Recreation areas & visitor centres

Nestled into the range of the Coastal Mountains, you'll find the winding waters of the Bridge River flowing over 120 kilometres. The system is home to three of our dams and two recreation areas offering a selection of outdoor activities.

With one visit to Buntzen Lake, you'll understand why it's our most popular recreation site. This picturesque lake is encircled by trails spanning through the forests ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging.

Hayward Lake is part of the Stave River hydroelectric project. Bound between the Stave Lake Dam and the Ruskin Dam, the reservoir is one of three located along the river.

The Upper Campbell Reservoir campground opened in February 2021, following the permanent closure of the Strathcona Dam campground in November 2020. It features 21 formal campsites, trails, a beach area, and boat launch. 

On June 11, 1993, BC Hydro and the residents of Mackenzie dedicated this recreation site "Alexander Mackenzie's Landing" in recognition of the two hundredth anniversary of Alexander Mackenzie's historic journey.

In the valley between the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges is the Arrow Lakes reservoir. A great waterway for boating, it runs 230 kilometres from near Revelstoke in the north, to Castlegar in the south.

The Clayton Falls recreation area is the only ocean-front park in the Bella Coola area. The Bella Coola Valley stretches from the Pacific Ocean in the west, to the Chilcotin Plateau in the east.

BC Hydro's John Hart Generating Station is on the Campbell River, just a few minutes from the town of Campbell River.

BC Hydro's Jones Lake Reservoir serves not only as a source of hydroelectric power, but also as an attractive public recreation area.

Along the Kootenay River, between Nelson and Castlegar, a canal diverts water to BC Hydro's Kootenay Canal Generating Station. Running parallel to the canal is a gentle, level walking trail.

BC Hydro's Pend d'Oreille Reservoir serves not only as a source of hydroelectric power, but also as an attractive recreation area for the public.

The Comox Lake Dam Picnic Area is situated on the Puntledge River, at the outlet of the Comox Lake Reservoir. The recreation area offers a parking lot, beach, pit toilet, viewpoint, information displays and a small picnic area.

With guided or self-guided tours, guests can take in a breathtaking view of the dam and the Columbia River Valley from the dam crest at 175 metres above the river.

In the north central Fraser Valley is BC Hydro's Stave River hydroelectric project. The Stave Lake reservoir is bounded by the Stave Lake Dam. Downstream is the Hayward Lake reservoir and the Ruskin Dam.

In the beautiful North Okanagan region of B.C., the Shuswap River is ideal for public recreation. Boating, fishing and swimming are only some of the activities that can be enjoyed in the area.

The Powerhouse at Stave Falls has a way of engaging a wide variety of visitors, from individuals to families and school groups

In the north central Fraser Valley is BC Hydro's Stave River hydroelectric project. The Stave Lake reservoir is bounded by the Stave Lake Dam. Downstream is the Hayward Lake reservoir and the Ruskin Dam.

From the Visitor Centre, you'll get a wonderful view of the Williston Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the province. The reservoir is held back by one of the world's largest earth-fill structures, our W.A.C. Bennett Dam.

In northeast British Columbia, near the towns of Hudson's Hope and Mackenzie, is Williston Reservoir, seventh largest in the world by volume. The Peace River flows out of the eastern edge of Williston through the Peace River Canyon.