Tunkwa Provincial Park
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A campfire ban is currently in effect for this park. For more information about campfire bans and about provincial parks with park closures and campfire bans in effect, visit the BC Parks campfire ban webpage.
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Park Info
Tunkwa Provincial Park contains two large, man-made trout-fishing lakes, Tunkwa and Leighton, with campgrounds located on both lakes. Tunkwa is listed in the top 10 provincial rainbow trout fisheries. This park protects mid elevation grasslands, forests, lakes, and wetlands including bogs and ponds. This is a year-round recreation area, noted for camping, hunting, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Park Size: 5,100 hectares
Special Notes:
- Tunkwa Lake has informal clusters of campsites. Facilities range from the typical individual campsites to clusters of four, allowing camping parties to camp together.
- Vehicle and ATV access is limited to designated trails as fish bearing streams wetlands and grasslands need special protection and should not be crossed. There is a staging area bordering the North Leighton campground that is set aside for ATV use. ATVs are prohibited within the campground boundaries.
- Two special management areas are foot access only.
| Campground Hours of Operation
All dates are subject to change without notice |
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| Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.) |
Year round (Gate is open during the off-season) |
| Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: | May 1 - October 12 (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: | 275 |
| 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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Location
The park is located midway between Savona and Logan Lake on the southern Thompson Plateau, about 40 km southwest of Kamloops. It is accessed via 24 km of paved road from Savona or 16 km from Logan Lake on the Tunkwa Lake Road.
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Nature & Culture
- History - Established April 30, 1996.
- Cultural Heritage - The area has experienced traditional First Nation use. It also has a long history of ranching.
- Conservation - The park is a mosaic of grasslands and interior Douglas-fir forests. The park encompasses two large artificially created lakes - Tunkwa and Leighton - and numerous smaller lakes, wetlands and bog complexes. Many water-courses provide excellent opportunities to view spawning trout in May.
- Wildlife - 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 here.
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Map / Brochure
Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
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Contact Info
Brandywine Environmental Management Ltd.E-mail address: brwill@telus.net
Phone: 1-250-828-9533
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Activities Available At This Park
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Canoeing | |
Canoeing and kayaking opportunities exist on both lakes.
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Fishing | |
Both lakes are popular for trout fishing. Lakes are stocked annually with rainbow trout.
Fishing is from boats, float tubes, canoes and from shore. There are no fish cleaning stations. Fish must be cleaned out in the lake. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an
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Hiking | |
There are no designated trails in this park. Visitors can hike the grasslands but should exercise caution if hiking on the ATV trails.
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Pets on Leash | |
Pets 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.
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Swimming | |
There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
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Facilities Available At This Park
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Boat Launch | |
There are two gravel boat launches, one at Tunkwa and one at Leighton.
Tunkwa has a maximum 10 HP restriction, and boaters on both lakes should use slow speeds to avoid damaging habitat or quiet fishing enjoyment.
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Campfires | |
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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Drinking Water | |
Hand pumps provide potable water. Two pumps are located at the Tunkwa campground and one pump each at both Leighton and Leighton North.
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Group Camping | |
Larger groups of campers are accommodated in the cluster sites, fees are charged on the usual per-party basis.
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Picnic Areas | |
Dayuse facilities are available at the south end of Tunkwa Lake.
A pit toilet and 10 picnic tables are provided.
This is a natural grass area right next to the lake that is a very open with no shade.
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Pit or Flush Toilets | |
Pit toilets are located at each campground
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Vehicle Accessible Camping | |
At Tunkwa Park there are three separate campgrounds, Tunkwa, Leighton and Leighton North. Combined, the three campgrounds offer 55 traditional style sites and 220 informal sites.
The traditional sites are typical of those found in BC Parks. They can accommodate camping units from a tent to a large recreational vehicle. The sites are in both treed and open grassy areas. The informal sites allow for groups of camping units to camp together. Some of these group sites are in treed areas, however some are out in the open with no trees or shade. All three campgrounds offer both styles of camping. 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 during the camping season. The entrance gates are not locked at night. The nearest pay phone or amenities are in Logan Lake.
The traditional sites are typical of those found in BC Parks. They can accommodate camping units from a tent to a large recreational vehicle. The sites are in both treed and open grassy areas. The informal sites allow for groups of camping units to camp together. Some of these group sites are in treed areas, however some are out in the open with no trees or shade. All three campgrounds offer both styles of camping. 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 during the camping season. The entrance gates are not locked at night. The nearest pay phone or amenities are in Logan Lake.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$7.50 per senior's couple/night
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