Manning Park, B.C.

Manning is an 83,671 hectares (323 square miles) park twenty-six miles east of Hope B.C. situated in  the Cascade Mountains. We keep going back because it is such a nice area. There are an endless number of trails in the park ranging from  15 minute walks  to a 6 day hikes. Please give yourself lots of time here.  Lightning Lake is the perfect place to kayak. There are boat rentals if you don't have your own. There is a resort at Manning Park and though we have never taken out a room there, they have always allowed us to use their pool for  $5  a person. Hiking the trail around the lake is very nice but the trail that we like best is the Heather Trail, taking you up into alpine meadow and large open areas where you can see for miles.

Manning  has four campgrounds (Lightning Lake, Coldspring, Hampton and Mule Deer) for Rvs. For those wanting hookups you need to reserve in the Lightning Lake campsite. However, we have dry camped in one of Manning's other campsite areas many times. Coldspring campground is nearest to the west end of the park. It consists of 66 campsites, half of which can be reserved. From some  sites you can see  the Similkameen River. The camping fee  of $23.00 (second vehicle is $11.50 per party)   includes  pit toilets and hand pumps for water.  From this campground you can trek out on The Canyon Nature Trail.

Lightning Lake campground turn off is located 41 km east of the west gate to the park . This is a  143 site campground. All of these  sites can be reserved and fill up fast. Campers enjoy washhouses with hot water and showers,  water taps, flush toilets, and a playground. Hiking trails take you right to Lighting Lake. There is an  amphitheatre also, where you can take in wilderness presentations. It costs  $35.00 to camp here and a second vehicle is allowed for $12.00 per night.

Mule Deer campground is situated near  the east end of  the park. There are  50 campsites here and half are reservable. Some sites sit  on the river. The camping fee  of $25.00 (second vehicle  $12.00) again gets you   tap water and pit/flush toilets, but also some communal swing-sets.

Hampton campground is situated part way between Mule Deer and Lightning Lake campgrounds. At Hampton you will find  100 campsites, 80% of which are reservable. The camping fee  of $23 (second vehicle is $11.50) sets you up with hot water and showers, flush toilets, pit toilets, and  large dish washing sinks.