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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
- There
are no park alerts at this time.
Park
Info:
Stands of Ponderosa pine interspersed with open areas
of bunchgrass characterize this recreation area that lies
astride the Kettle River between the Okanagan Plateau
and the Monashee Mountains. The abandoned right-of-way
of the historic Kettle Valley section of the Canadian
Pacific Railway, completed in 1916 to link the Pacific
coast with southern Alberta, passes through the site.
On the east bank of the river is evidence of the once
flourishing gold and silver mines.
In the summer, excellent canoeing or inner tube riding
although there are some hazards on the river. In the winter,
cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are favourite pastimes.

Park
Size: 179
hectares
Special
Notes:
- If
you decide to walk parts of the historic Kettle Valley
Railway, the bridge across the river is still intact,
however, caution is advised at all times on and around
the bridge.
- Please note: The numbers on the campsites have recently been revised. Please check the park map for the revised campsite numbers.
Management
Planning:
Management
Planning Information
- Online
Management planning information for this park is not available at this time.
Location:
Located
5 km north of Rock Creek on Hwy 33. The closest communities,
towns and cities are Rock Creek, Westbridge, Midway, Greenwood
and Osoyoos.
Map/Brochure:
Any maps listed are for
information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be
used for navigation.

Nature
& Culture:
- History - One of Canada's most historic and scenic railway routes runs through this park. The Kettle Valley Railway opened in 1916 and discontinued service in 1973 and the track was removed between the towns of Midway and Penticton in 1980. This track now makes an excellent trail. On the east bank of the river is evidence of the once flourishing gold and silver mines.
- Cultural Heritage - There is evidence of First Nations use of the area. Some ancestors have been repatriated into the park and there are archaeological restrictions on development.
- Conservation - T he park protects two red listed plant communities: old growth cottonwood and Dry Ponderosa Pine Bunchgrass. The area is an important winter ranger for deer and there is also a high incidence of cavity nesting birds throughout the park.
- General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
Visitor
Safety:
- Poison
Ivy - A low plant white three glossy, bright green leaves
and white berries. Wear shoes when hiking, especially in underbrush.
Calamine lotion is an effective treatment.
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.
Campsite
Reservations:
Campsite
reservations
are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also
available.
Please
note: When booking a reservation for multiple
parties, please advise Discover Camping of the specific
details (ie number of parties, names of parties, dates
required to be reserved etc) if you wish to have sites
booked that are adjacent to each other.
The
Park Facility Operator will accommodate special requests
or requests for adjacent sites whenever possible, but
cannot offer any guarantee that sites will be available.
Factors
considered by PFO when pre-assigning sites for reservations:
- Groups
assigned sites close or next to each other.
- Filling
of 'Special Requests.'
- Date
when reservation first booked.
- Length/type
of RV and/or tents.
- If
children or other special concerns are present.
Group
Camp/Picnic Reservations:
Group
campsite and/or group picnic site reservations are
accepted at this park.
Explore
Parks: Fees, park listings, what
you should know before you go and other useful links.
Contact
Information:
Kaloya Contracting Ltd.
E-mail address: info@campokanagan.com
Please specify PARK NAME when sending/leaving a message.
For Employment opportunities, contact Kaloya Contracting Ltd.
For information about Camp Host opportunities, contact Kaloya Contracting Ltd.
Phone: 250 548-0076
Click here to view a non-government web link, for additional information.

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The
campground is located 1 km off the highway along
the paved access road. There are 87 vehicle
accessible campsites in the park, including eight
double sites. While there is no gatehouse, an
information shelter and telephone are located
at the entrance to the campground. If no staff
are present, campers can self-register and put
their deposit in the self-registration vault
which is across from site 12. Campsite
reservations are accepted and first-come,
first-served sites are also available.
The
sites are arranged in two loops and along the road
in between the loops. Most of the sites are large
with gravel pads and plenty of space for backing
in. The sites are located in the beautiful, open
Ponderosa pine/bunchgrass forest with the red-orange
bark of the trees contrasting sharply with the bland
grass. This forest type gives the campground an
open, spacious feeling. The exception is sites 55-87,
in the second loop. These are very private and found
in thick Douglas fir with many shrubs separating
the sites. The closest store is 5 km away in Rock
Creek.
Check-in
procedures:
- Guests
with reservations: Check reservation
board at campground entrance for pre-assigned
site number.
- Guests
without reservations: Check reservation
board at campround entrance for list of sites
available on a first come first served basis.
Vehicle
Accessible Camping Fee: $19.00 per party / night BC
Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$9.50 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.)
|
April -
October 15 2008 approx
(gate is closed during the off-season, but park
is accessible on foot) |
| Campground
Dates with Full Services and Fees: |
May
1 - September 21 2008 approx
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| Campground
Reservable Dates: |
May
16 - September 1 |
| Total
Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: |
87 |
| Number
of Reservable Campsites, if applicable:
(all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
campsites number 8 through to 53 are reserveable. (45 total) |
| 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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There is no wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping,
though there are 15 tent pads in the campground. Where
applicable, the tent pads are found behind the site
and are framed gravel. Please stay on the designated
tent pad.
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There
are group campsites at this park. The group camping
area is accessed from the road to the day use just
past the turn-off to the regular campground. The
gravel road is gated and leads to a fenced gravel
parking loop. There is room for roughly ten vehicles
along the loop, more in the open center of the loop.
Surrounding the fenced parking is a band of lawn
then open Ponderosa pine/bunchgrass forest. There
are 13 tables on the lawn area that has potential
for tenting with plenty of shade provided by the
Ponderosa pines. There are two flush toilets, one
wheelchair accessible pit toilet just off the parking
as well as two taps and two fire rings. There is
also a half-wall log frame shelter with cement floor.
Inside are a stove, sink, counter and six tables.
The area is on a terrace above the river and there
are benches along the edge overlooking the river.
Click here
for reservation information.
Group
Camping Fee: $19.00 per party / night
Youth
Group
Camping Fee: $50.00 per group / night
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This park has a day-use/picnic area situated right
on the beautiful Kettle River. There is a gravel parking
lot though no vehicles over 24 feet or trailers are
permitted due to space restrictions. There is a hand
pump for water near the parking as well as two pit
toilets. A short, 30m walk from the parking lot brings
visitors to the river and 10 picnic tables with excellent
views of the river. The tables are separated by shrubs
and well shaded. There is a tap near the tables. The
amount of beachfront varies with water level. A 2 km
trail follows the river.
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Site 38 is wheelchair accessible. The pad around the
table is paved and there is paved access to the site
and to the toilet as well.
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Cold
water taps are located throughout the park. Taps are
shut off during the off-season.
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Pit
and flush toilets are located throughout the park. |
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No
showers.
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A
sani-station/dump is available during the collecting
season. Drinking water is available here. Sani-station
Use Fee: $2.00 per discharge
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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.
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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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One
of Canada's most historic and scenic railway routes
runs through this park. The Kettle Valley Railway opened
in 1916 and discontinued service in 1973 and the track
was removed between the towns of Midway and Penticton
in 1980. This track now part of the Trans
Canada Trail,
a shared-use recreation trail that will wind its way
through every Province and Territory forming the longest
trail of its kind in the world, spanning approximately
17, 898 kilometres. It will accommodate five core activities:
walking, cycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing
and snowmobiling (where possible/desired). If you
decide to walk parts of the historic Kettle Valley
Railway, the bridge across the river is still intact,
however, caution is advised at all times on and around
the bridge. For your own safety and the preservation
of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated
trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and
soil structure.
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The
adventure playground is quite popular in this park.
A horseshoe pitch is also available.
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Swimming
in the river is available, as well as, tubing along
the river currents. Always be cautious. There are no
lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
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Canoeing
and kayaking are available.
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This
park does not have a boat launch.
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There is a bait ban on the Kettle River above Cascade
Falls from April 1 to Oct 31. Anyone fishing or
angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate
licence.
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Bicycles
must keep to roadways and designated trails. Bicycle
helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
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No
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 are no viewing platforms to see wildlife but there
are great views of the river from the many benches in the park.

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The open forest and Kettle Valley Railway, make for great cross-country
skiing, though the area generally receives only
moderate snowfall. Depending on snowfall, there
are snowshoeing opportunities as well. There are
no designated trails other than the Kettle Valley
Railway (KVR).
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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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