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photo of Goldpan ' Goldpan Provincial Park
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important info, warnings, alerts for park visitors
general overview of park, size, special features safety, park hazards, wildlife information, health risks
park location, parks nearby, how to get to the park history, cultural heritage, conservation, wildlife
maps of park and/or campground, trails, etc. Management Planning
campsite reservations, group and picnic site reservations images of the park
 

vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping group camping - 15 or more campers picnic, day-use facilities, no camping wheelchair accessiblity drinking water toilets showers sani-stations, sani-dumps firewood, campfires There are no electrical hook-ups in this park interpretive, educational programs
walking, hiking trails playgrounds swimming canoeing, kayaking power boats, boat launch fishing cycling, mountain biking, bicycling horses, horseback riding pets, domestic animals in parks Icon Legend- Green =Available Grey = Unavailable

wildlife viewing
winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating scuba, snorkelling windsurfing waterskiing hunting climbing, rock climbing spelunking, caving cabins, yurts, lodges click on green symbols for more information

 

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.

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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

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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)

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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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vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites

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.)

Open: May 1, 2008
Closed: September 30, 2008.
Gate is closed outside of these dates (during the winter season).

Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: May 1 - September 30, 2008
Campground Reservable Dates: Not applicable
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: 14
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.
wilderness, backcountry,  walk-in camping

No wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping.

group camping - 15 or more campers

No group campsites.

picnic, day-use facilities,  no camping

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.

wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.

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drinking water

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.

toilets

There are four pit toilets located within the campground - no flush toilets.

showers

No showers.

sani-stations, sani-dumps

No sani-station/dump facilities.

firewood, campfires

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.

There are no electrical hook-ups in this park There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
interpretive,  educational  programs

There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.

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walking, hiking trails

This small park does not have hiking trails.

playgrounds

This park does not have a playground.
swimming

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.

canoeing, kayaking

Kayaking and river rafting are popular activities on the Thompson River. Spences Bridge provides an opportunity for put in for rafts and kayaks.

power boats, boat launch

This park does not have a boat launch. The swift flowing, white water of the Thompson River is not conducive to power boats.

fishing

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.

cycling, mountain biking, bicycling

Cycling is not permitted.

horses, horseback riding

No horses or horseback riding.

pets, domestic animals in parks 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.

wildlife viewing

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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winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating

No winter recreation opportunities.

scuba, snorkelling

No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.

windsurfing

No windsurfing opportunities.

waterskiing

No waterskiing opportunities.

hunting

No hunting in the park.

climbing, rock climbing

No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.

spelunking, caving

No spelunking or caving opportunities.

cabins, yurts, lodges

No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.

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