Things To Do
Babine Lake Road will take you to a number of beautiful lakes. The scenic drive is really worth your while. If you don't want to camp, you can go sightseeing, go for a hike along the many trails along the way, rockhounding or perhaps you would like to go fishing. It's an absolute playground for everyone. No matter what your interests are.
There are two ways you can get there. If you are coming from Witset, you can cross the bridge at the canyon and follow the Telkwa High Road until you reach Babine Lake Road and go from there. This route will take you about one hour and twenty-three minutes and covers 86.6 km.
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| Route via Witset |
The Telkwa High Road is absolutely beautiful and you are more likely to see wildlife along the way. Basically starting your sightseeing adventure right away. There are mostly farms along this route. Two Bridge Creek has a one lane bridge. It is a gravel road which does meet up to some pavement in the Driftwood area. You can stop by and explore the Driftwood Fossil Beds along the way in Driftwood Canyon.
Alternatively, you can use Highway 16, east of Smithers, then turn on to Babine Lake Road. If you are coming from Witset, this route will take you one hour and fourteen minutes, covering 89.1 km. If you are leaving from the town of Smithers, the route will take you 51 minutes and covers 55.6 km. You can click on the map to view.
Babine Lake Road is partially paved and then it meets with gravel road. Be advised there are some logging operations out this way. Be prepared to meet some trucks and possible grader operators. Sundays are usually the best day to not see any trucks.
This is wilderness area so keep an eye out for wildlife. Deer or moose might run across the road. You could also see bears. Black bears and grizzlies are out here so exercise caution at all times. Don't be afraid. Just be prepared. General rule is keep your food items safely secured and tucked away. Bring any garbage back with you. Outhouses are available at most recreation sites. Women menstruating should be extra cautious as blood does attract bears.
Along the way on Babine Lake Road you will encounter several hiking and ski trails. You will pass the Chapman Lake Recreation Site turnoff and travel another 10.5 km. Tanglechain Lake Recreation Site turnoff will be on your right at 48.5 km mark. There is another lake named Doris Lake on your left. The turnoff for that recreation site is just a short distance ahead. We will include information and photos below this post for Doris Lake.
The road in to Tanglechain Lake is narrow. One lane only. Prohibitive to very large units. It doesn't take long to reach the recreation site. There are five spots with picnic tables and some other available spots a person can setup in or park. The outhouse is located in the center of the site surrounded by some trees.
Camping permitted. There is a launch area for canoes and kayaks.
Maximum depth for this lake is 6 meters (19.5 feet). Fish species include Burbot, Cutthroat Trout, Dolly Varden, Lake Trout, Mountain Whitefish and Rainbow Trout.
Doris Lake Recreation Site
A short drive up the road the turnoff for Doris Lake is at 49 km mark. This spot is not suitable for large units. The road in and out is steep. There are four picnic tables and camping is permitted. There is an outhouse and boat launch area for canoes and kayaks.
This lake is a good producer of Cutthroat and Rainbow in the 2lb class. Flies work especially well in this lake, while trolling with various lures such as flatfish, spoons and spinners may pay big dividends with the larger Lake Char.
It's a beautiful spot but not quiet if there is a lot of traffic on the main road. If you are looking for a more peaceful spot to camp, Tanglechain Lake Recreation Site would be your best bet.
Other nearby lakes which offer very good fishing include Chapman, Babine, and Fulton. Fulton Lake lies just southeast of Doris and contains good numbers of Rainbows, Cutthroat and Lake Char. Campsites and a boat launch are available on the lake. Boomerang, Pine Tree, Marin, and Torkelsen are all lakes that can easily be reached from here too.
👉There have been a number of Bigfoot sightings over the years, as well as in Chapman, Fulton and Babine Lake areas.
Barb & Richard Cecil
PS
Make sure you check ahead of time to see if there are any campfire bans in effect. Sometimes that's not even good enough though. Last time I left for Tanglechain Lake, I had checked online at home. We were still able to have a campfire. Which was good as I planned on being out in the bush for about a week and not in just one location. By the time I left Smithers and had arrived at the lake, a notice had already been posted. A campfire ban was in effect. Bummer.
Depending on where you go, sometimes a campfire is the only protection you will have against wolves, bears and cougars. The smoke alone lets them know you are there and the fire keeps them away from your camp. When these campfire bans come in to effect, you don't have that added protection. Not unless you are licensed to carry and use a firearm. The last ten years of being out in the wilds, I never carried a firearm. There were times I wished I had though but hey, I'm still here. - Barb