildlife safely by following a simple code of Conservation Ethics:

– Be considerate of Wildlife… use binoculars to view from a distance rather than approaching them to closely.

– Be considerate of Habitat… Plants are important habitat for wildlife, please do not damage, pick, or trample and please stay on the designated trails.

– Please control pets by keeping dogs on a leash and under voice control at all times in order to protect wildlife and preserve their habitat.

Park Size: 1,426 hectares

Campsites & User Fees

Camping Fee per party / night including one vehicle $26* Total number of sites 86 Parking: Second vehicle $12* *Seniors Rate (65 years +) 50% of posted rate offered from park opening until June 15 and Sept. 8th until Sept. 30th) Visitor Services: Firewood per basket $10 Group Camping at Sturgeon Point – Max. 50 people Youth Group $50.00 base rate plus $1.00 per head to a max of $100 per night. Adult Group – $120 base rate, plus $5 per adult, per night, $1 per youth under 15 years per night.

Reservations

A full listing of our 71 reservable campsites can be viewed at: https://camping.bcparks.ca/or by Phone: 1-800-689-9025. Bookings can only be made up to 60 days in advance of arrival. Our non-reservable sites are available on a first come, first served basis and cannot be held for guests that have not yet arrived to the park.

Camping Policy

Camping Party Definition Party size for one vehicle accessible campsite. One to four persons 16 years of age or older. At least one member of the camping party MUST be 16 years or older. A maximum of eight persons including children (15 years of age and younger). Campsite maximum is one camping party per site, unless otherwise authorized. Vehicles per Camping Party A camping party may arrive at the campsite with one of the following: a. Motor vehicle not designed as an accommodation for camping, e.g., car, truck, SUV, non-camperized van, motorcycle. b. Motor vehicle towing a trailer designed as an accommodation for camping, e.g., 5th wheel, travel trailer, tent trailer. c. Recreational vehicle (RV), e.g., motor home, camperized truck/van.- a RV with a legally towed motor vehicle; or – Motor vehicle or RV towing a trailer not designed as an accommodation for camping, e.g. utility/cargo, or boat trailer. A camping party may also include a tent or tents, if suitably accommodated on the campsite pad. A camping party may be allowed a 2nd motor vehicle not designed as an accommodation for camping on the campsite for an additional ½ of the camping fee.

Facilities Available

Boat Launch There are two large B.C. Hydro boat launches with day-use parking lot suitable for daily storage of boat trailers.At the entry to the campground the Gatehouse is open during the peak periods of the camping season. There is a Camp Host on duty 5-7 days per week with a well supplied information kiosk situated at the entrance to the campsite. Our knowledgeable Park Staff are on duty at all times, should you require assistance please ask. Gatehouse phone number 1.250.365.6945

Campfires & Firewood

Campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite. Firewood can be purchased in the park for $9 per bundle. You may bring your own wood but it is not recommended that firewood be transported from area to area due to the potential to spread invasive insects and disease that can be contained in the bark. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented in the event of a high fire hazard over the hot summer months. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.

Drinking Water

Cold well water is available for cooking and drinking. Four water taps are randomly located in the campground, with two each at both the day-use/picnic area and boat launch. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

Picnic Area & Playgrounds

Syringa has three day-use/picnic areas. As the park is on a reservoir, the water does fluctuate from spring through fall. The water level is low in May, rises in June and is at full pond for July, August and September. The upper portion of the beach is sand with the lower portion rocky, which is mostly exposed at low water. The main picnic area is located NW of the campground along the lake. The beach is 250 metres long with 30 picnic tables located on a raised partially shaded grassy terrace in front of the beach. A new toilet/change house with showers, 2 pit toilets and water taps are available for day users. This day-use/picnic area is the largest in the park, with a paved parking lot. As indicated by its name Boat Launch day-use/picnic area with its 150 metre beach, 6 picnic tables and 4 pit toilets can be found at the boat launch in the south end of the park just past the park entrance.There are fire rings in this area. Camping day-use/picnic area is located in front of the campground and is primarily used by campers. The beach is 50 metres long and has 7 tables. The campground washrooms and water taps are nearby. This day-use/picnic area has the only adventure playground in the park.

Pets on Leash

Dogs accompanied by responsible owners are welcome at Syringa Creek Park. However, we ask that you help us protect our wildlife and ensure the park is a safe and pleasant environment for all visitors by adhering to the following Canine Code of Conduct. 1. Please keep your dog under control. Whether walking on the roadways, trails or in your campsite, dogs must be on a leash at all times. 2. Scoop your dogs poop as it is unpleasant for other park users, unhygienic and causes serious ecological damage to plant and animal communities. Dog waste should be placed in a tightly sealed bag and either taken home or deposited into one of the many garbage bins around the park. 3. Respect wildlife and their habitat, the park is their home. Keep your dog off the main beach area and out of streams, creeks, ponds, wetlands and shorelines. A variety of wildlife lives in these areas including fish, frogs, western painted turtles, salamanders and birds. 4. Keep your dog from digging and causing damage to vegetation and nesting habitat. 5. Unruly and noisy dogs cause disturbance to other park users. Please consider that other park users may not be as fond of dogs and that some people- especially small children- can find dogs intimidating.

Sani-Station / Dump

A sani-station/dump is available in the park and is located just past the entrance into the camping area. There is a $5.00 fee for using the dump which helps the park pay for the disposal.

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