Dunn Peak Park | BC Parks

Protected area overview

Dunn Peak Park is a large wilderness area noted for important wildlife habitat, outstanding backcountry recreation opportunities, and spectacular mountain scenery.

This park has large areas with no roads and considerable spaces of undisturbed old-growth forest. There are many lakes, tarns and swamps. Dunn Peak also includes a good representation of glacial erosion features not found elsewhere in the Thompson Region.

Advisories

Safety info

Mountain weather is unpredictable. Hikers must be prepared for all eventualities, including snow 12 months of the year.
Bring your own drinking water, as potable water is not available in the park.

Special notes

No camping or day-use facilities are provided.
Aircraft access is not permitted in the park.
Dunn Peak, called a matterhorn, at 2,634 metres elevation is the highest mountain between the Stein and the Monashees and is a dominant feature visible from as far away as Kamloops.
This is a wilderness area with limited park ranger patrols. Visitors must be self-sufficient, and notify a responsible adult of anticipated date of return.

Activities

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Hiking

A user-created trail is located above Harper Creek, on the east side of Dunn Peak. For the duration of the hiking season this trail can be wet and muddy. Recent trail work and the addition of boardwalk have improved hiking conditions. However in an attempt not to get wet, visitors continue to create secondary trails, expanding the problem while destroying plant life and soil structure. For your own safety and preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails.

Fishing

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Wildlife viewing

There is no viewing platform but the area has excellent wildlife viewing. Alpine areas of the protected area offer spectacular panoramic views.

Pets on leash

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.

Climbing

There are mountaineering opportunities in this park.

Winter recreation

Dunn Peak has excellent backcountry and alpine ski touring opportunities. When touring this backcountry area in the winter, be aware of snow conditions and the avalanche hazards. There are also snowshoeing opportunities in this protected area.

12 km northeast of Little Fort and approximately 90 km north of Kamloops. Access is by ferry and road from Little Fort on Hwy #5, or by logging road in the Harper Valley from Barriere and North Barriere Lake. The closest communities, towns and cities are Kamloops, Little Fort, Barriere, 100 Mile House and Clearwater.

Learn more about this protected area

Protected area details

Date established: April 30, 1996
Size: 19,547 hectares

Nature and culture

History

Dunn Peak Park is 19,547 hectares, stretching from the North Thompson River in the west, to include the alpine areas of Dunn Peak, and reaching east to the bottom of Harper Creek in the Shuswap Highlands. The park was created April 30, 1996 as a result of recommendations made in the Kamloops Land and Resource Management Plan. The park is a wilderness area that is not regularly serviced or patrolled. The park will be managed according to the Interim Management Direction Statement for Dunn Peak Park.

Conservation

Dunn Peak Park protects a vast area encompassing part of the Thompson River floodplain and recreationally significant alpine areas, as well as many lakes, tarns and swamps. Old-growth Douglas fir, Englemann spruce and Montane spruce are well represented in the park. There are no roads in the park. Important habitat for a large variety of significant wildlife populations including wolf, cougar, marten, river otter, black bear, mule deer and mountain goat are protected.

The park includes a major fish migration route and spawning grounds in the North Thompson and North Barriere Rivers. Significant great blue heron and bald eagle habitat are protected in the park. The park also contains good representation of glacial erosion features. Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the park’s natural heritage, please don’t damage or remove them.

Wildlife

Provides important habitat for cougar, wolf, black bear, mule deer, and mountain goat. The North Thompson River is noted for fish migration and spawning of trout and salmonids. Wildlife is potentially dangerous and may be encountered at any time. Make lots of noise when hiking where signs of bears are found. Park users should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment. Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife.

General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

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.