Heffley Lake, like Paul Lake, is a "Kamloops Cottage Lake". ... or at least it was. Today many of the small, cozy cabins of the 1940's, 50's and 60's have been purchased and very large, modern homes have replaced them to become year-round dwellings. Still, the lake is a nice lake to spend a day at. The far (southerly) shore is still "wilderness" and has some interesting locations for fishing. The lake is about 7 km (4 1/2 mi.) long.
NOTE: There is one resort on the lake but in our opinion we cannot recommend it - you take it from there. ... and we understand it is for sale. (The Heffley Lake Fishing Resort on the south side of the lake has been sold and is no longer operating as a resort - which is too bad)
The government campsite and boat launch have undergone major changes. There are currently 19 sites and we feel the government folks and the contractors doing the work have done a terrific job! - especially on a very restricted budget.
Location & AccessHeffley Lake is located approximately forty minutes northeast of Kamloops. Drive north on Highway #5 (Yellowhead) and watch for all road signs leading to Sun Peaks Ski Resort. Turn right (east) at the Heffley Creek Store and follow the main paved road toward Sun Peaks Ski Resort. When you pass the Hitch N Rail Resort you are very close to the turn-off to the recreation site on your right. From there it is just a few hundred yards on good gravel to the lake. A car pulling a travel trailer can access this campsite.
The recreation sign is newer and larger. - (see photo below)
Note: There is a good gravel road connecting the boat launch area and campsite. There is a small channel between the boat launch and the campsite and with care, you can get through this channel.
Check out the Heffley Lake Interactive Map
This sign has now been replaced with a larger one - as we suggested it may. (The weather was windy, raining and hail; and very cold when we were last out. Not ideal for some good updated photos. Watch for some new pics.)
Facilities & Services
- Boat Launch - Yes (good for boat trailer)
- Camping - 19 very nice sites
- Cell Coverage - Spotty - don't count on it
- Firepits - Yes
- Garbage Collection - No (Please take all garbage home, including pieces of fishing line)
- Outhouses - Yes
- Picnic Tables - Several very nice new ones
- Resort - Yes, we will not comment further
Some of the former "walk-in" sites have been closed as there is an attempt to tone down some of the weekend noise level.There is a good cartop only boat access at the campsite. This may help the congestion at the larger, trailer boat launch.
Boat Launch
"New" boat launch site at Heffley Lake, B.C., as of late fall 2008. Some of the larger rocks are now removed which is a direct result of positive communications between the Government staff responsible, and ourselves - so please everyone, if you have a concern - speak up - it is time!)
This is a good boat launch. Please be thoughtful when launching and more importantly, when parking your vehicle and boat trailer. ... and please, try to leave a place free directly across from the launch so as to allow a vehicle and boat trailer to maneuver for launching.
The Heffley Lake boat launch has a good, solid gravel base. The actual launch now has large boulders marking out the perimeters of the launch area. We would like to say that the government agency responsible for these public recreation locations is certainly trying to make them better for all users.
Rainbow over Heffley Lake, B.C.(A great ending to a day)
