List of British Columbia Provincial Parks - Wikipedia
Estimates put visitor numbers well in the millions although there is no system in place to record day users, the most numerous of the visitor categories. For those overnight camping or using the backcountry, reservations or permits are needed.
The B
C Parks website provides critical details about facilities in the park including organized or backcountry camping options, activities, seasonality, and reservation links (essential in the high season).
Many parks, and sections of parks were already fully booked by the time I was ready to travel. Manning Park’s popular back-country campsites were included in that full list, but the park did offer first come first served space along one trail system that was of interest. The decision was made to try the Lightning Lakes Chain trail and check for availability on arrival at the nine-pad Strike camp. Space was available at Strike camp and the following paragraphs details a few of the unique features that make this trail ones to consider. A second paragraph details notable features on another of the trails in the park that we discovered during our three days in Manning Park.
Lightning Lake Chain Trail. (9 km each way – 6 if you take the trail from Spruce Beach car park instead of Lightning Lake parking lot).
This hike is completed with little incline making it manageable for most. The trail passes three gorgeous lakes; Lightning, Flash, and Strike before reaching Strike camp which offers wooden tent pads, a pit toilet, fire pits, benches, and a bear cache. The limited number of branch trails from Strike makes this site a 1 or maximum 2-night adventure, though an 8 km roundtrip to T
hunder Lake reveals a gorgeous lake whose cool waters are refreshing on a hot summer day. The Thunder Lake hike crosses some gnarly shale patches making good hiking boots and walking sticks a must. We were fortunate with our wildlife sightings including crossing paths with a bear on the Thunder Lake trail. the bear was disinterested in we humans to the point of retreating up a nearby ridge. On the second day, more wildlife was seen as we explored the backsides of Flash and Lightning Lakes spotting a diversity of birds, a Pika, and a beaver. Deer and a coyote were seen driving in, adding to our wildlife satisfaction.
Heather Trail (22 km each way from the parking lots above Cascade Lookout to Nicomen Lake)
Once back in the car, we drove up to Cascade Lookout, and hiked the View Loop. The mountain vistas were worth the effort. Heather Trail, one of the popular backcountry routes begins here. I am planning to book two of the backcountry campsites along the trail for 2026 as soon as the BC parks reservation system opens. We previewed a short section, which intensified my desire to return. The trail features mountain views, flower-filled meadows, moderate elevation gain and several camping options – Buckhorn at 8 km, Kicking Horse another 8 km in, and Nicomen Lake at the 22 km mark, plus numerous viewpoints along the way.
Tips for backcountry hiking
Essentials (can be acquired second-hand or new over time).
Cooking items, first aid, tent, food and small stuff can be divided among the group
Clothing
underwear/socks
shorts (1)
pants (1)
overshirt (1 – light and quick dry)
t-shirt (1)
long-sleeved shirt (1)
wool sweater
base layer pants (1)
rain pants / rain jacket
pack towel
sunglasses
swimsuit (summer only)
camp shoes (to get out of your hiking boots)
hiking boots
wind buff
Plus A change of clothes in the car
Bed stuff
sleeping pad (light weight roll up)
footprint for tent
tent
sleeping bag (light weight in compression bag to reduce size in pack)
thermal sheet for inside sleeping bag
neck pillow
small lantern
head lamp
Other stuff
bear spray (should be accessible as you hike)
hiking sticks
water bottle
comb
toothbrush (light weight and small)
toothpaste (small tube – make sure to pack with food in wildlife proof cache)
dry bag for food (rope to hang if no bear cache is provided)
Ziplocs including one for trace garbage
toilet paper
hand sanitizer
fire starter (where fires permitted)
carabiners to attach items to your pack
First aid
emergency blanket
compass and/or trail map or app
mat patch kit
mole skins
Band-Aids
Tylenol
SPOT locator
rope (for ta
rping, safety, and clothes line)
bug spray / bug mask (in summer)
sunscreen
water purification drops
Kitchen
camp stove
fuel (extra fuel for longer hikes)
pot
frying pan
wooden spatula
small cutting board
scrubby for washing
soap for washing
utensils (knife, fork, soon)
Swiss army knife
mug
bowl
drying towel
Recommended food
plan your meals
dehydrate as much as possible to reduce the weight
bring extra snacks
don’t scrimp on the protein
Pack well and light as possible. I try to hike with maximum 25 pounds although my hiking buddies are usually good up until 35 pounds.
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