Manning Park
E.C. Manning Provincial Park is in British Columbia, Canada. It is 70,844 hectares in size. The park was formerly the location of a small two-lift ski area, which entered receivership in 2009 and was closed indefinitely on April 1st, 2013.
Understand
History
A skihill was formerly located at Gibsons Pass, called the Manning Park Gibsons Pass Ski Area. The facilities opened in 1970, and ended operations on April 1st, 2013, due to bankruptcy after 3 years of receivership.
Landscape
The park is located in the coast mountains of British Columbia.
Flora and fauna
The park is home to brown, black and grizzly bears, deer, and many birds. Within the park are pine, fir, spruce and other types of coniferous as well as deciduous trees.
Climate
Due to recent climate changes, the weather in the park has become milder recently, with mid-winter temperatures rarely dropping below -30 degrees centigrade. During the winter the temperature is in the upper twenties.
Get in
Greyhound provides services east-west along Highway 3. Manning Park is a common stopping point for the Greyhound coach.
The only way to get in is on the Crowsnest Highway (Hwy 3) via Hope in the west or Princeton in the east.
From Vancouver, it is approximately 3 hrs driving time east along Hwy 1 and Hwy 3. Coming from Kelowna, it is approximately 2.5 hrs driving by heading south along Hwy 97 and then following the 3A and Hwy 3 west.
Get around
Most of the public roads in the park are paved, with the exception of certain campground access roads the upper sub-alpine meadows portion of the lookout road, adjacent to the Manning Park Lodge.
Well maintained hiking trails and walking trails are present throughout the park, and there are no trails within the park that require unbridged stream crossings.
See
- Take in the view from the Cascade Lookout. The lookout is accessed from the road that climbs to Blackwall Peak, which begins across from Manning Park Resort.
Do
Winter
After 3 years of receivership, the Manning Park Ski Area indefinitely ended operations as of April 1st, 2013. There is no current plan of reopening the hill for the 2013-2014 season, as well as the Nordic area.
Hiking and cross country skiing are still possible along the Lightning Lake chain, however in recent years with higher temperatures it has become unsafe due to ice reliability. Snow shoeing is still recommended.
Summer
Camping
It is unclear at this time what campgrounds will remain open for the summer of 2013 and the 2013-2014 winter season. Please consult the park prior to visiting to confirm the availability of the campsites, as the resort which maintains them has been indefinitely closed.
| SH | Showers |
| FT | Flush Toilets |
| LA | Lake Access |
| PT | Pit Toilets |
| PW | Potable Water |
| WS | Water Source Nearby |
| FS | Safe Food Storage |
| A | Amphitheatre |
| TP | Tent Pads |
| HS | Heated Shelter |
- RV/Trailer/Tent Camping
| Drive-Up Camping | Rate per Night | Sites | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning Lake | $28.00 | 143 | SH/FT/LA/PW/A |
| Cold Spring | $21.00 | 66 | PT/PW |
| Hampton | $21.00 | 99 | PT/PW |
| Mule Deer | $21.00 | 49 | FT/PW |
- Group
| Group Camping | Rate per Night | Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Lone Duck One | Winter rates are $11/group, first come first serve $70.00 + $4/adult + $1/child | HS/LA/PT/PW |
| Lone Duck Two | $70.00 + $4/adult + $1/child | HS/LA/PT/PW |
| Cambie Creek | Winter only $20.00 + $4/adult + $1/child | PT/PW |
Buy
The Country Store at the Manning Park Resort is the only place to purchase supplies in the park. It carries groceries, auto and camping supplies, some clothing, postcards and other souvenirs. Otherwise, the nearest town of any size is Hope, which is about 40 minutes away.
Eat
There is a restaurant at the Pinewoods Lodge building at Manning Park Resort.
Drink
The Bear's Den pub is a licensed establishment and is accessible from the main resort grounds off of Highway 3.
Sleep
Lodging
- Manning Park Resort, 7500 Highway #3, ☏ +1 250 840-8822, toll-free: +1-800-330-3321. A lodge and cabins situated in a valley within in the park. Lodge rooms have an occupancy of 4-6 persons and include bar fridge, microwave and TV. Cabins include the above plus a full kitchen and have an occupancy of 8-14 people. Amenities include fireside lounge, games room, indoor pool, sauna and hot tub, tennis courts and volleyball court. Rooms and cabins range from $164 - $369.
- Eastgate Bed and Breakfast and Cabin Rentals, lodging is available in a variety of cabins with running water, full kitchens, and livingrooms.
- Similkameen Chalet, separate from the above facilities, also in Eastgate.
Camping
There are four campgrounds open for camping in the summer that are accessible from Hwy 3. The opening and closing times vary from year-to-year depending on snow levels. The park tries to have at least one campground open from mid-May to the Canadian Thankgiving holiday weekend (second weekend in October).
- Lightning Lakes - Located on Lightning Lake near Manning Park Resort. Requires reservations after mid-June. $22/night.
- Coldspring is located 40 km east of the park's western portal. It is near the Similkameen River with a few sites overlooking the river. Sites cannot be reserved. $14/night.
- Hampton is located 12 km west of the park's eastern portal. It is the only campground not on water. Sites cannot be reserved. $14/night.
- Mule Deer is located 3.5 km west of the park's eastern portal. It is also on the Similkameen River and tends to be the first campground to open. Sites cannot be reserved. $14/night.
Backcountry
There are 10 backcountry camping areas in the park accessed by trails. Facilities are limited and cost is $5/person per night.
Stay safe
Be bear aware in the summer. Some wilderness campgrounds have bear caches for storing food.
If driving through the park in winter, it's a good idea to carry chains. Black ice is common and the snow can accumulate quite a bit in a storm before it is plowed.
Go next
| Routes through Manning Provincial Park |
| END ← Hope ← | W  E
|
→ Princeton → Osoyoos / Penticton (via  )
|