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.
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
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.
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.
G & P Kleenery Ltd
E-mail address: gpkleenery@telus.net
Phone: (250) 397-2523
Activities Available At This Park
Canoeing
Kelly Lake is very small, so any canoeing or kayaking will be limited, but relatively safe. Strong winds may be experienced anytime during the year so beware of the weather when out on the lake.
Cycling
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Fishing
Kelly Lake has rainbow trout and is popular with anglers. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Pets on Leash
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Swimming
There is a very pleasant swimming beach in the park. Swimmers need to be aware that the lake bottom drops off sharply and of the strong winds that arise on the lake. The swimming area is not roped off and there are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Facilities Available At This Park
Boat Launch
There is a small, single-wide gravel boat launch located approximately 0.5 km past the day use area on the same road. Kelly Lake is fairly small and not ideal for waterskiing on.
Campfires
While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood.Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
Drinking Water
Cold water taps are centrally located in the campground and picnic areas. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
Picnic Areas
This park has a day-use/picnic area. The picnic area, situated on Kelly Lake, is located about 0.5 km west of the campground entrance. There are waterfront tables in the picnic area and a picnic shelter with additional tables. There are also fire pits, pit toilets and water taps in the day-use area.
Pit or Flush Toilets
This park only has pit toilets located throughout the campground and picnic areas. This park has no flush toilets.
Vehicle Accessible Camping
This park offers 18 campsites on a first-come, first-served basis - campsite reservations are not accepted. This campground has tenting sites spread over a lush, grassy area next to the lake. The distance to walk from the parking area is minimal (less than 20 metres or 60 feet). Although there is limited parking space available for R.V.'s, the peaceful setting of this park draws such visitors to it each year.
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.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$7.50 per senior's couple/night
