Downing Provincial Park
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A campfire ban is currently in effect for this park. For more information about campfire bans and about provincial parks with park closures and campfire bans in effect, visit the BC Parks campfire ban webpage.
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As of October 2, 2009 the area affected by the Kelly Creek fire is no longer restricted to the public. The Restricted Area Order has been lifted. The area that was previously restricted included the area bounded by the Fraser River to the west, Big Bar Road to the North and East, and Highway 97 to Kelly Lake Road on the South.
Park Info
This park is a small but popular park that almost encircles attractive Kelly Lake. Views of mountains, and 2,245 metre Mount Bowman, a spectacular mountain ridge visible from the nearby Jesmond Road, give the park a remote atmosphere, though it is located close to Clinton.
The walk-in lakeside campsites are spread out over a lush, grassy field adjacent to the campground parking lot. Swimming in Kelly Lake is enjoyable from the long sandy beach. Angling for rainbow trout is a popular past time. Many visitors use the park as a stopping place as they travel the Pavilion Mountain Road, which connects the Cariboo to Lillooet. This scenic alternative to Highway 99 is unpaved, narrow and switch-backed and best suited for compact 4X4 vehicles.
The park land was donated to the people of BC by C. S. Downing in 1970, and his family still owns adjacent property. Please respect this private property by keeping to the road when walking between the day-use area and campground.
Nearby parks also offering campgrounds include Green Lake and Big Bar Lake. Visitors can also travel along the Jesmond Loop, by travelling north-west from the park to Jesmond Road. This scenic drive passes by the historic townsite of Jesmond, where the OK Corral - one of the oldest ranches in the area - is situated, and continues past Little Big Bar Lake. The loop also accesses the Jesmond fire lookout by way of a narrow four-wheel drive road, from which adventurous visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including Marble Range and Edge Hills Provincial Parks. This route eventually connects with Highway 97 and provides a scenic trip for travellers heading to Green Lake or beyond.
Park Size: 100 hectares
Special Notes:
Please respect the Downing property by keeping to the road when walking between the day-use area and the campground.
| Campground Hours of Operation
All dates are subject to change without notice |
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| Opening and Closing Campground Dates: | June 15 – September 8 |
| Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: | June 15 – September 8 |
| Campground Reservable Dates: | Not applicable |
| Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: | 18 park/walk-in sites |
| Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
Not applicable |
General Visitor Information
Kelly Lake is subject to strong winds throughout the year. Keep this in mind if you venture out onto the water to fish or swim.
Location
The park is located 18 km south-west of Clinton. Turn off Hwy 97 at the south end of Clinton onto the Kelly Lake Road, which is paved as far as the park. The closest communities, towns and cities are Clinton, 100 Mile House, Ashcroft and Cache Creek.
Nature & Culture
- History - The park was donated by C.S. Downing in 1970, and his family still owns the adjacent property.
- Cultural Heritage - The park is located within the traditional territory of the Secwepemc (Shuswap) People. While no heritage sites are known within the park, please remember it is illegal to damage such sites or remove artifacts.
- Conservation - Although the focus is on recreation at Downing Park, it is close to two larger parks with important conservation values. The Jesmond Road, which leaves Kelly Lake Road just east of the park, winds through the corridor between Marble Range and Edge Hills Parks. The Marble Range features karst landscapes, known for limestone cliffs and outcrops, while Edge Hills is a grassland park on the east bank of the Fraser River.
- General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
Management Planning
Management Planning Information
- The Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan for this park is now available in pdf format.
Activities Available At This Park
Canoeing | ||
Cycling | ||
Fishing | ||
appropriate licence.
Pets on Leash | ||
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Swimming | ||
Facilities Available At This Park
Boat Launch | ||
Campfires | ||
Drinking Water | ||
Picnic Areas | ||
Pit or Flush Toilets | ||
Vehicle Accessible Camping | ||
If there is no staff at the campground upon arrival, choose a site and pay at the self-registration box in the campground. Staff will be at the campground at least once a day during the camping season. There is no pay phone at the park and the closest store is around 18km away in Clinton.






