BC Recreation Sites · British Columbia
Buchanan Lookout
BC Recreation Sites · British Columbia, Canada
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 6,188 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Nearest town
- Nelson
- Activities
- Picnicking, Hiking, Viewing
About
This is a high elevation day-use site which is located at an refurbished fire lookout building. This is a great spot for family oriented outings; views are spectacular and flowers are lovely in season. There is also a 2 km loop trail below the lookout that provides access to viewpoints on the rock bluffs . Note: This site contains ramps used by hand gliders. These ramps can be hazardous due to steep drop offs. PLEASE STAY OFF THE RAMPS. Interpretive displays on fire lookouts in the tower.
Road access. Maintained to Recreation Sites and Trails BC standards by a partner or contractor. Facilities on file: toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, parking. First come, first served.
Getting there: From Kaslo, head west on highway #31A for 11 km to the Blue Ridge Forest Services Road, then follow signs. Follow the main road for 11.9 km to the lookout, staying right at the 7.0 km junction. This road is suitable for 2wd vehicles.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19° | 10° | -32° | 27° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 19° | 9° | -22° | 33° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 28° | 16° | -11° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 32° | 22° | 5° | 54° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 44° | 30° | 23° | 68° | 11 of 11 |
| June | 55° | 36° | 25° | 71° | 7 of 11 |
| July | 68° | 49° | 33° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 68° | 48° | 36° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 55° | 38° | 26° | 71° | 5 of 11 |
| October | 35° | 23° | 10° | 58° | 10 of 10 |
| November | 25° | 15° | -6° | 40° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 17° | 8° | -24° | 28° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Kaslo Municipal Campground · City & Municipal Parks · 3 mi
- Powder Beach · BC Recreation Sites · 5 mi
- Milford Lake · BC Recreation Sites · 5 mi · 2 sites
- Garland Bay · BC Recreation Sites · 6 mi · 26 sites
- Bernard Beach (Garland Bay South) · BC Recreation Sites · 6 mi · 16 sites
All public campgrounds in British Columbia · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-10. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.