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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
- There are no park alerts at this time.
Park
Info:
Nestled among an open stand of lodgepole pine, spruce and fir, Lac Le
Jeune Park appeals to campers and anglers seeking an easily-accessible
getaway spot. The park offers a diverse assortment of
recreational activities including swimming, fishing, boating,
hiking, biking, and nature appreciation. The campground
serves as a base for recreational use at both Stake and
Walloper Lakes. The park sees high use during the summer
season. During the winter the area is used for cross-country
skiing with no vehicle access.
Special Feature: The park
land addition in 1996 protects large marsh areas.

Park
Size: 213
hectares
Special
Notes:
- The
park is used for informal cross-country skiing in the winter
and connects to the Stake Lake Ski Trail system.
Management
Planning:
Location:
Take the
Lac Le Jeune Exit off Hwy #5 (the Coquihalla) at 37 km
south of Kamloops/47 km north of Merritt. There is also
26 km of paved access off the Hwy #1 at Kamloops. Due
to its elevation, at 1,280 metres, the weather is cooler,
a welcome relief from the desert conditions of the valleys
to north and south.
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 - The original
47 hectare park was designated in 1956. An additional 118 hectares
of upland and 48 hectares of foreshore was designated in 1996
as a result of recommendations made in the Kamloops Land and
Resources Management Plan. It was intended that the addition
be kept natural, with no development or vehicle access. The
park will be managed according to the Management Direction Statement
for Lac Le Jeune Park.
- Conservation - The park protects upland and riparian habitats on portions of Lac Le Jeune. The trout fishery is provincially significant. A marsh on the east side of the lake is protected. A sunscreening canopy of lodgepole pine plays shadows on the pine grass of this lakeside park. The waters of Lac Le Jeune are famous for fighting rainbow trout.
Cycles of Change (pdf) - Flyer about the Mountain Pine Beetle in Lac Le Jeune Provincial Park.
- Wildlife - The park provides habitat for moose, mule deer, beaver, osprey, song birds and waterfowl.
- General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
Visitor
Safety:
- Black
bears are common in the area. In 2004, three bears had
to be destroyed because they became habituated to eating
food and garbage left out by careless campers. Please
read more on bear
safety.
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.
Explore
Parks: Fees, park listings, what
you should know before you go and other useful links.
Contact
Information:
Brandywine Environmental Management
Ltd.
E-mail address: brwill@telus.net
Phone: 1-250-828-9533
Click here to view a non-government
web link, for additional information.

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There
are vehicle accessible campsites with 21 double
sites. Most sites will accommodate medium to large
size recreational units. The sites are treed and
provide a fair amount of privacy. With a small or
medium sized camping unit, there will be room for
a second vehicle. Campsite
reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served
sites are also available.
During
the shoulder season, if there are no staff at the
gatehouse upon arrival, choose a site and pay later.
Staff will be at the campground at least once a
day. During the high season staff will occupy the
gatehouse during the opening hours of the park and
fees can be paid there. If you have a reservation,
check the reservation board beside the gatehouse
to learn which site has been allocated to you.
-
The front gate is locked from 11:00 pm to 7:00
am.
-
There is a resort five minutes from the park providing
a few amenities.
- A
pay phone is located at the entrance to the park.
- There
are two recycle centres in the campground.
- There
is no wilderness backcountry camping.
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.)
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May 15 - September 15
Off-season: self-contained units in day use area; no fee; no services. |
| Campground
Dates with Full Services and Fees: |
May 15 - September 15
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| Campground
Reservable Dates: |
May
15 - September 4 |
| Total
Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: |
144 |
| Number
of Reservable Campsites, if applicable:
(all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
87 |
| 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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There
are 34 picnic tables. The day-use is a large grassy
area near the shore of the lake. Large fir trees
shade some of the tables. There is a parking lot
adjacent to the day -use. Next to the day-use is
a picnic shelter. The picnic shelter contains 5
tables, counter space, a sink but no water hook-up
and has lexan windows to provide protection from
the wind.
Day-use
Area Vehicle Parking Fee:
$1.00 per vehicle / hour to a maximum of $3.00 per vehicle per/day. For information about yearly parking passes, or further information
about parking fees, click
here.
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There
is a 240' fishing wharf provided for physically challenged
anglers. Some facilities and hiking trails in the
park
are wheelchair accessible, as are 2 stalls each in
the flush toilet buildings.
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There are potable cold water taps located throughout
the campground.
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Pit
toilets and flush pit toilets are located throughout the campground.
Flush toilets are located in the day-use area.
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There
are no shower facilities.
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A
user pay sani-station is located near the entrance
to the park.
Sani-station
Use Fee: $2.00 per discharge
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Firewood can be purchased
from the Park Facility Operator or you may bring your
own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may
vary. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, it is
prohibited to 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.
If you rely on campfires for cooking, be prepared to
bring a portable stove should a campfire ban be implemented.
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There are no electrical hook-ups in this park. |
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Naturalist,
interpretive and educational programs are being
held during the summer season. Programs are
designed for children but entertaining for adults
as well. The programs are educational and include
guest speakers, presentations with animals from
the BC Wildlife Park and various types of entertainment.
There is no charge for the presentations. The
interpretive programs are held at the amphitheatre
unless it rains and then held in the picnic
shelter. Click here for a schedule of programs.
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The
Gus Johnson trail circles the lake. through forest
and skirting wet meadows. It is approx. 8 km in
length. From the park there is access to the Gus
Johnson trail and the extensive Stake Lake trail
system. Stake Lake provides over 45 km of trails.
Both trails are used for hiking, biking and cross-country
skiing.
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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There
is an adventure playground and two horseshoe pitches
located near the centre of the campground, close
to the day-use area.
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There
is 146 metres of sandy beach. Swimming is popular
and there is a sectioned off swim area. There are
no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
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Canoe,
kayak and paddle-boat rentals are available;
contact the Park Facility Operator or the Campground
Host for information.
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There
is a concrete car ramp for boats. There is also a speed
restriction of 20 km/h on the lake.
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Lac
Le Jeune is famous for its rainbow trout fish, an
average size of 1.5 kgs.
There is a 250' long fishing wharf located in
front of the day-use area.
Other fish in the lake include brook and bull trout,
mountain whitefish and lake chub. There are numerous
area lakes providing ice fishing opportunities during
the winter season.
Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must
have an
appropriate licence.
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Bicycles
must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory
in British Columbia. Cycling
opportunities are available on the Gus Johnson and
Stake Lake trails with over 45 km of trails.
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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 park buildings. On the beach, pets are
restricted to a signed area near the west end of the
parking lot. 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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Moose, bear, lynx and other animals can be seen
along the Gus Johnson and Stake Lake trails. Many
birds, including waterfowl, are found along the
lakeshore. Watch for Great Blue Heron waiting motionless
at the water's edge.

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Cross-country skiing is popular on the Gus Johnson
trail on the east and south side of the lake, and
the adjacent Stake Lake ski area provides 45 km
of groomed trails.
Snowshoeing opportunities and ice-skating are available
in the Stake Lake area.
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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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There are no cabins, yurts or lodges in the park but some private lodges
nearby.
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