6/12/2015 Johnson Lake BC ­ called the Caribbean of the North for a reason

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Beautiful Johnson Lake, BC (photo BestSunPeaks.com)

Johnson Lake crystal clear waters - spectacular!(photo bestsunpeaks.com)

Johnson Lake BC ­ Beautiful Caribbean of the North

Johnson Lake BC, just over an hour awayfrom Best Sun Peaks, is an isolated,wilderness lake that wins our award asone of the most scenic, colorful andclearest lakes we have ever seen here inBritish Columbia.

With runoff from the nearby meltingsnow on the mountains, and theunderground, spring-fed water beingfiltered by limestone, it is easy to see

why Johnson Lake is referred to as the “Caribbean of the North”.  With some areas of Big Johnson Lake (there is anadjoining Little Johnson Lake too) having limestone sand, you would swear you were in the Caribbean with the crystalclear water and various shades of blue, turquoise and greens in the deeper areas. 

PLEASE NOTE THE JOHNSON LAKE LODGE IS NOW FULL FOR THE SEASON - DO NOT CONTACT THEM. 

SUN PEAKS SKI RESORT IS ABOUT 70-90 MINUTES AWAY AND HAS MANY SUMMER ACTIVITIES, ACCOMMODATIONOPTIONS, RESTAURANTS, PUBS, CONCERTS AND EVENTS TO ENJOY.

Big Johnson Lake BC is around 5 kilometers (3 miles) in length andaround 200 feet (60 meters) at the maximum depth, with the visibilitybeing around 50-60 feet in places.

At one end of Big Johnson Lake BC, there is a short, gravel lined channelconnecting it to Little Johnson Lake which is perfect for spawningKamloops Rainbow Trout.  Soon after the ice melts in the spring,hundreds or perhaps thousands of 2-3 pound (or even perhaps 5+pounders) Kamloops Rainbow Trout spawn in this channel.  Go past atthe right time and the stream will be alive with trout.  

And after a summer spent feeding and growing in the channel, the fryhead back to the depths of Big Johnson Lake via specially built fish ladders.

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6/12/2015 Johnson Lake BC ­ called the Caribbean of the North for a reason

http://www.bestsunpeaks.com/johnson­lake­bc.html 2/4

Canoeing on Johnson Lake (photo BestSunPeaks.com)

Map to Johnson Lake from BestSunPeaks.com(Googlemaps)

        Johnson Lake BC Activities

There is not much else around, but there are some fun, water-based activities to enjoy at Johnson Lake, and we certainlyrecommend a day trip from Sun Peaks to see this beautiful lake. You can:

• Fish for trout (in season and with valid fishing licenses)

• Canoe or kayak

• Swim, snorkel or even scuba dive - a little cool but refreshing

• Our favorite – stand up paddleboard (SUP) – rentals can bearranged at Sun Peaks before your trip.

• Motor around in your car-top boat or inflatable dinghy

• Float, splash or paddle in the summer heat

• Enjoy some bird and wildlife viewing, with a chance of seeing moose, deer, black bears, Canadian Lynx or bobcats,bald eagles, osprey, loons, wood peckers, steller jays, and more…

Please note - there is nothing fancy there - it is a beautiful, isolated, wilderness lake worth seeing and enjoying butit is not set up to be a big campground type location.

       Travel to Johnson Lake

Note: Remember your fluids, sunscreen and some bug spray…..

Getting to Johnson Lake is pretty easy and only about 70-90 minutesaway from Sun Peaks, Kamloops or the Shuswap.  

The routes are a combination of paved, graded, and not-so-gradedgravel roads. Watch out for cows (yes, cows) and logging trucks onvarious parts of the journey.

They involve a fairly gradual climb to an elevation of 3,800 feet (1160meters) so most cars and car-towing trailers can get there safely inthe summer.  it is just the last leg that is quite dusty and subject tolarge potholes.  There also isn't much room to turn around for largerigs.

    Directions from our Best Sun Peaks Condo

• Leave our Best Sun Peaks condo and head out past Sun Peaks village and around 9km down the hill on Sun PeaksRoad

• Watch out for Heffley Louis Creek Road on your right and take a very sharp turn up the hill

6/12/2015 Johnson Lake BC ­ called the Caribbean of the North for a reason

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Scenic ranches enroute to Johnson Lake

Watch out for cows on the road to Johnson Lake

Stand up paddleboarding - Johnson Lake, BC

• Travel past scenic farms, pastures and ranches about 29 km to AgateBay Road

• Turn right on Agate Bay Road and travel about 11 km to MinnovaRoad

• Turn left and follow along this forestry road around 16 km to theentrance to Johnson Lake Resort, and then a further 6 km past severalsmall pull-out day camp areas, to the Ministry of Forests campgroundat the other end of Big Johnson Lake BC.

Here there is room to park your vehicle, or drive into the small Ministryof Forests campsite and set up your tent or small trailer on a first-come, first-served basis. (it has an outhouse butthat's it!).  

The campground is very small and the sites are also small and close together.  If you want a little more privacy,consider camping at or near Sun Peaks Resort.  Or better yet, stay at our BestSunPeaks condo.

The area is busy with dirtbikes and quads in the summer so be careful.  There is a small roadway into the lake forcarrying your floats or car-top boats into the lake.

    Directions from Kamloops

• Drive 60 km north on Highway 5 to the Agate Bay Road turnoff

• Turn right and drive around 22 km to Minova Road

• Turn left and travel around 16 km to the Johnson Lake Resort andthen about 6 km past to get to the campground

    Directions from the Shuswap

• Head north off Highway #1 at Squilax/Adams Lake exit locatedbetween Chase and Sorrento

• Travel 10 km to the south end of Adams Lake

• Travel 19 km along the gravel road, heading north on AdamsLake West Forest Service Road to Agate Bay Road and turn left atthe stop

• Travel 9 km on the paved road to the Minova Road turnoff andturn right

• Travel 16 km along the gravel road, and another 6 km past the Johnson Lake Resort turnoff until you reach thecampsite/small parking area

6/12/2015 Johnson Lake BC ­ called the Caribbean of the North for a reason

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Johnson Lake BC is a beautiful lake and a wonderful day trip on a sunny day -  we hope you safely enjoy your day tripfrom Sun Peaks.

See the Kamloops Trails Johnson Lake BC website for local area trail information

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