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The
following is a list of provincial parks and protected areas in the
Thompson Nicola Region. Provincial parks vary drastically in both
size and ammenities/activities offered on site. Please visit individual
park websites for current park information. For camping reservations
please call: 1-800-689-9025 or for park info call BC Parks: 1-250-398-4414
for reservations please visit: B.C.
Provincial Parks Camping Reservations
Arrowstone
Protected Area
Arrowstone
Park is a wilderness area and protects one of the largest undisturbed
valleys in the dry southern interior and also contains large stands
of old growth Douglas fir. There are no camping or day-use facilities
provided. The park allows hiking in a relatively pristine environment
that is remote, yet is accessible to a major highway. A forestry
road follows a section of the park’s boundary, providing opportunities
to enter the park from various locations. Backcountry camping, nature
appreciation, wildlife viewing, photography and hunting opportunities
also exist in the park.
Bedard
Aspen Provincial Park
An interesting area of high biological diversity, with trail access.
This park represents aspen/Douglas-fir/grassland associations in
a richly diverse area and contributes to the representation of the
Pavilion Range Ecosections. Note that no camping or day-use facilities
are provided. Bird watching, hunting, hiking and nature appreciation
are potential activities in the area.
Blue
Earth Lake Provincial Park
A geologically interesting area offering rustic camping facilities,
fishing and nature appreciation. Blue Earth Lake Park includes lakes,
wetlands and riparian areas in a deep valley with significant value
for song birds and waterfowl, surrounding upland forests and the
Pavilion Mountains.
Cornwall
Hills Provincial Park
An area noted for a wide diversity of recreational use, from wilderness
hiking to hang-gliding. The park is known for its incredible bloom
of wildflowers in July and August, encouraging visits from photographers
and artists. Visitors are rewarded with a 360 degree view of the
surrounding area from Cornwall Hills. Note that no camping or day-use
facilities are provided here. This park provides one of the few
opportunities in the Thompson Region to protect Engelmann Spruce-Sub-Alpine
Fir grasslands. The park contains the only active Forest Service
Lookout Tower in the Kamloops District.
Goldpan
Provincial Park
Goldpan was constructed in 1956 on the banks of the Thompson River.
It is a convenient overnight camping spot for travelers on Hwy #1
and is a destination site for fishermen during peak fishing times.
This is also a popular base camp for visitors enjoying guided river
rafting, and exploring the Thompson/Pavilion area. It's an area
rich in geological and human history.
Harry
Lake Aspen Provincial Park
The Park has an interesting grassland/aspen area of high geological
diversity and protects a small representation of upper grasslands
in conjunction with an Aspen/Douglas-fir forest. This area offers
opportunity for hiking, wildlife viewing and photography. During
July and August there is a small but colourful bloom of wildflowers.
Note that no camping or day-use facilities are provided. No off-road
vehicle travel is permitted. ATV use is prohibited on park roads.
Lac
du Bois Grasslands Protected Area :: pdf
map
Sweeping grassland vistas, spectacular cliffs and canyons, cool,
dry forests, secret ponds and small lakes await the visitor to the
newest grasslands park in the province. It rises north and westward
from the hot, dry Thompson valleys through three grassland communities
to the forested hills above. Nowhere else in western North America
will you find these grassland communities in such close proximity
to each other. Special Feature: This park fulfils a very important
conservation role in representing the Thompson Basin and Northern
Thompson Uplands Ecosections. This park contains complex geology,
a mixture of grasslands and forest types, a highly differential
set of topographical features and soils and a variety of cultural
uses combining to produce an area of notable diversity.
Lac
Le Jeune Provincial Park
:: pdf
map
estled among lodgepole pine, spruce and fir, Lac Le Jeune Park appeals
to campers and anglers seeking an easily-accessible getaway spot.
The park offers a diverse assortment of recreational activities
including swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, biking, and nature
appreciation. The campground serves as a base for recreational use
at both Stake and Walloper Lakes. The park sees high use during
the summer season. During the winter the area is used for cross-country
skiing with no vehicle access.
Marble
Canyon Provincial Park
A small, quiet campground, set between two small lakes Turquoise
and Crown. This park is popular with fishermen and birders. Nestled
in the rugged Pavilion Mountain Range. The limestone canyon in which
Marble Canyon Provincial Park is located is a rather rare geological
formation in British Columbia. That's what makes picnicking here
such an unusual experience. You can sense there's something different;
the white, chalk-faced slopes are certainly not composed of granite,
as are the nearby Coast Mountains. And the weathered peaks, surmounted
by the remarkable Chimney Rock, have the appearance of a crumbling
castle wall. This canyon was once part of a Pacific island chain,
another section of which lies in the northwest corner of the province.
A waterfall on the far side of suitably named Turquoise Lake reminds
you of the power of the elements to eventually wear all things down.
Visit
historic Hat Creek Ranch and the town of Lillooet, both nearby.
Explore the area, rich in the history of the Interior Salish people
and the pioneers who followed the gold rush and homesteaded this
area.
Monck
Provincial Park :: pdf
map
Set on the shore of Nicola Lake, Monck Provincial Park offers a
wide assortment of recreational activities including camping, picnicking,
swimming, fishing, boating, water-skiing, wind-surfing and hiking.
A very popular family-oriented campground in a hot, dry setting
this park has very high use during the summer season. In addition
to providing recreational opportunities, Monck protects a ponderosa
pine, bunchgrass ecosystem and a volcanic rock cliff landscape.
Special Features: There are archaeological sites including
two First Nations pit house depressions in the day use area.
Oregon
Jack Provincial Park
This park protects a spectacular limestone canyon and falls (the
Notch) on Oregon Jack Creek, as well as wetlands above the falls.
This area is very significant for historic First Nations use. Please
note that no camping or day-use facilities are provided.
Special Features:This park protects the geological features,
wetlands, upland forest habitats and cultural features associated
with this area.
Paul
Lake Provincial Park :: pdf
map
Paul Lake Provincial Park is nestled in a mixed forest of Douglas-fir,
pine and aspen. The park offers a large campground, a sani-station
and an adventure playground. In addition there is a popular day-use
area with beach and cartop boat launch, and over seven kilometers
of hiking trails. This lovely lakeshore campground is within a half-hour
drive of Kamloops and there are many tourist attractions in the
area. Easy
access, beautiful scenery, plentiful fishing and a diversity of
outdoor recreational activities make Paul Lake a popular destination.
Roche
Lake Provincial Park :: pdf
map
Seven world-class stocked rainbow trout lakes, only two of which
are served by maintained gravel roads, on the Thompson Plateau.
The park includes rustic campsites that are located on two of the
lakes. This is a year-round recreation area, noted for camping,
hunting, wildlife viewing, fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Skihist
Provincial Park :: pdf
map
A convenient overnight camping spot for travelers on Highway #1,
this is also a popular base camp for visitors enjoying river rafting,
fishing, and exploring the Thompson River area. Awe-inspiring views
of the Thompson Canyon and quiet strolls on the old Cariboo Wagon
Road bring to mind the difficulties encountered by early travellers
traversing the western mountain ranges. An introduced herd of elk
thrives nearby. Arrangements for guided river rafting trips may
be made in Lytton or Spences Bridge.
Stein
Valley Nlaka'pamux Heritage :: pdf
map
This is a wilderness park containing spectacular scenery and outstanding
historical, cultural and spiritual values. It protects the entire
Stein River watershed. This is a user-maintained area, with 150
km of hiking trails and routes, four cable crossings, a suspension
bridge and several wilderness campsites. The park offers limited
opportunities for easy day hikes (primarily in the lower valley)
and extensive opportunities for multi-night backpacking trips over
moderate to difficult terrain. With limited Ranger and Stein Valley
Warden patrols, visitors must be self-sufficient and prepared for
all eventualities.
Tunkwa
Provincial Park :: pdf
map
Tunkwa Provincial Park contains two large, man-made trout-fishing
lakes, Tunkwa and Leighton, with campgrounds located on both lakes.
Tunkwa is listed in the top 10 provincial rainbow trout fisheries.
This park protects mid elevation grasslands, forests, lakes, and
wetlands including bogs and ponds. This is a year-round recreation
area, noted for camping, hunting, horseback riding, wildlife viewing,
fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
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