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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
- The Thompson River is rising. Use caution near the
river's edge.
Park
Info:
Goldpan was constructed in 1956 on the banks of the Thompson
River. It is a convenient overnight camping spot for travelers
on Hwy #1 and is a destination site for fishermen during
peak fishing times. 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.

Park
Size: 5
hectares
Special
Notes:
- Quiet
Hours - are 10 pm to 7 am. Music, generators, etc. must
be shut off completely between these hours.
- Hibachis
and Campstoves - can burn the picnic tables. Please do
not use them on the tables.
- Valuables
- when left unattended or at night, should be stored
out of sight and locked up at all times. Please
report all thefts to the park staff as soon as possible.
- Traffic
Safety - The speed limit within the park is 20 km/hour
or less.
- Motorcycles
and Bicycles - are permitted on park roads only. Motorcycles
must be properly licensed
and must
be operated by a licensed driver only. Helmets
must be worn.
Unlicensed ATV's or dirt bikes are not permitted.
- Parking
- is prohibited on the side of the road. Please park
on the gravelled portion of your campsite
or in
designated parking spaces. Vehicles parked in
day-use areas after
11 pm may be ticketed or towed.
- Pets
- must be on leash (no longer than 2 metres) at all times
while in the park. They are not
allowed on
beaches
or in day use areas. Owners must clean up after
their pets.
- Consumption
of Alcohol - is prohibited except in your campsite.
Management
Planning:
Location:
This park is located on the east bank of the Thompson River
adjacent to Hwy #1, 10 km south of Spences Bridge.
Map/Brochure:
Any maps listed are for
information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be
used for navigation.
- There
are no digital maps or brochures for this park.
- Location
Map

Nature & Culture:
- History - Established
in 1956 the park provides access to the river for visitors.
The Thompson Canyon area where Goldpan is situated is rich in history. The historic Cariboo Wagon Road passes through the area.The starting point of the road was in Yale and construction of the road took place between 1862 and 1865. The road was a narrow, treacherous track winding along the cliffs of the canyon and allowed stagecoaches and freight wagons access to the interior of BC. The road linked the gold fields of the Cariboo to Vancouver.
- Cultural
Heritage - There is evidence of First Nations activity in the area in regards to fishing
and using the river for a travel route.
- Wildlife - Fish species in the Thompson River include trout, steelhead, and salmon. Osprey can be seen flying over the river.
- General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
Visitor
Safety:
- The
extremely hot, dry climate can result in overexposure
to the sun. Everyone in your party should
wear sunscreen of at least SPF 15, and a hat with a
brim.
- The
waters of the Thompson River are very swift, especially
in June and July during high water. Use caution in
and around the waters edge.
- Wood
ticks are most prevalent between March and June. These
parasites reside in tall
grass and low shrubbery
and seek
out warm-blooded hosts. Although they are potential
carriers of disease, they are a natural part of the
environment and can be easily avoided. Your legs should
be protected
by wearing trousers tucked into socks or gaiters.
After
outdoor activity, thoroughly examine yourself.
Check your pets for ticks as well. See the below Visitor
Safety Information for more details regarding ticks.
- Roadways can be very busy. Whether you are walking, cycling,
roller-blading, skateboarding or driving, please be careful.
Always yield to the slowest mode of travel; e.g., cyclists
yield to walkers. Obey all traffic regulations and rules
of the road.
Visitor
Safety Information (park
safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

Reservations:For
parks that accept reservations,
all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover
Camping.
Reservations
are not accepted at this park, all campsites are on a first-come,
first-served basis. For parks that accept reservations or
information on the reservation service, click
here.
Explore
Parks: Fees, park listings, what
you should know before you go and other useful links.
Contact
Information:
B/L Parks Contracting Ltd.
E-mail address: info@bcinteriorparks.com
General Office phone: (250) 378-5334 (April to October)
Please specify PARK NAME when sending or leaving a message
For Employment & Camp Host opportunities, please e-mail to address shown
above.
Park
Information number for this park: (250) 455-2708 (May
to September)
Click
here to view a non-government website for additional
information.

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Goldpan
has 14 camping sites on a first-come, first-served
basis. Each site is situated above the river bank
and provides a view of the river. These sites are
small to medium in size and can accommodate tents,
campers and medium sized trailers. Large camping
units will have trouble maneuvering the roadways
of this small park. There is a turn around at each
end of the park allowing a limited turning radius.
Most sites are provided some shade, depending on
the time of day. There are two double campsites.
During July and August this is a very popular campground
and begins filling up by 4:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon.
The gates at Goldpan are not closed at night The
closest store is located at Spences Bridge, 10 km
north.
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 information kiosk. Please detach the receipt
portion and attach to the campsite number post.
You may also pre-pay for firewood with your campsite
self registration. Staff will be at the campground
at least once a day during the camping season.
Vehicle
Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night BC
Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$7.50 per senior's couple/night
Hours
of Operation - All dates are subject
to change without notice |
Opening
and Closing Campground Dates: (campground
is accessible but may not offer full services
such as water, security, etc.)
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Open:
May 1, 2008
Closed:
September 30, 2008.
Gate is closed outside of these dates
(during the winter season).
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| Campground
Dates with Full Services and Fees: |
May
1 -
September 30, 2008
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| Campground
Reservable Dates: |
Not
applicable |
| Total
Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: |
14
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| Number
of Reservable Campsites, if applicable:
(all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
Not
applicable |
| Note: The above information is for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor Notice" above for park alerts. |
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No
wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping.
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No
group campsites.
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Day-use
facilities are located at the entrance to the park
adjacent to the highway.
There are seven picnic tables. This day-use site overlooks
the Thompson River.
There is no shade provided at this site.
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There
are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
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There
is a potable water handpump located next to the
information shelter. Water used from the river should
be treated or boiled before being consumed.
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There are four pit toilets located within the campground
- no flush toilets. |
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No
showers.
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No
sani-station/dump facilities.
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No campfires allowed in the day use area. Ensure
that barbeques or campstoves are used on the ground,
not set on picnic tables.
Campers may bring their own firewood or purchase
firewood at the park. Firewood can be purchased from the Park Facility
Operator in some parks or you can bring your own
wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may
vary. You may pre-pay for firewood with your campsite
self registration. To preserve vegetation and ground
cover, please don't gather firewood from the area
around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead
wood is an important habitat element for many plants
and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping
your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire
bans may be implemented and some parks may use communal
fire rings. Be prepared to bring a portable stove
for cooking.
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There are no electrical hook-ups in this park. |
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There
are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at
this park.
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This
small park does not have hiking trails.
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This
park does not have a playground. |
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The
waters
of the Thompson River are dangerously swift, especially
in the high water of June and July. Use caution
and
watch children in and around the river's edge. During
lower water levels, visitors will swim in shallow
areas, but caution needs to be used as the water
is swift flowing.
The beach is made up of mostly large rock.
There
are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
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Kayaking
and river rafting are popular activities on the
Thompson River. Spences Bridge provides an opportunity
for put in for rafts and kayaks.
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This
park does not have a boat launch. The swift flowing,
white water of the Thompson River is not conducive
to power boats.
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The
Thompson River contains trout, steelhead and salmon.
There is 600 meters of river frontage. Anyone fishing
or angling in British Columbia must have
an appropriate licence.
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Cycling
is not permitted.
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No
horses or horseback riding.
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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.
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There is no viewing platform but in the Spences Bridge area, California
Bighorn sheep can be observed on the surrounding hills.

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No
winter recreation opportunities. |
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No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
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No
windsurfing opportunities. |
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No
waterskiing opportunities. |
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No
hunting in the park. |
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No
climbing or rock climbing opportunities. |
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No
spelunking or caving opportunities. |
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No
cabins, yurts or lodges for public use. |
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