Dunn Peak Protected Area

About This Park

Dunn Peak Protected Area is a large wilderness area noted for important wildlife habitat, outstanding backcountry recreation opportunities, and spectacular mountain scenery. Note that no camping or day-use facilities are provided.

Special Features: This protected area has large unroaded areas and considerable areas of undisturbed old–growth forest. There are many lakes, tarns and swamps. Dunn Peak also includes a good representation of glacial erosion features not found elsewhere in the Thompson Region and includes part of the huge 1951 forest fire in the Harper Creek valley.

Park Size: 19,353 hectares, stretching from the North Thompson River in the west, to include the alpine areas of Dunn Peak, and reaching east to the bottom of Harper Creek in the Shuswap Highlands.

Special Notes:

• Aircraft access is not permitted in the park.
• Dunn Peak, called a matterhorn, at 2,634 metres elevation is the highest mountain between the Stein and the Monashees and is a dominant feature visible from as far away as Kamloops.
• This is a wilderness area with limited Park Ranger patrols. Visitors must be self-sufficient, and notify a responsible adult of anticipated date of return.

Location and Maps

• Location Map

12 km northeast of Little Fort and approx 90 km north of Kamloops. Access is by ferry and road from Little Fort on Hwy #5, or by logging road in the Harper Valley from Barriere and North Barriere Lake. The closest communities, towns and cities are Kamloops, Little Fort, Barriere, 100 Mile House and Clearwater.

Nature and Culture

• History - The park was created April 30, 1996 as a result of recommendations made in the Kamloops Land and Resource Management Plan. The park is a wilderness area that is not regularly serviced or patrolled. The park will be managed according to the Interim Management Direction Statement for Dunn Peak Park.
• Conservation - Dunn Peak Park protects a vast area encompassing part of the Thompson River floodplain and recreationally significant alpine areas, as well as many lakes, tarns and swamps. Old-growth Douglas-fir, Englemann spruce and Montane spruce are well represented in the park. There are no roads in the park. Important habitat for a large variety of significant wildlife populations including wolf, cougar, marten, river otter, black bear, mule deer and mountain goat are protected. The park includes a major fish migration route and spawning grounds in the North Thompson and North Barriere Rivers. Significant Great Blue Heron and Bald Eagle habitat are protected in the park. The park also contains good representation of glacial erosion features. Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the park's natural heritage, please don't damage or remove them
• Wildlife - Provides important habitat for cougar, wolf, black bear, mule deer, and mountain goat. The North Thompson River is noted for fish migration and spawning of trout and salmonids. Wildlife is potentially dangerous and may be encountered at any time. Make lots of noise when hiking where signs of bears are found. Park users should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment. Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife
• General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

Management Planning

Management Planning Information

• Online Management planning information for this park.

Activities Available at this Park

Climbing

Fishing

Hiking

Pets on Leash

Wildlife Viewing

Winter Recreation