E.C Manning Provincial Park
E.C Manning Provincial Park
4.5
About
E. C. Manning Provincial Park is a focus of outdoor recreation that is unique in British Columbia. Located in the heart of the Cascade Mountains, it is within a three hour drive from either the Lower Mainland (Vancouver) or the Okanagan. The climate and geography have combined to make this park an all-season recreation area. There are 4 provincial front-country campgrounds within the park, and multiple backcountry campsites. Within E.C. Manning Provincial Park, there are incredible hiking trails, and multi-purpose trails for biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country ski and back-country trails in the winter. The park contains a large number of scenic, historic, floral and fauna attractions with opportunities for fishing, paddling and bird watching. E.C. Manning Park protects over 70 000 hectares of diversified terrain varying from the towering cedar rainforest of Sumallo Grove to the rare 2000+ year old Subalpine Larch forest on Mount Frosty.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Sandra B
152 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
We stayed at Mule Deer campground. I would recommend camping here if you can be next to the river. The campground is right along the highway and there are sites that sit right next to the road. The sound of the river does help drown out the road noise.
The campsites are nice size. They are fairly open to each other so great for families on adjoining sites. Sites 32, 34 are shady with good view of the river, site 36 is sunny and above the river but also with great views. Site 38 is sunny and the vegetation blocks most of the view of the river. Some sites have tent pads (32 and 34) but some require you to setup a tent on gravel. Site 34's sloppy driveway makes it unsuitable for rv or trailers.
The two flush toilets, dish washing station and water faucet worked well by our sites. Don't know about the other side of the loop.
Mule deer was further away from the Manning resort area then we thought it would be, but it's only about a 5-minute drive. Free Wi-Fi outside the restaurant at the resort center can come in handy as there is no cell service at the campground.
Separate from the Manning resort area, the visitors center is staffed by knowledgeable people who can help with hiking recommendations.
The day use area at Lightning Lake is full of ground squirrels (fun for the kids) and has a nice easy hike around the lake.
We drove through Hampton campground and the sites look very private with lots of plants and trees around the sites. This campground also sites right off the highway but does add showers to the amenities.
The drive on the road across from the resort area is well worth taking. Beautiful views and optional hikes.
The campsites are nice size. They are fairly open to each other so great for families on adjoining sites. Sites 32, 34 are shady with good view of the river, site 36 is sunny and above the river but also with great views. Site 38 is sunny and the vegetation blocks most of the view of the river. Some sites have tent pads (32 and 34) but some require you to setup a tent on gravel. Site 34's sloppy driveway makes it unsuitable for rv or trailers.
The two flush toilets, dish washing station and water faucet worked well by our sites. Don't know about the other side of the loop.
Mule deer was further away from the Manning resort area then we thought it would be, but it's only about a 5-minute drive. Free Wi-Fi outside the restaurant at the resort center can come in handy as there is no cell service at the campground.
Separate from the Manning resort area, the visitors center is staffed by knowledgeable people who can help with hiking recommendations.
The day use area at Lightning Lake is full of ground squirrels (fun for the kids) and has a nice easy hike around the lake.
We drove through Hampton campground and the sites look very private with lots of plants and trees around the sites. This campground also sites right off the highway but does add showers to the amenities.
The drive on the road across from the resort area is well worth taking. Beautiful views and optional hikes.
Written July 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kapitanfind-us
Canada44 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We tried many places around Vancouver for cross country skiing but we fell in love with Manning Park.
There are many many places to explore, some groomed and therefore paid and some not (on Lightning Lake you can make your own tracks).
The beauty is that this place receive a lot of snow until pretty much the end of March and it is mostly flat.
There are many many places to explore, some groomed and therefore paid and some not (on Lightning Lake you can make your own tracks).
The beauty is that this place receive a lot of snow until pretty much the end of March and it is mostly flat.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarriedAnd-Over-50
Mission, Canada1,463 contributions
Jul 2019
This park is very close to my heart. One of the first family holidays when my child was a baby was to Manning Park.
It is over 83,000 hectares of Beautiful British Columbia. Just fantastic! In the heart of the cascade mountains. You can go for a short walk or a 6 days walk. There are several campgrounds. The air is just delicious, clean and crisp. We take our kayaks and go for pleasure easy rides.
I feel so much at home in Manning Park. It is so familiar.
We love to go to the Okenagan Valley and we always look forward to a couple of says camping at Manning Park
It is over 83,000 hectares of Beautiful British Columbia. Just fantastic! In the heart of the cascade mountains. You can go for a short walk or a 6 days walk. There are several campgrounds. The air is just delicious, clean and crisp. We take our kayaks and go for pleasure easy rides.
I feel so much at home in Manning Park. It is so familiar.
We love to go to the Okenagan Valley and we always look forward to a couple of says camping at Manning Park
Written March 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
c r
2 contributions
May 2023
We camped at Mule Deer campground May 2023, the price was good and the camp site was exceptional, nice and private & right along side the Similkameen river. I think we were one of only four in the whole campground & a few days before the long weekend. They do offer reservations as well as a first come first serve system. However, there was no water available from the taps at the campground when we were there. The sign on the water tap said it is not available due to vandalism. And the washrooms were all locked and unavailable when we were there. Be prepared if you're tenting !!
Written May 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
awacsgal2016
Chilliwack, Canada63 contributions
Jul 2020
Plenty of great trails that are fairly well marked except when you are at some intersections! We did The Falls and Lightning Lakes trails. There are no benches along the trail to stop and rest or have a picnic like we had planned and the trail around the Lake was littered with deadfall. Some you could walk over some under and one I had to shimmy over!
Written July 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hermann t
Muelheim an der Ruhr, Germany565 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Very nice and large park. You drive many km through the high mountains. Spread over the route you will find many beautiful parking lots that lure you to picnic or small hikes. The centrally located info center helps with maps and further information. Some things are still blocked in June.
Automatically translated
Written July 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smittysca
Abbotsford, Canada29 contributions
Aug 2016
not a very positive experience. we have a 23' travel trailer and found many of the available sites virtually impossible to access, the staff at lightning lake campsite poorly trained and rude. access to the lake is a long haul and via steep grade. the rates were expensive for no hookups and no senior discounted rate available. very limited generator use allowed even though we have a quiet Honda generator, strictly enforced. stayed one night... it was one night too long. will not return. more suitable for tenting.
Written September 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
room101studio
Edinburgh, UK23 contributions
Jul 2018
We traveled here en route to Osoyoos so we didn't really stay, but even a drive through and the occasional stop is spectacular. The slightly crazy but exhilarating drive to Cascade Lookout is well worth the 20 minutes or so each way. Stunning views and lots of wildlife.
Written August 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KellyNagle
553 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Roadside or Riverside? Choose wisely.
If you like watching (and listening to) sports cars and motorcycles test their tire grip on the sweeping turns of Highway 3 in the hot summer sun, choose sites 58-60.
If you like watching (and listening to) mountain streams winding through river cobble and testing the grip of fallen logs on the shady forested banks, choose sites 31-33.
We chose the mountain stream in the pull-through site 31. Five Stars! Easy access to morning coffee by the river. Small trailers 18 feet or less only in this section of the campground. Slightly larger trailers may like site 9 or 26, but there isn't a lot of space for the big rigs in this campground. Many sites in Coldspring are terribly close to the highway and even with the stream in our backyard, we could still hear the road. Many sites are in a newly planted area of white pines that are quite small still and provide little privacy and I would rate at 1 star.
Bring your own water or you will have to boil stream or pump water.
Many walks or hikes available in this park. Windy Joe and Skagit River Trail had interesting historical items along the way.
Day use at Lightning Lake is a bit of a hike or a few minutes drive away. Dog Beach.
If you like watching (and listening to) sports cars and motorcycles test their tire grip on the sweeping turns of Highway 3 in the hot summer sun, choose sites 58-60.
If you like watching (and listening to) mountain streams winding through river cobble and testing the grip of fallen logs on the shady forested banks, choose sites 31-33.
We chose the mountain stream in the pull-through site 31. Five Stars! Easy access to morning coffee by the river. Small trailers 18 feet or less only in this section of the campground. Slightly larger trailers may like site 9 or 26, but there isn't a lot of space for the big rigs in this campground. Many sites in Coldspring are terribly close to the highway and even with the stream in our backyard, we could still hear the road. Many sites are in a newly planted area of white pines that are quite small still and provide little privacy and I would rate at 1 star.
Bring your own water or you will have to boil stream or pump water.
Many walks or hikes available in this park. Windy Joe and Skagit River Trail had interesting historical items along the way.
Day use at Lightning Lake is a bit of a hike or a few minutes drive away. Dog Beach.
Written August 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason M
Vancouver, Canada300 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
We just camped for 4 days at Mule Deer campground. It has been newly renovated and these are not listed on the provincial website. It has flush toilets, a couple of swing sets and each site has a sand pad. After doing a walk of Lightning Lake campground we are so happy we booked here instead, very nice next to the river.
Written July 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm looking for up to date info on the status of Blackwell Road. We want to hike Heather Meadows this weekend's Sep
30 2023, and would like to know if the roads open, i.e. not closed due to snow? It would also be helpful to know if there's any snow around the elevation of Heather Meadows?
Written September 29, 2023
Louise J
Maple Ridge, Canada
Are there any covered picnic tables anywhere in day use areas in Manning Park?
Written June 12, 2022
Hi! We are going camping at Lightning lake campground next week with our tent trailer! Can you tell me what precautions I need to take to be safe around bringing food camping and keeping wildlife away from it? I know the basic 'don't leave any food outside' and 'store dry goods/ in your car'. Am I ok storing food (sausage, raw chicken skewers, milk, cheese, eggs) in the small fridge in my tent trailer or will we attract bears? What do you recommend?
Written June 27, 2019
Hi, thanks for your question and thank you for your consciousness about being Bear Aware while in Manning Park!
You've got the basics about keeping food in a secure container and keeping your camp clean and free of bear-attractants.
It seems like your fridge in your tent trail should fit the bill to keep the smells from attracting bears.
For more info about being Bear Aware you can also check out the BC Parks website about "Staying Safe in Bear Country"
Happy camping!
Written June 27, 2019
Lone duck campgrounds available for summer reservations?
Written February 23, 2019
Yes! Lone Duck is available for group reservations in the summer. This can be reserved through Discover Camping.
Written May 14, 2019
I am planning to visit Lightning Lake day use area for picnic. Is bbq possible at the day use picnic area?
Written July 14, 2018
Sorry for the delay! You can bring your own bbq as long as it complies with the campfire ban regulations in effect. We also have regularly scheduled BBQs at Lightning Lake Day Use during all our special events.
Written July 30, 2018
For reservations, the earliest time for access on the day of arrival is 1pm for front-country and group campsites. Check-out is at 11am. Happy camping!
Written July 10, 2018
I am after information on the Blackwall Road up to the Cascade Lookout. Is the road sealed or gravel. Will not be visiting until late summer so not concerned about if it is currently closed due to snow but more what the road is made from. Also is it worth the drive to the lookout and considering the Dry Ridge Trail.
Thanks
Written May 13, 2018
The road is paved half way up and then gravel, you can drive a car all the way up when the road has been clear of snow. We have been up other years with an SUV and it is beautiful to walk, take pictures and enjoy amazing views of the Cascade Mountain Range.
Written June 26, 2018
queenvee66
Portland, Oregon
Is it possible to portage through the chain of lakes (Lightning, Flash, Strike, and Thunder)? What are the distances and logistics like? We are experienced canoeists.
Written July 25, 2017
Yes, you can! The portage distance between Lightning and Flash is 500m, between Flash and Strike is about 1.5km, and between Strike and Thunder is 3km.
There is a backcountry camp between Strike and Thunder. Thunder is quite small and access to the lake is difficult, so most people just hike out to the lake and leave the canoe at Strike.
It is a beautiful trip and I hope you enjoy it! If you have any other questions, you can call our Visitor Centre at 604-668-5953
Written July 27, 2017
What are the check-in/out times for the campsites at Manning Park?
Written July 18, 2017
The answer depends in part upon whether you are planning to reserve a site. TripAdvisor doesn't allow posting website links, but if you search "BC Parks Frontcountry Camping Policies and Fees" it should take you to the page where you'll find the appropriate general information.
Written July 18, 2017
We are going to the group campsite (Lone Duck) at Manning park this summer. Can anyone share their experience? I'm hoping to find out how far (walking distance?) is the Lone Duck site to the Day use Lightning shower/flush toilets. Thanks.
Written March 29, 2017
Hello,
It is about a ten to fifteen minute walk from Lone Duck to Lightening Lake Campround showers. It is a really nice stroll along the lake. The hiking in Manning Park is truly stunning. The staff is also helpful and well trained. You should expect to have a wonderful wilderness experience.
Written March 30, 2017
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