Looking to get outside this spring and summer? Whether seeking a day trip, or an overnight camping excursion, the Thompson-Nicola region boasts many beautiful options for exploration within a short driving distance.
BC Parks reminds campers that long weekend reservations require a booking of three nights minimum for front country camping, which includes Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
“Only book for dates that you intend to use,” BC Parks said in an email sent out on Jan. 7. “Access to reservations should be fair and equal for everyone.”
Additionally, every outdoor space in B.C. has a unique ecosystem and a rich cultural heritage. Please camp with respect to these spaces and practice Leave No Trace. To learn more about the seven principals of Leave No Trace, visit Leave No Trace Canada.
While camping, do not approach wildlife, and be Bear Aware if recreating in areas with populations. Bears are attracted to food and garbage, so never store food in tents or leave it outside in a cooler.
Always take into consideration any fire restrictions or bans when camping. There are currently no open fire prohibitions in effect in the Kamloops Fire Centre, but stay up-to-date by visiting the province’s dedicated web page.
The website Hipcamp also features private spots for camping, from tent sites to glamping available near Kamloops.
If we missed any great camping areas in Kamloops please let us know by emailing us at editor@thewrennews.ca
Campbell Lake
Located to the southeast of Kamloops, Campbell Lake has a recreation site with 31 campsites and has been a popular spot for fishing. The lake spans 115.4 hectares and approximately 285 acres.
The recreation area has a boat launch, tables and toilets. There is a $15 camping fee operating on a first-come, first-served basis once you get to the recreation site.
Duffy Lake
Duffy Lake is located south of Cherry Creek on Greenstone Mountain, the recreation site has 52 campsites. It is popular among fishers and off-road vehicle motorists due to its trails and rainbow trout.
The site has boat launch, tables and toilets along with a $15 camping fee. Camping works on a first-come, first-served basis once you get to the recreation site.
Lac Le Jeune Provincial Park
The park offers various activities like fishing, boating, hiking, biking, paddling and swimming along with a recreation site that has 144 campsites.
For frontcountry camping folks can drive their vehicle directly to the campsite, making it accessible and easy to set up. For vehicle accessible camping there is a $23 fee per party per night. There is a BC seniors’ rate depending on the time of year.
BC parks has a website available to reserve your campsite online, giving you the option to choose a tent, camper, trailer or RV at Lac Le Jeune. For camping, bookings are required from May 10 to Sept. 22 and the area fills up fast.
The campsite has a boat launch, tables, toilets, playgrounds, sani-station and potable water. The campground officially opens on May 15.
Paul Lake Provincial Park
Paul Lake is located to the northeast of Kamloops with 90 campsites surrounded by trees, offering various activities like cycling, wildlife viewing, fishing, canoeing, swimming, hiking and a beach.
The park operates on a first-come, first-served basis, but campsite reservations are also available online. For vehicle-accessible camping there is a $18 fee per party, per night including a tent, camper, trailer or RV. There is a BC seniors’ rate depending on the time of year. The campground officially opens on May 15 and gates are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
The campsite has a boat launch, picnic areas, toilets, playgrounds, sani-station and potable water.
Steelhead (Sk’emqin) Provincial Park
Located near Kamloops Lake for those travelling through Highway 1, this is an overnight camping spot easier for travelers, boating and fishing enthusiasts. The park has 240 metres of beach on the lake, the campground is located near Savona along with amenities.
Steelhead (Sk’emqin) has 44 campsites operated on a first-come, first-served basis and reservations are not accepted. Some campsites overlook the lake, others the river and others are in a field with room for large vehicles. For vehicle-accessible camping there is a $23 fee per party, per night. There is a $5 fee for electrified sites per night and a BC seniors’ rate depending on the time of year.
Activities like waterskiing, windsurfing, cycling, fishing, canoeing, swimming and hiking are available at the campground. The campgrounds have a boat launch, electrical hook-ups, potable water, picnic areas, toilets and showers.
Tunkwa Lake Provincial Park
The park is located southwest of Kamloops with mid elevation grasslands, wetlands and forests. It has two man-made trout fishing lakes, Tunkwa and Leighton. Tunkwa Lake is one of the top ten provincial rainbow trout fisheries.
There are three separate campgrounds which offer 55 traditional style sites and 220 informal sites.The traditional camping site can accommodate anywhere from a tent to a large recreational vehicle. The informal sites allow groups of camping units to camp together. Some areas are designated for long-stay camping where a minimum of four consecutive weeks have to be booked. Contact a park operator to book for long stays.
For vehicle accessible camping there is a $18 fee per party per night and long-stay camping has a $70 fee per week. There is a BC seniors’ rate depending on the time of year. Activities like fishing, hunting, canoeing, swimming and hiking are available.
The campground has picnic areas, toilets, potable water, and boat launch.
Edith Lake
The lake is located to the south of Kamloops, it has 14 exposed sites and is known to be a popular place for fishing and paddling. Rainbow trout is available at the lake along with fly fishing and trolling.
The recreation area has a boat launch, wharf, tables and toilets. There is a $15 camping fee operating on a first come, first served basis once you get to the recreation site. The campsites cannot be reserved and if there is camping it is limited to fourteen consecutive days per visit.
Isobel Lake
Isobel Lake has some activities including hiking, fishing, paddling, swimming, biking, canoeing and more. It has a three kilometre low mobility trail with benches, picnic tables, outhouses, docks, boat launch and toilets.
There is a stock of rainbow trout on the lake, along with 19 campsites and no fees are charged for camping.
Pass Lake
Pass Lake is popular among fly fishers to get rainbow trout. There are 13 campsites available with no overnight fees.
Amenities like toilets, boat launch, picnic tables and hiking trails are available. Camping is limited to a maximum of 14 consecutive days per visit.
East Barrière Lake
East Barrière Lake recreation site has recreational opportunities like watersports. The campground has 16 campsites where there is a $15 camping fee operating on a first come, first served basis and will officially be open on May 15.
Amenities like toilets, boat launch, picnic tables, hiking trails, fishing, canoeing and swimming are available. Camping is only allowed for a maximum of 14 consecutive days per visit.
Mcgillivray Lake
Mcgillivray Lake is located near Sun Peaks and is popular for fishing. It is considered a swampy lake with characteristics like barrage of mosquitoes and leaches at the edges of the lake.
There are three campsites available and no fees need to be paid. Camping is only allowed for a maximum of 14 consecutive days per visit. It has tables and toilets available. Some water activities can be done in the lake.
Heffley Lake
Heffley Lake is a popular spot over the summer with 30 campsites available which cannot be reserved in advance. There are several boat launching areas available depending on the watercraft. Amenities like toilets, picnic tables, fishing and canoeing are available.
There is a $15 camping fee operating on a first come, first served basis and camping is only allowed for a maximum of 14 consecutive days per visit.
There is also a privately owned area called Lakeside Heffley Hideaway which will open for the May long weekend. There are hiking and water spots available as well as camping starting at $50 per night. If you want to know more you can visit their website.
Johnson Lake
Johnson Lake is close to Barrière, the campground has 12 campsites operating on a first come, first served basis. The recreation site is considered to be rustic with two pit toilets and no running water or electricity in the area.
Make sure to follow proper outdoor etiquette since there can be overcrowding and misuse, leading to environmental challenges. There is a car-top boat launching access only and there is a recommended engine power restriction of 7.5 kilowats at the lake.
There is a $15 camping fee and camping is only allowed for a maximum of 14 consecutive days per visit.
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