Summary of Route
- Type: Out and back; beach car camping
- Rating: 3/5
- Season: Any, but Spring to October recommended
- Length: 42.5 km's one way from start of gravel road
- Vehicle suitability: Stock 4x4 or crossover with AT tires
The Route
The Chehalis Lake North Beach overland route is an excellent route for those new to overlanding or looking for a selection of areas to spend a warm weekend. This route begins outside the town of Harrison Hot Springs; however, as you will be heading up Harrison West FSR (not East) you will need to retrace your steps somewhat if you fully enter Harrison Hot Springs. If you’re coming from Vancouver, we recommend taking highway 7 from Mission until you make a left onto Morris Valley Road at GPS coordinates 49.25124, -121.95792. Once on Morris Valley Road, continue along until it changes into gravel whereupon you will be travelling on Harrison West FSR.
Shortly after the switch to gravel, you’ll come across your first rec sites should you be looking to avoid too lengthy a drive. Continuing along Harrison West FSR, you will come into view of Harrison Lake and continue passing more rec sites and off shoot logging roads. Road conditions for the entirety of this drive along Harrison West FSR are excellent. Of these my personal favorite rec site, Hale Creek, can be found at km marker 23.4. Be sure to check http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/ for the status of this site as at the time of writing it is currently closed.
If you’ve continued passed these sites in search of car camping on the beach, the next turn occurs at GPS coordinates 49.51777, -121.91132, with a left onto Mystery Creek FSR. While slightly less well maintained than Harrison West FSR, Mystery Creek FSR continues to be an easy drive. Continue along Mystery Creek FSR for the remainder of the drive, reaching the abandoned North Chehalis Rec site at GPS coordinates 49.47749, -121.99756. You will have the choice of staying on the east side of the Chehalis river or crossing over to the west side. Beach access can only be done by vehicle on the west side; however, the access road does become rougher and awareness of ones vehicle capability is necessary. Both sides were formerly BC Recreation Sites.
If you want to turn this route into a longer overland route, consider our Harrison to Pemberton overland route! If you are seeking more beach overland camping options, consider checking out our Harrison East and Squamish to Indian Arm overland routes!