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P37 South Chilcotin Mountains Park
• Heated outdoor pool • Laundromat • Treed, parklike setting • Free WIFI • Mini Golf • Playground equipment
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MOTEL & BUNGALOWS
• Extra large rooms • Air conditioning • Kitchenettes • Queen & King beds • Family Rooms • Cabins • Cable TV • Fridge & In-room coffee
52 RIDGE RESTAURANT & PUB
ESPRESSO BAR
opens at 9 am
CAMPGROUND & CABINS
• 50 & 30 amp sites • Firepits & tables at all sites • Pull thru sites
McConnell Lake Park is a day use area that appeals to those looking for a more rustic experience beside a quiet, scenic lake that provides good fishing for Kamloops trout.
A perimeter trail provides walking access to the complete lakeshore, a pleasant walk through pine, spruce and fir. Please keep dogs on a leash, and clean up after your pets.
McConnell Lake is near the extensive Stake Lake trail system for hiking and biking, and in winter, cross-country skiing. Just 20 minutes from Kamloops, access is via a paved road from Lac le Jeune Exit on the Coquihalla Highway 5, or from Kamloops on Lac Le Jeune Road. No overnight camping permitted.
LAC LE JEUNE
Photo: Laura Doan
Lac le Jeune is an excellent family park with activities for all ages and interest. The higher elevation lake is a cool destination during the heat of summer, and is a picturesque body of water surrounded by lodgepole pine forests. The fishing at Lac Le Jeune has continually been excellent, producing rainbow trout to 3 pounds. The combination of fishing excitement, with the beautiful landscape and the endless activities makes Lac le Jeune an excellent choice for your family camping adventure.
A sandy beach fronts an extensive picnic area, and features a wharf that is disabled accessible.
Hikers and bikers have access to an extensive trail system at nearby Stake Lake, and in winter the Stake Lake trails are a popular groomed cross-country ski trail system.
Lac le Jeune park is located 30 minutes from Kamloops, access paved road from Lac le Jeune Exit on the Coquihalla Highway 37 km south of Kamloops; 47 km north of Merritt.
For more information call park operators 250 320-9305.
ROCHE LAKE
Roche Lake Park protects a complex of 10 lakes in high elevation Douglas fir, spruce and pine forests of the Thompson Plateau. Campers who are interested in good fishing, and enjoy camping in natural surroundings with few amenities, come to scenic Roche Lake country.
Roche and other road accessible lakes in the park provide world class fishing for Kamloops trout. It should be noted that on the south end of Roche Lake, only electric boat motors are permitted.
Some other lakes in the area are accessible by basic routes and trails. 4-wheel drive or other high clearance vehicles and mountain bikes are sometimes necessary modes of transportation.
For more information call park operators 250 3209305. Hiking routes lead into several of the lakes. Vehicle accessible, camping areas are Roche Lake North, Roche Lake West and Horseshoe Lake.
Roche Lake park is located 36 km southeast of Kamloops and is accessed by a 12 km gravel road off Highway 5A.
Step Back in Time • www.historichatcreek.com
Located at the junction of Hwy 99 & Hwy 97, 10 minutes north of Cache Creek
Licensed Restaurant with Large Deck, Gift Shop, Stagecoach Rides, Tour our Historic Roadhouse & Indigenous Site Stay in our Cozy Cabins, Miner’s Shacks, Covered Wagon, Serviced RV Sites or Campground
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5341 Highway 97A Just South of Enderby
Walloper Lake
WALLOPER LAKE
Walloper Lake is a pleasant fishing lake, ringed with a cool upland pine forest and situated near Lac le Jeune Provincial Park. This day use park is popular with families from nearby centres, and with travelers on busy highways nearby, who are looking for a peaceful stopping place. No overnight camping permitted.
Approximately 30 minutes from Kamloops, access paved road from Lac le Jeune exit on the Coquihalla Highway.
MONCK
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.
There are archaeological sites including two First Nations pit house depressions in the day use area. There is a pay telephone at the gate office near the entrance to the park. Quiet hours are 10 pm to 7 am: music, generators, etc. must be shut off completely between these hours.
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TUNKWA
Tunkwa Lake Park is provincially significant for both its conservation and recreation values. Here on the southern Thompson Plateau is found a rare combination of forest and grassland, lakes, wetlands and bogs.
Some of the best fishing for rainbow trout in the province is available in the two largest lakes, Tunkwa and Leighton. Trout up to 8 pounds are not uncommon, and fish exceeding 10 pounds have been reported. Spawning trout provide eggs for as many as 40 other provincial lakes, and trout can be easily observed in the spawning channels. For the bird enthusiast, waterfowl of many kinds can be observed on and around the lakes. Two herds of wild horses are often seen roaming the rolling grasslands that surround the lake.
This is ranching country and horseback riding is a popular pastime. Trails and backcountry roads often lead beyond the boundaries of the park. All recreationists in Tunkwa are asked to respect fences and gates that are used to manage the rotational cattle grazing system.
Popular recreational activities here are nature study, ORV riding, hiking and dirt bike riding. In order to serve the interests that bring visitors to this park, and protect its rich natural values, areas have been set aside for the various activities. Tunkwa now has two separate areas for camping with horses – at Tunkwa (main) and Leighton North; there is also a day use area there now (at Tunkwa main). Visitors are asked to obey all postings, including those limiting camping to areas provided with tables and fire rings.
The park is located midway between Savona and Logan Lake on the southern Thompson Plateau, about 40 km southwest of Kamloops. It is accessed via 24 km of paved road from Savona or 16 km from Logan Lake on the Tunkwa Lake Road. A pay telephone is located in the park. For more information call park operators 250 320-9305.
Photo By Bonnie Pryce
Photo by Gail Frith
Photo by Gail Frith
The Gold Country Communities Society is a non-profit organization that works to promote and support the communities in the Gold Country region of British
Columbia. We offer a variety of programs and services designed to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Gold Country is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the province, with endless hills filled with the heavenly scents of sagebrush, and pristine lakes that reflect the stunning mountain peaks. There is always iconic scenery to be discovered in the region from desert-like terrain to tree-laden forests. Gold
Country is also home to a wealth of history and culture, from the early days of the Gold Rush to the present day. We encourage you to follow us on our journeys as we rediscover life before precolonial times via our latest Geo Tour, The Prequel launching in August 2022. Our communities offer something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a quiet place to relax or an adventure-filled vacation.
We invite you to come and explore all our rural communities that encompass
Gold Country. Discover our hidden gems and experience all that this beautiful region has to offer. From world-class fishing and hiking to golfing and skiing, there is truly something for everyone in Gold Country. We welcome you to come and explore all that our communities have to offer! Visit www.exploregoldcountry.com to plan your next adventure.
STEELHEAD
Steelhead is a small but attractive park on the shores of both Kamloops Lake and the Thompson River where it leaves the lake. It has a history of early Indigenous use and later pioneer settlement, and is a heritage site of some interest. The local Skeetchestn Indian Band and the Savona Heritage Society collaborate with BC Parks to maintain and enhance the heritage values of Steelhead Park.
The park has amenities such as hot showers and hookups for water and power at select sites. The power service has been updated to 30-ampere. A beautiful beach is located at the front door of the park as is spectacular trout and char fishing at the mouth of the river.
The park provides access to Kamloops Lake, for water sports as well as for fishing. It provides the visitor with an opportunity to observe an ecosystem unique in Canada, the semi-arid bunchgrass lands of the Interior of British Columbia. This is a fascinating but fragile environment so hikers should take care not to disturb the natural vegetation.
Here too in fall wintering tundra and trumpeter swans, as well as other waterfowl, may often be observed at close range.
Steelhead Park is located 40 km west of Kamloops on Highway 1. For information call park operators 250-320-9305.
MARBLE CANYON
JUNIPER BEACH
A drive through Marble Canyon on Highway 99 takes the visitor past impressive limestone cliffs that line the valley on one side, and on the other, past three of the most colourful lakes imaginable. The deep emerald greens, sky blue and turquoise of these lakes are unforgettable. All the lakes are popular fishing lakes for rainbow trout.
The park itself is situated on three lakes: Turquoise, Crown, and Pavilion. Access to Crown Lake is easy from many of the sites that are situated in open forest on the lakeshore. The beach is gradual and safe for even small children.
The valley affords beautiful views for the scenic photographer, while birds and wildlife are often easy to spot. Nearby to the east is historic Hat Creek Ranch, and westward a scenic drive along the Fraser River to Lillooet, worth every kilometre of the drive. Marble Canyon Park is adjacent to Highway 99, 40 km west of Cache Creek or 50 km east of Lillooet. For more information 250 320-9305 or parkinquiries@telus.net.
Important Notice: During the camping season, overnight visitors can now pay at the campground with a self registration system — cash only accepted. Deposit cash in the envelope (change will be provided when attendant arrives if you do not have correct amount), fill out the information and place in the vault provided at the water pump. Please detach the receipt portion and attach to the clip on the picnic table.
Juniper Beach Park is a lovely oasis in Thompson Valley sagebrush and cactus country. Situated on a small beach along the Thompson River, it features amenities such as electrical hook-ups and showers.
The nearby countryside affords fascinating views of rocky lava outcroppings, deep coulees, and hillsides where wild cactus, rabbitbrush and sagebrush flourish. The river itself is popular with kayakers and canoeists, but inquiries must be made about dangerous rapids in the river. The river beach allows for refreshing swimming in the cold waters of the Thompson.
In season, anglers come here to try their skill and luck at catching trout, salmon and steelhead. Please check fishing regulations for special limits on the Thompson River.
Two train lines follow the Thompson River Valley here, and train watching has become a popular activity for young and old alike.
For the history buff, Juniper Beach Park is a good place from which to visit nearby historic Hat Creek Ranch. Juniper Beach Park is adjacent to the Trans Canada Highway, 20 km east of Cache Creek.
GOLDPAN
Scenic views of the beautiful Thompson River are a feature of this small park on a rocky shoreline. Visitors come here simply to enjoy the beauty of blue-green waters, or to fish for trout, steelhead and salmon in its swift eddies.
The river here flows through some of the driest country in British Columbia, where Rocky Mountain Sheep are at home, and where unique plant communities flourish. Two train lines hug the river through this area, and train-watching is popular with many of the regular visitors. Goldpan Park is located adjacent to the Trans Canada Highway, 10 km west of Spences Bridge or 25 km east of Lytton.
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.
STEIN VALLEY NLAKA’PAMUX
Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park is a large pristine wilderness park protecting the entire Stein River watershed. It has great cultural, spiritual, and historical significance to the Lytton First Nation who co-manage the park with BC Parks via the Stein Co-Management Board.
Ferry across the Fraser River at Lytton to access the trailhead. Several wilderness trails are accessible by logging roads from Lillooet and Duffey Lake. Here the backcountry hiker may explore river canyons, ascend majestic mountains, and camp on high alpine meadows beside glacier-fed lakes.
The main traverse is approximately 80 km in length (within the park) with a total of 140 km to the Lizzie Lake area. There are additional wilderness routes in a few of the side drainages but they are not regularly maintained. Thirteen wilderness campgrounds along the main E-W trail provide basic campsites, pit toilets, and bear caches. Primary access/egress is from the eastern end of the park (close to Lytton) with secondary access/ egress from the Lizzie Lake area on the west side. Access/egress along the north side of the park is accessible via the Duffey Lake Road but these routes are not maintained.
When visiting the Stein, hikers are to stay on the main trail. Camping is permitted in the campgrounds and NO CAMPFIRES are allowed in the park.
The Stein is a wilderness park that provides for picnicking, hiking, camping, and wildlife/nature viewing within a unique cultural and spiritual context. Please stick to the main trail to help protect the diverse values.
Trails range in difficulty from easy to extreme and weather conditions in this wilderness area can change dramatically without warning. Visitors to the Stein are urged to inform themselves of conditions before heading out.
Once a hiker is beyond the first two campgrounds from the Lytton trailhead, outside emergency assistance is limited and/ or many hours away. Be properly prepared before your trip including having proper communications because cell service is severely limited.
Conditions of the trail networks and facilities are always changing in this wilderness park. To be informed with the most up-to-date information, including a current Trail Report, please visit the Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park page of the BC Parks website at www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks. When in the park, ensure to follow the guidance of any signage, information provided by the Stein Wardens (Lytton First Nation members), and any Park Rangers (BC Parks).
Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park, since December 2017, has been included on the tentative list for World Heritage Designation (UNESCO) - please see more information at whc. unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6341/ www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks 35
SKIHIST
The Thompson River Canyon is the dramatic backdrop to this park situated on both sides of the Trans Canada Highway near Lytton. Skihist Park protects a hot and semi-arid part of British Columbia, and beautiful Ponderosa Pines shade the campsites.
It is a favourite stopping place for travelers on the Trans Canada Highway, for either a short rest above the beautiful Thompson River Canyon, or for a few days camping in this unique part of the province.
An 8 km trail, which begins in the campground, provides excellent views of the valley, and hikers often observe wildlife on this trail through the dry uplands. For rafters and fishers the park is a convenient camping place from which to access the river, where trout, steelhead and salmon are possible in season. Skihist Park is adjacent to the Trans Canada Highway, 6 km east of Lytton or 80 km south of Cache Creek.
GWYNETH LAKE
Gwyneth Lake Park is located approximately 70 km west of Lillooet and 60 km north of Pemberton, accessed from the Hurley Forest Service Road.
The park contains a campground with six campsites and a pit toilet. All facilities are user-maintained.
The park includes a small lake and marsh. It is situated on the Hurley-Carpenter Lake road tour route from the Lower Mainland and can cater to the destination and day use needs of visitors to the Gold Bridge-Bralorne area and provides opportunities for fishing, camping, picnicking and as a base for hiking and ORV touring in the surrounding area.
To preserve vegetation and ground cover, it is prohibited to gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park.
The area can accommodate six or seven camping parties. All campsites are on a first-come, first-serve basis; reservations are not accepted. There is no fee. There are no other facilities at this park.
Ashcroft Travel Centre
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SOUTH CHILCOTIN MOUNTAINS
Chris Harris
South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park is a visually spectacular area with mid elevation grasslands, sub alpine and alpine meadows, alpine lakes and mountain peaks. The park encompasses the majority of the more major watersheds of Tyaughton and Gun Creeks, although only one bank of Tyaughton Creek is in the park in the lower section and the lower portion of Gun Creek is outside the park.
There are broad valleys and ridges with interconnecting trail systems. Over 200 km of trails through broad valleys, alpine meadows and ridges offer an excellent variety of loop trips of varying difficulty and distances for hikers, horse riders and mountain bikers. Visitors to this park will have an outstanding wilderness experience. Be bear aware.
Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and viewing spectacular mountain scenery are the main activities here, as well as wildlife viewing, fishing and skiing in winter.
This park lies approximately 150 km north of Whistler and 95 km west of Lillooet. Access from Pemberton is via the Hurley Forest Service Road to Gold Bridge (this road climbs steeply to 1,850 metres and can be very rough) or from Lillooet along Carpenter Lake on Highway 40.
To access the Jewel Bridge trail head, take the Slim Creek FSR (about 7 km east of Gold Bridge on Highway 40). off Highway 40 and heads generally north for approximately 12 km to the start of the Gun Creek/Spruce Lake Trail at Jewel Creek. Alternatively, visitors can drive to Gun Lake and access this logging road at the east end of the lake. The park may also be accessed by the southeast and east sides via logging and mining roads. Many of these roads require a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Persons visiting South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park are reminded that the park is a wilderness area, without staffed facilities or regular ranger patrols. Visitors should be selfsufficient and ready for any type of weather conditions. Weather conditions can change suddenly in this area and storms with snow are common at higher elevations in the summer.
Ranch Cabins — RV Sites — Tent Campsites — Mountain Cabins
Guided horse riding - Camp res - Mountain biking trails - Wildlife viewing Fishing - Guided hiking - Nature connection Nature x - Self-guided riding - Self-guided hiking - Conservation
adventures@chilcotinholidays.com | www.chilcotinholidays.com
For more information please contact us at:
Gun Creek Road, Gold Bridge, BC V0K 1P0 Phone 250.238.2274 • Fax: 250.238.2241
CHILCOTIN HOLIDAYS GUEST RANCH
Ranch-based log cabins with fully-equipped kitchen and laundry facilities. These secluded cabins give guests a secure base to explore the nearby wilderness.
RV and tent campsites with power, water, shower house and free firewood. These give guests the opportunity to explore the surrounding wilderness with a community team available to assist with route choice.
From the ranch cabins and campsites, guests can ride, bike, hike and fish. Many trails start from the ranch and fishing lakes are nearby. 25 mountain camps in the South Chilcotin Mountains. These camps allow wilderness users to ride, hike or bike in the mountains and subalpine meadows, knowing there is a secure camp with a log cabin and a warm fire to spend the night.
Day rides and horse pack trips heighten guests' nature connection. Chilcotin Holidays works with their partner the Chilcotin Ark Institute to get guests involved in hands-on conservation projects.
Chilcotin Holidays also runs horseback wilderness mentor guide programs for people with all levels of horse experience.
Students can sign up with Chilcotin Holidays' online training website, the Wilderness Training Academy for wilderness-themed courses including the NEW
Wilderness Steward Training Program.
Give Chilcotin Holidays a call at 250-238-2274 or take a look at their website (chilcotinholidays.com) to find out which wilderness experience is right for you.
