McGillivray Lake is located in the Sun Peaks backcountry area, 6 km to the southeast, accessible by the McGillivray Forest Service Road.    There is a good boat launch at the McGillivray Outpost, but there is also a Rec Site with a hand launch 1 km south.    On a calm July weekday morning, I parked at the Outpost and launched into the lake to paddle the lakeshore perimeter (5 km).

The launch area includes a dock and an area for boat rentals.    There are some picnic tables there and the Outpost Cabin is mainly for winter use by cross country skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers.

The lake was calm as I kayaked around the lake, going around 4 islands.    By paddling steadily, I completed the tour in an hour.

Along the eastern shore were many bog orchids in bloom.   Ducks dabbled and dove in the bays and birds sang and called from the forest.  This is a lake we paddle every summer, one of a list of favorites.