In This Park
Park Contact
This park proudly operated by:
Shuswap Adams Parks Ltd.
parkinquiries@telus.net
250 320-9305
During a campfire ban, smoking is restricted in all public areas of a park or protected area. Please read this Information Bulletin.
Adams Lake (Bush Creek Site) Provincial Park
Attention Visitors – Important Notice!
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Vehicle use prohibited on the foreshore of Adams Lake (Bush Creek).
Visitors to the campground this year will note a significant change within the site. All unauthorized vehicle access trails to the foreshore, and beach areas of the park have been blocked with concrete barricades. Vehicle and RV use on the beach front will not longer be permitted. This is to prevent environmental damage, assist with physical distancing protocols, and provide for unencumbered public use of the foreshore. Failure to respect this direction will lead to eviction from the park, and may lead to additional charges under the Park Act. Beach front is now available for all visitors to use during stay within the Park.
About This Park
A pleasant beach area with lightly forested upland, Adams Lake (Bush Creek Site) Provincial Park is popular for fishing and boating. As few facilities are available, visitors should be self-sufficient campers.
See also Adams Lake Marine Park – Spillman Beach, or Poplar Point or Refuge Bay.
Established Date: May 20, 2004
Park Size: 100 hectares
Know Before You Go
Park Safety
- Adams is a large lake, and subject to gusts of strong wind. Note that there are few pullouts available during the high water of May and June.
- Bring your own water, as potable water is not available in the park.
- Visitors must stay on the trails and within the viewing area. Rocks and river edges can be extremely slippery.
Special Notes
- The nearest telephone is located at Adams Lake Store, approximately 5 km from the park.
- Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in provincial parks, except within your campsite.
- Adams Lake West Forest Service Road frequently has heavy logging truck traffic. Use caution on this road and yield to logging trucks.
- Please help to prevent the spread of Eurasian Water Milfoil by removing all weeds from your boat and motor before launching and after removing from the lake.
- All Boaters: Please be advised that overnight parking for boat launch use is not permitted. Only vehicles registered for overnight camping will be permitted. All other vehicles will be towed at owners expense.
Location and Maps
Please note: Any maps listed are for information only; they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
The park is located on the southwestern shores of Adams Lake. 15 km of paved and gravel road from Hwy #1 at Squilax, east of Kamloops, 30 km north of Chase. Take the Holding/Adams Lake West Road off the Squilax-Anglemont Road. The closest communities, towns and cities to this park are: Scotch Creek, Sorrento, Salmon Arm, Kamloops and Chase.
Nature and Culture
- History: The area was established as a Recreation Area in 1988. It was designated as a park in 1997 as a result of the Kamloops Land and Resource Management Plan.
- Cultural Heritage: The park has a number of known archaeological sites.
- Conservation: The park protects beaches and shoreline on Adams Lake as well as mixed forests of aspen, birch, willow, Douglas-fir and cedar.
Management Planning
Activities Available at this Park
Canoeing
There are opportunities for canoeing and kayaking at this park.
Cycling
Cycling is permitted only on public and park roads. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Fishing
Fishing is popular at Adams Lake for kokanee and rainbow trout. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Access to the park is closed after snowfall accumulations are deep enough to make the road unsafe.
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.
Pets on Leash
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.
Scuba Diving
There are scuba diving opportunities in Adams Lake.
Swimming
At the campground there is a natural sand/pebble beach on Adams Lake. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. There is no roped off swimming area.
Waterskiing
Adams Lake has waterskiing opportunities. Adams Lake is a very large lake and it’s water conditions can change quickly. Be aware of the weather and water conditions before waterskiing. There are no motor size restrictions on Adams Lake.
Wildlife Viewing
There are great viewing opportunities of Adams Lake from the Adams Lake West Road.
Windsurfing
Adams Lake can get strong winds great for windsurfing.
Facilities Available at this Park
Boat Launch
There is an undeveloped gravel boat-launching area. There is a small parking area for vehicles/boat trailers at the bottom of the entrance road before the camping area.
Please check with the Park Operator before parking any vehicles/trailers in the parking area. Please note vehicles are prohibited from parking on any roadways within the park.
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.
Pit or Flush Toilets
This park only has pit toilets – no flush toilets.
Vehicle Accessible Camping
This
park offers vehicle accessible, very rustic campsites (fire rings only)
on a first-come, first-served basis. Campsite reservations are not accepted.
Campsites are suitable for campers and small trailers only. There are
no pull-through campsites. All sites are shaded. There is no gatehouse
at this park. There is limited parking for extra vehicles. The park may
be accessible earlier and later depending on weather and snow-load. The
gates are closed in the off-season and camping is not permitted. Self
registration – please choose a site and self-register at pay station.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $13.00 per party / night
BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $6.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.
