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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
- There
are no park alerts at this time.
Park
Info:
A convenient overnight camping and picnicking spot for travelers
on Highway #1, this is also a popular destination camp for
visitors enjoying boating and fishing on Kamloops Lake, at
the head of the Thompson River. The park offers 240 meters
of beach on the lake and 1,000 meters of frontage along the
river. The Savona community offers the amenities of a small
town.
Park
Size: 38
hectares
Special
Notes:
- A public
pay telephone is located at the residence/shower building.
Management
Planning:
Management
Planning Information
Location:
Located
40 km west of Kamloops on Highway #1 on the southwest
end
of Kamloops Lake. The
closest community is Savona.
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
Nature & Culture:
History -
The park was established in 1995. It is the site of one
of the oldest homesteads in the southern interior and
well as a stagecoach depot and ferry landing. The historic
buildings and cemetery are still located on site. As
a former private campground, the park has electrical
and water hook-ups that are not common in provincial
parks.
Cultural
Heritage - First Nations have been very involved
in protection and interpretation of heritage sites
and artifacts found within the park. The site relates
to First Nations fishing dating back to 10,000 years
ago.
Conservation - Vegetation
is fragile due to the hot, dry climate. Sagebrush, prickly
pear cactus and bunchgrasses prevail. Pink salmon spawn
at the river mouth. The largest section of the park is
on the south side of Highway # 1 and is established as
a natural environment zone.
Visitor
Safety:
- The
extremely hot, dry climate can result in over-exposure to
the sun. Everyone in your party should wear sunscreen of
at least SPF 15 and a hat with a brim.
- Caution
should be exercised when swimming or boating due to currents
at the end of the beach where the lake drains into the river
mouth.
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:
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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Steelhead
offers 42 campsites on a first-come, first-served
basis - no reservations are accepted. There are
22 campsites that overlook the lake and 10 of these
are supplied with water and power hook-ups. There
are three sites that overlook the river, 12 informal
sites are located in a field and are roomy enough
for large vehicles to pull through and five side-by-side
sites exist as a parking-lot style overflow. There
are very few trees in the campground and most sites
are side by side, similar to an RV campground. Sites
will accommodate small to large camping units. If
there are no staff at the campground upon arrival,
choose a site and pay later. Staff will be at the
campground at least once a day.The gates at Steelhead
are not locked at night. Amenities are found in
Savona, a two-minute drive from the campground.
Vehicle
Accessible Camping Fee: $19.00 per party / night
BC
Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$9.50 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.)
|
April 28 - October 8
(Gate is closed during
the off-season)
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| Campground
Dates with Full Services and Fees: |
April
28 - October 8
(Services may be available and fees charged later/earlier
than this date, weather permitting. For confirmation, please use the contact information listed above.) |
| Campground
Reservable Dates: |
Not
applicable |
| Total
Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: |
44 |
| 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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Day-use
facilities are located near the river and offer very
little shade.
There are 10 picnic tables.
A large gravel parking lot is adjacent to the day-use
area.
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The
pit toilets are wheelchair
accessible.
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Potable
drinking water is available from water posts located
in the campgrounds.
Water hook-ups are available at the 10 electrical hook-up
sites.
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There
is 1 pit toilet and a toilet building. |
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There
is a shower building.
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No
sani-station/dump facilities.
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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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This
park offers 10 campsites with electrical hookups. |
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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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Swimming
is available at this beautiful sandy beach but visitors
should use caution and be aware of the currents
as the water from the lake drains into the river.
There are no lifeguards on duty in Provincial Parks
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There
are both canoeing and kayaking opportunities on Kamloops
Lake. Use caution as the lake is narrow
and windstorms can create very rough water.
A popular activity is canoeing from Steelhead Park
to Cache Creek.
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There is a boat launch for car top boats.
A public boat launch is located in the town of Savona,
a 2 minute drive from the park.
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Fishing
for trout, salmon and of course steelhead is popular.
A valid BC angling license is required and must be
carried with you when fishing.
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Cycling
is permitted and must keep to the roadways. 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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Steelhead offers fantastic opportunities to view
the salmon run in August and September each year.
From high on the bank, you can watch three species
of pacific salmon lining upstream.
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No
winter recreation opportunities. |
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No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
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There are
windsurfing opportunities on Kamloops Lake.
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There are waterskiing opportunities at this park.
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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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