UPDATED for MAY 6, 2023

New pits were dug and culverts installed for two new outhouses while volunteers completed a general cleanup and repairs to the existing outhouses.

Per RSTBC directive to maintain the site as “4×4 access only,” the original three ditches across the top of the driveway were re-dug deeper than before, and a new ditch and “elephant hump” pothole obstacle were added just below the host site.

Those in low-clearance cars and AWD SUVs and crossovers should be aware of these changes and may want to walk the trail before attempting to drive in, or just avoid the 31km drive up to begin with.

UPDATED for AUGUST 25, 2019:

As of this past weekend, a new outhouse has been installed, and another will be added within a couple of weeks.

A major cleanup was undertaken, mostly of toilet paper and… associated refuse… scattered throughout the campground, often right beside camp spots and roadways. We hope that with the new outhouse, people won’t feel the need to leave such a mess.

There is currently no plan to install garbage cans, so be sure to bring garbage bags and pack out what you pack in.

A boat launch is being constructed at the south end of the site, and we ask that campers please be cognizant not to block access to it.

SKWELLEPIL CREEK REC SITE WILL REMAIN OPEN FREE TO USE UNDER THE MAINTENANCE OF 4WDABC VOLUNTEERS, but we must ALL be responsible for its care and upkeep.

After the Labour Day long weekend, cross ditches will be constructed in the driveway below the gate to aid runoff and prevent further erosion the road. Rec Sites and Trails BC has directed that the site should remain “4×4 access only” so no further road improvements are planned.
(As posted to Facebook):

As some of you may know, last year the government made a decision, after over 25 years of service, to lock the gate and officially close down the Skwellipil Creek Rec Site on the west side of Chehalis Lake, to ALL vehicle traffic. Although this may have seemed like a great idea to some, the majority of the community were pretty disappointed. Most of the local community have been enjoying this site and area for over 20 years. They have camped there as young kids and now continue this tradition with their kids, like me. For those involved in these kinds of situations, we know that it is not easy and can be a long drawn out process to fight for places like these. The Four Wheel Drive Association of BC has played a major role in taking over management of such sites.

Well, last year I took it upon myself to make this my mission to get this site open to the public once again. So I started a petition, hoping to get 500 signatures. That petition exceeded 500 and rose to almost 900! So the response was a true reflection on how much this site meant to the community. I presented this petition with a letter to the Rec officer, MLA and 4WDABC. I was greeted with positivity and open minds. Over the past year or so, with much correspondence with the Rec officer and the MLA, I was able to keep this conversation active and moving forward with progress.

With that being said….I would like to thank ALL of those who took the time to sign the petition and write comments on why you wanted to keep this site open.

Through our hard work and dedication, an agreement between the Recreation Sites and Trails BC and the 4WDABC was signed just recently allowing the management of this site to be given to 4WDABC!

The gate will remain open indefinitely.

I am so proud to be part of this cause and to be part of a community that fights for causes like this.

More information on how you can help improve and maintain this site, for years to come, will be coming soon. We will need to add a couple of outhouses and numerous clean-ups throughout the year.

–  Todd Freeman