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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
- There are no park alerts at this time.
Park
Info:
A small, quiet campground, set between two small lakes Turquoise
and Crown. This park is popular with fishermen and birders.
Nestled in the rugged Pavilion Mountain Range. The limestone
canyon in which Marble Canyon Provincial Park is located
is a rather rare geological formation in British Columbia.
That's what makes picnicking here such an unusual experience.
You can sense there's something different; the white, chalk-faced
slopes are certainly not composed of granite, as are the
nearby Coast Mountains. And the weathered peaks, surmounted
by the remarkable Chimney Rock, have the appearance of a
crumbling castle wall. This canyon was once part of a Pacific
island chain, another section of which lies in the northwest
corner of the province. A waterfall on the far side of suitably
named Turquoise Lake reminds you of the power of the elements
to eventually wear all things down.
Visit historic Hat Creek Ranch and the town of Lillooet,
both nearby. Explore the area, rich in the history of the
Interior Salish people and the pioneers who followed the gold
rush and homesteaded this area.

Park
Size: 355
hectares
Special
Notes:
- The
nearest public telephone is at Hat Creek Ranch 26 km east at the junction of Hwys 97 and 99.
- 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:
Management
Planning Information
Location:
40 km
northwest of Cache Creek, off Hwy #99.
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 - Established
in 1956 with the addition of Pavilion Lake on April 18th, 2001.
- Cultural
Heritage - The Pavilion
Indian Band holds special heritage and spiritual connection to
Pavilion
Lake and the surrounding land.
- Conservation - From the campground, view spectacular limestone cliffs 1 km high, part of the Pavilion Range. The park boundary now includes all of Pavilion Lake and the lake bottom to protect the unique and sensitive freshwater stromatolite features. Because the stromatolites are fragile scuba diving in Pavilion Lake requires specialised training.
Pavilion
Lake is only one of a few places in the world where
freshwater stromatolite features can be found. Similar
stromatolites to 1-2 cm have been found at nearby Kelly
Lake, but there are no known freshwater stromatolites
anywhere else that approach the large size of those
found at Pavilion Lake. There are large stromotalites
found in hypersaline conditions in Hamelin Pool, which
is part of the Shark Bay world heritage site in Australia. Click
here for information on Pavilion
Lake Research Project.
The coral-like structures are formed from fossilized remains of micro-organisms (microbiolites) that are considered to be similar to some of the oldest known lifeforms on Earth. Microbiolites are believed to have formed a critical stage in the evolution of life on earth. There is also scientific speculation that search for life on other planets such as Mars would focus on finding fossilized remains of similar organisms.
- Wildlife - Trout are found in Crown, Turquoise, and Pavilion Lakes.
Black bears are frequently seen in the area.
- 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.
- 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.
Click
here to view a non-government website for additional
information.

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This
park offers 30 high-density vehicle/tent accessible
campsites on a first-come, first-served basis -
campsite reservations are not accepted. 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
water pump. Please detach the receipt portion and
attach to the clip on the picnic table. You
may
also pre-pay 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
Campground 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.)
|
Year
round
Gate is open year round. |
| Campground
Dates with Full Services and Fees: |
April 25 - September 30, 2008.
Off-season: no fees, no water, no garbage removal,
no firewood, one pit toilet open, user maintained.
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| Campground
Reservable Dates: |
Not
applicable |
| Total
Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: |
30 |
| 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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This park has limited day-use/picnic facilities on
the edge the campground.
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There
are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
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There
is one hand pump.
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This
park has pit toilets - no flush toilets. |
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No
showers.
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No
sani-station/dump facilities.
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Campfires
are permitted and firepits are provided.
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.
Please
ensure that all barbeques or campstoves are used
on the ground and not set on picnic tables.
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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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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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This
park does not have a playground. |
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There
is a small sandy beach on Crown Lake. There are no lifeguards
on duty at provincial parks.
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There
are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking on Pavilion,
Crown and Turquoise Lakes.
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This
park does not have a boat launch.
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Rainbow
Trout fishing to 1 kg at Crown, Pavilion and Turquoise
Lakes. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia
must have an appropriate
licence. There
are opportunities for ice fishing in this park.
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Cycling
is not permitted.
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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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The
white, chalk-faced slopes are certainly not composed of granite, as are
the nearby Coast Mountains. And the weathered peaks, surmounted by the
remarkable Chimney Rock, have the appearance of a crumbling castle wall.
This canyon was once part of a Pacific island chain, another section of
which lies in the northwest corner of the province. A waterfall on the
far side of suitably named Turquoise Lake reminds you of the power of the
elements to eventually wear all things down. 
|
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No
winter recreation opportunities. |
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There are
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. Click
here for more information.
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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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Marble Canyon Provincial Park has one of the best
and most easily accessed icefalls in the region.
Lower Mainland rock climbers have opened dozens
of routes over the past decade in this area, which
has come to be known as the "Cinderella of
BC rock," because of its still relatively undiscovered
beauty. A maze of canyons run off on both sides
of the main canyon, through which the highway makes
it way as it passes beside the brilliantly hued
Turquoise, Crown, and Pavilion Lakes. Chimney Rock,
known as Coyote Rock by members of the Fountain
Band First Nation, dominates the crenellated skyline.
The best description of routes such as the Headwall
and the Great Gully are found in "Central B.C.
Rock" by Lyle Knight, a comprehensive climbing
guide to routes in the Lillooet region north through
the Central Interior and east through the Okanogan
and West Kootenays.
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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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