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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
- There
are no park alerts at this time.
Park
Info:
Looking for a family holiday destination? Plan your next
weekend to Blanket Creek Provincial Park just south of
Revelstoke. Popular with local residents, this park was
originally a farm now developed to provide recreational
opportunities. It is one of a system of four provincial
parks on the Arrow Lake Reservoir. With its warm man-made
swimming lagoon, adventure playground, historic homestead
site and easy access to scenic Sutherland Falls, this
park offers enjoyment for the entire family.
Blanket Creek Park makes a great staging area for other
recreational explorations. Mount Revelstoke and Glacier
National Parks both close by, offer hiking trails for
all skill levels. Travel south, take a ferry ride and
discover Nakusp Hot Springs. The variety of opportunities
both in and around this park beckons recreationists of
all ages.

Park
Size: 318
hectares
Special
Notes:
Management
Planning:
Location:
Located
in the southern interior of BC, a 15-minute drive, 25 km
south of Revelstoke on Hwy 23, where Blanket Creek
flows into the Columbia River just north of the Upper Arrow
Lake.
Map/Brochure:
Any maps listed are for
information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be
used for navigation.

Nature
& Culture:
- History - The park encompasses a farming area known as the old “Domke homestead”. The remnants of this heritage farm and it’s wide array of trees, both native and imported, are reminders of the pioneer orchardists who first homesteaded the area in the late 1940’s. The park was established in 1982 after the reservoir was made, to provide recreational opportunities for local residents. Blanket Creek Park lies in the Okanagan and Shuswap first nation traditional territories.
- Conservation - Blanket
Creek Park is 318 hectares, contains white pine and second growth
western hemlock and western cedar. The park protects the scenic qualities
of Sutherland Falls, a regional significant natural feature. There
are only a few waterfalls in the Kootenay region as easily accessible
to the public. The creation of the Arrow Reservoir reduced Kokanee
spawning and ungulate winter range over a large area. Blanket Creek
Park is only one of a few small parks along the Arrow Lake Reservoir
where these values are protected. Flowers, trees and shrubs are part
of the park's natural heritage, please don't
damage or remove them.
- Wildlife - Bears are commonly seen in the fall when they are attracted to the fruit trees remaining from homesteader’s orchards. Mule deer and hares are occasionally observed. The park is also popular for bird watching. Park users should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment. Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife. Please view all wildlife from a distance.
Visitor
Safety:
- Bears
have historically been attracted to this site for its
fruit trees remaining from the orchards of the early
settlers. Keep a clean camp and keep pets on a leash
at all times. Free-running pets can anger a bear and
provoke an attack. The bears are more active in the fall.
Visitor
Safety Information (park
safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

Reservations:For
parks that accept reservations,
all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover
Camping.
Campsite
Reservations:
Campsite
reservations
are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.
Explore
Parks: Fees, park listings, what
you should know before you go and other useful links.
Contact
Information:
West
Kootenay Park Management Inc.
Phone: (250) 837-5734
Fax: (250) 837-5764
Email for general inquiries: information@westkootenayparks.com
Email for park specific inquiries: blanketcreek@westkootenayparks.com
Click here to view a non-government
web link, for additional information.

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The
park has one campground situated near the
Arrow
Lake reservoir. The campground contains 63 vehicle
accessible sites, 5 of these are doubles.
There
are no pull through sites or tent pads but tents
can be placed on the campsite gravel pad.
Many of
the sites are considered large and can accommodate
extra vehicles. The campground offers a selection
of both open/sunny sites or wooded/shaded sites
in a mixed smaller forest of white pine, cedar
and
hemlock.
The
park offers services during the peak season from
May to September. Campsite
reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served
sites are also available. Visitors can select
any non-reserved site and staff will come to collect
fees.
The park has 2 park gates, one at the park entrance
and one before the entrances to the campground or
day-use/picnic area. There are no pay phones in
the park. The closest store is in Revelstoke, 25
km north on Highway 23.
Vehicle
Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night BC
Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$7.50 per senior's couple/night
Campground Hours
of Operation
All dates are subject
to change without notice |
Opening
and Closing Campground Dates: (campground
is accessible but may not offer full services
such as water, security, etc.)
|
May
1 - October 15
(gate is closed during off-season) |
| Campground
Dates with Full Services and Fees: |
May
1 - October 15 |
| Campground
Reservable Dates: |
May
15 - September 15 |
| Total
Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: |
63 |
| Number
of Reservable Campsites, if applicable:
(all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
30 |
| Note: The above information is for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor Notice" above for park alerts. |
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There
are no wilderness/walk-in campsites at this park.
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No
group campsites.
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The
park has one day-use /picnic area located past the
campground, near the reservoir on the north side
of the park. A large 120 vehicle parking lot is
available. This park is unique as it contains a
man made lagoon for swimming. 457 metres of sandy
beach and 1 hectare of grass surround the circular
lagoon. Thirty-two picnic tables are situated mainly
around the lagoon in the grassy area. Shady spots
are created from the trees on the edge of the grassy
ring. An adventure playground set in sand with swing
set, monkey bars and slide is nearby. Other facilities
on site include 5 pit toilets and a water tap. A
change house, fire pits or BBQ stands are not available.
A signed dog beach can be found out on the reservoir
and is only a 10-minute walk away.
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There
are no wheelchair accessible facilities in this park.
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Cold
well water is available for cooking and drinking.
Three water taps are located in the campground with
a single water tap in the day-use/picnic area. Taps
are shut off during the off season.
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Eleven
flush and pit toilets are conveniently located throughout the campground.
The day-use/picnic area contains five pit toilets. There are no toilet
buildings in the park. |
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There
are no shower facilities at this park.
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During
the collection season, a sani-station/dump is available
near the campground entrance and a fee is charged
for the service
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While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood.Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. 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.
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There are no electrical hook-ups in this park. |
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There
are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at
this park.
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The
park is noted for its trail that leads to the foot
of the beautiful 12 metre high Sutherland Falls
with its one straight drop into a pool. Less than
a km long this trail is an easy 10-minute walk and
is accessed from a small parking lot off the left
turn exit before the sani-station.
The
other popular hike starts form the south end of the
campground is 2 km in length and considered and easy
to moderate hike. The start of the trail will lead
you through an old cedar forest with huge stumps
displaying spring-board notches from early logging
activity. It then takes you through dense forest
and opens up to a very pretty, fjord looking inlet
with deep clean water. The final section of the trail
heads to the old homestead. This site still contains
a deep rock lined pond and elaborate rock work fences.
Total hiking time is 30 to 45 minutes.
A
10-minute trail winds through the forest to connect
the campground with the picnic area and swimming
lagoon
For
your own safety and preservation of the park, obey
posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting
trails destroy plant life and soil structure.
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An
adventure playground with swing set, monkey bars
and slide is provided near the picnic area/swimming
lagoon. The equipment is set in sand.
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Although,
the northern portion of the reservoir is less useable
given the steep slope of the banks, cold silt water
and frequent low water levels, a man-made lagoon
for swimming and beach use has helped to artificially
provide these recreational opportunities. The circular,
calm, fresh flowing water lagoon has a diameter
of 60 metres and a depth of approximately 2.5 metres
in the middle. With its ring of sandy beach and
warm water the lagoon is popular with visitors of
all ages. There is no roped off swimming area. There
are NO LIFEGUARDS on duty at provincial parks.
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Car
top boats, canoes or kayaks are used on the reservoir
and may be launched off the beach after a short 200
metre, 10 minute "portage" from the day
use parking lot.
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No
boat launch is available at this park.
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The
far north end of the reservoir is shallow, stumpy
and not recognised for fishing. Anglers access the
reservoir via the boat launch at Shelter Bay Provincial
Park south on Highway 23 near the ferry terminal.
From here there is good lake and stream fishing for
Bull and rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. Anyone
fishing or angling in British Columbia must have
an appropriate license. Check
the BC Fishing Regulations Synopsis for quotas and
restrictions.
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Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are
mandatory in BC.
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No
horseback riding at this park.
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Pets/domestic
animals must be on a leash at all times and are not
allowed in beach areas or park buildings. A signed
dog beach can be found out on the reservoir. You are responsible for their behaviour
and must dispose of their excrement.
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or
other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential
for problems with bears.
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There is no viewing platform but there is easy access to the scenic
Sutherland Falls.

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No
winter recreation opportunities. |
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No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
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No
windsurfing opportunities. |
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No
waterskiing opportunities. |
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No
hunting in the park. |
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No
climbing or rock climbing opportunities. |
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No
spelunking or caving opportunities. |
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No
cabins, yurts or lodges for public use. |
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