Clearwater Lake Marine Campsites (Part Two) is the second in a series on paddle camping on Clearwater Lake.

From the boat launch to most of the marine campsites we will paddle north, but Caribou Beach Campsite is southwest, only 750 meters away.  If it is a blustery day, this is a good backcountry destination.   We found 4-5 sites with beach front and lots of trees.   There are two distinct camping areas.   We liked the two facing south, although they were farther from the woodpile, the bearproof cache, and the outhouse.

If you paddle north, the nearest campsites are Divers Bluff (6.2 km up the lake) on the west side, Bar View (8.4 km) on east side and Ivor Creek (10.5 km) on the east side.

We like Divers Bluff with south-facing sites.   The beach is small, but the sites are fairly open, though not very private.   Swimmers dive off the cliffs in warm weather.   There is a trail going up to a viewpoint above the campsite.    The lake is narrower here, a good spot to cross over to Bar View and Ivor.

Farther up the lake are 3 more official sites and two unofficial ones.   Archer (15 km) and Huckleberry are prime spots farther up the lake.  Barella Creek is the most northern campsite on the lake.

Archer has fine views up and down the lake as well as alpine views of Zodiac and Azure Mountains.   The point has beaches on both sites.   Campsites are set up above the beaches.   This is our favorite campsite on the lake.   Huckleberry is another nice campsite, also suitable to power boats.   It has a good stream and lots of beach.   Barella Creek also lies next to a creek, but it can be a little swampy and buggy.   The beach is nice later in the summer, though.   For anyone planning to portage or paddle upstream, this is the closest campsite.

For a three night tour in good weather, I would camp the first night at Divers Bluff, the second night at Archer, then return to Ivor Creek or Bar View before paddling back to the boat launch.   Watch for my blue Delta 18.5 foot kayak out there too.

Part Three features photos of the campsites.   (Don’t you wish it was summer now?)