Camping at Lightning Lake-E.C. Manning Park

In July this year we took our family for our first family camping trip of this year.  Our kids loved it!  Weather was cold the first day and night but warmed up beautifully after that.  We spent a week camping here. 

E.C. Manning Park The Jerry Ranger program was super for the kids, they had an activity every morning followed by an evening program held at the amphitheatre. 

Deer walk through the campsite daily, so do the squirrels and chipmunks who are not afraid to climb right up your leg if they think they will be rewarded with a snack.  The whiskey jacks are super friendly too!  But, don't feed the animals, they need to be able to survive year round finding their own food. 

Swimming in the lake is a bit of a challenge as the water is very cold.  Trout can be caught, small ones, but big enough for one or two to eat for dinner. 
There were bear in the area around the lake at the time although we did not see any. 
The hiking opportunities are fantastic in Manning Park, our kids did the Paintbrush Trail that was still quite snow covered for mid July.  Our eldest daughter and my husband also attempted the Monument 78 trail but it was closed part way along due to heavy trail flooding.  The whole family also did the Lightning Lake trail hike which is beautiful also.

Back to the campsite: there are washhouses with flush toilets and showers, only one was operational at the time we were there due to renovations.  I look forward to using the new ones next year!  The water in the showers can be warmish but get there early in the morning, mid day or later at night.  They can be quite busy and that warm water can run out. 

This is our second time camping here and we will be back for sure next year as it's such a great campground, lots of trails for biking, walking, hiking, exploring, lots for the kids to do and the sites themselves are quite private due to all the beautiful trees. 

At night, while we were there, the frogs came out to sing to us each evening with a chorus line of loon.  Absolutely lovely. 

Beware though, we learned one lesson here: do not leave any food in your pockets, especially if that article of clothing is left unattended.  I lost one fleece jacket to a squirrel who was determined enough to get to nuts in my pocket that he ate through my zipper. 

I would highly recommend Manning Park as a place to take your whole family.