Summary of Route
- Type: Out and back; beach car camping
- Rating: 3/5
- Season: Any, but Spring to October recommended
- Length: 32.4 km one way from start of gravel road to furthest beach
- Vehicle suitability: Stock 4x4 or crossover with AT tires
The Route
The Big Silver Creek Beaches route proceeds up the eastern shore of Harrison Lake and will bring you to two separate vehicle accessible beaches. To reach the access road, proceed to the town of Harrison Hot Springs and exit onto Rockwell Drive – essentially follow the shoreline until you end up on Rockwell Drive. You will continue down Rockwell Drive until you reach the start of Harrison East FSR and gravel at 49.35677, -121.74746. You will stay on this road for the duration of the route.
As you proceed along Harrison East FSR you pass several rec sites. Most of these are just slightly off of Harrison East FSR and you can expect to have significant traffic noise and dust affecting your stay. Further, none of these sites allow vehicle camping on the beach although Cascade Penninsula Rec Site appears to have a couple of walk in gravel beach camping options. Personally, I usually stop at Cogburn Rec site to get the dog out and stretch my legs as it has beautiful views despite it’s proximity to the FSR.
The first option for vehicle accessible beach camping occurs shortly after passing the timber yard whereupon you will take a left on the first unobstructed road (near 49.57841, -121.82185). This entrance can be flooded and 4x4 is recommended if so. As always, should you be uncertain, walk the route prior to driving it. Once on the beach traction should be suitable for most vehicles due to mixed rock and sand material.
Should the access to this beach be beyond your comfort zone, continue travelling along Harrison East FSR until you reach 49.60159, -121.82615, approximately 2.5-3km further. Access will be on your left (west) to a smaller yet less frequented river front sandbar camping area.
While these are the only two vehicle accessible beach camp spots I’ve found along Harrison East FSR, a private riverfront campsite that holds both sand and gravel can be accessed by foot through bushwhacking left (west) at approximately 49.62254, -121.82285.
If you're searching for other vehicle accessible beaches, consider checking out our Jones Lake or Harrison to Pemberton overland routes!