Roche Lake Provincial Park

About This Park

Seven world-class stocked rainbow trout lakes, only two of which are served by maintained gravel roads, on the Thompson Plateau. The park includes rustic campsites that are located on two of the lakes. This is a year-round recreation area, noted for camping, hunting, wildlife viewing, fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

Park Size: 2,041 hectares

Stay Safe:

The park is natural habitat for black bears. Campers must keep all food in vehicles and deposit garbage in bear-proof garbage cans. Please read more on bear safety under the General Visitor Information section.

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
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:	May 1 - October 4 (Services may be available and fees charged later/earlier than this date, weather permitting- for confirmation, please use the contact information listed above.) Off-season: no fee, no services.
Campground Reservable Dates:	Not applicable
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:	approximately 75 sites
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.

Location and Maps

Location Map

36 km southeast of Kamloops, accessed via gravel road from Hwy 5A at the north end of Trapp Lake. Communities close to the park are Kamloops, Quilchena and Merritt.

Maps and Brochures

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Park Map (pdf)

Nature and Culture

History - Established April 30, 1996 as a result of recommendations made in the Kamloops Land and Resource Management Plan.
Conservation - The park protects a series of world-class recreational trout fishing lakes in a plateau setting, and encompasses small stands of old-growth interior Douglas-fir forest, highly productive habitat for moose, waterfowl and perching birds.
Wildlife - Black Bear, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer and birds such as the Canada goose, mallard, common snipe, vesper sparrow and mountain bluebird all make their home in the park.

Management Planning

Management Planning Information

Approved Roche Lake Management Direction Statement

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Canoeing and kayaking are popular.

Cycling

There are many informal trails for cycling. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Fishing

Lakes are stocked with rainbow trout. This is a world-class rainbow trout fishing area. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Ice fishing is sometimes available. Ensure that ice is safe before attempting this activity because aeration is used in some of the lakes to prevent winter kill.

The following link to the Fresh Water Fishing Society website provides more information on fishing at Roche Lake: http://www.gofishbc.com/featurelake.htm

Hiking

There are many informal trails for hiking. 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.

Horseback Riding

There are many informal trails for horseback riding.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted only during lawful game hunting season. Check with Hunting and Trapping Synopsis for regulations.

Pets on Leash

You are responsible for behaviour of pets and domestic animals and you 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.

Swimming

There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Winter Recreation

There are many informal unset trails for cross-country skiing and for snowshoeing. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails.

There are many informal trails for snowmobile/ski-dooing. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails.

Ice skating is available in this park. Ensure that ice is safe before attempting this activity because aeration is used in some of the lakes to prvent winter kill.

Facilities Available at this Park

Boat Launch

There are undeveloped boat launches in each campground. They are only suitable for launching small boats.

Campfires

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.

Campfires must not exceed half a metre in height. Keep fires small, save trees and conserve firewood. Do not leave your campfire unattended. This is a high-risk forest fire area.

Group Camping

Roche Lake North is quite open and is suitable for group camping.

Pit or Flush Toilets

This park has pit toilets available at each campground.

Vehicle Accessible Camping

This park offers vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis - campsite reservations are not accepted. There are three rustic campgrounds; Roche Lake North (8 sites), Roche Lake West (21 sites) and Horseshoe Lake (4 sites). Roche Lake North is quite open and is suitable for group camping. A pay telephone is available at Roche Lake Resort, which is located on the same gravel road that is used to access the park, just follow the signs.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $11.00 per party / night

BC Senior's Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $5.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, beside the small lakes in the eastern part of the park.