Park overview
Bull Canyon is a small campground along Highway 20, ideal for visitors travelling in the Chilcotin. The park is located in a beautiful canyon, with the glacier blue Chilcotin River flowing past the campground. There is a short walking trail beside the river, and the surrounding area supports excellent fishing lakes, birdwatching and wildlife viewing opportunities.
People can view shallow caves in Bull Canyon Mountain on the Chilcotin River Interpretive Trail. Bull Canyon Park is often used as a base from which to explore.
Advisories
Dates of operation
The park gate is open May 15, 2024 to September 15, 2024
- Facility type
- Frontcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 20
- Double sites: 2
- Walk-in sites: 4
- RV-accessible sites: 1
- Main operating season
- 2024: May 15 to September 15
- Winter season
- Not known
- Winter season note
- The gate is closed during the off-season.
Safety info
- The Chilcotin River is a very cold and fast moving river. Please keep children and pets away from the river. Swimming is not recommended.
Special notes
- The gates at Bull Canyon are locked during the off-season, from September 16 to May 14. Bull Canyon is the only provincial campsite along Highway 20 between Williams Lake and Tweedsmuir Park. There are several Forest Service campgrounds and two private campgrounds on or near this section of Highway 20.
- ORVs are prohibited in this park. ORVs include ATVs, off-road motorcycles, snowmobiles and side by sides.
Camping
This park offers vehicle-accessible campsites on a first come, first served basis. Campsite reservations are not accepted. There are 20 small to medium sites in total, two of which are double sites and one is a pull-through site. There are also four tent sites. Sites are open, but still private, through to shady.
The closest store is 6km away in Alexis Creek. If staff are not available when you arrive at the campground, choose your site and pay later. Staff will be at the campground at least once per day during the camping season.
| Vehicle-accessible camping fee | $20 per party per night |
| BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only) | $10 per senior party per night |
For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page.
There are four walk-in tent sites a short walk from the parking lot.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
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.
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.
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
This park has a day-use and picnic area.
Activities
There is a Chilcotin River Interpretive Trail at the park, which is 2km (return) in length and was designed and developed by the students of Alexis Creek Elementary School. 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.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Pets and 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.
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Bull Canyon Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
Six kilometres west of the community of Alexis Creek, off Highway 20. The nearest communitie are Alexis Creek, Redstone, Hanceville and Williams Lake.
Park and activity maps
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: April 7, 1993
- Size: 343 hectares
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
Silvertip Park Services Ltd.
parkinquiries@telus.net
250 320-9305
Nature and culture
History
Bull Canyon was established as a UREP (Use Recreation for the Enjoyment of the Public) reserve in 1955 for the use, recreation and enjoyment of the public. The Forest Service operated a fire suppression camp in the summer months, just east of the present campground, from 1955 until the 1980s. The campground was developed in the 1970s and reconstructed in 1992. Bull Canyon was designated as a provincial park in 1993.
Cultural Heritage
Archaeological sites exist throughout the park and are protected under the Heritage Conservation Act . Please do not disturb these sites.
Conservation
The Chilcotin River, at Bull Canyon Park, is designated Class II Classified Waters. Special fishing restrictions apply to sections of this river. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.