Kilby Provincial Park

Tucked away in a rural pastoral setting, Kilby Provincial Park is characterized by its scenic riverfront location and wonderful pioneer history. The park offers a destination rivering experience. Activities include beaching, fishing, and boating on Harrison River and Harrison Lake.

Park users can also enjoy camping, picnicking, and visiting the nearby General Store Museum, where they can view and experience early twentieth century rural traditions and lifestyle common to British Columbia.

Established Date: October 20, 1950
Park Size: 3 hectares

Campground Dates 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.)	The campground is open year-round with off-season rates in effect during winter months and senior rates during shoulder seasons. Winter Fee: November 1 to February 28, 2021 Please refer to Kilby.ca for fee information.
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:	Full Fee: June 18 to September 30, 2020 Please refer to Kilby.ca for fee information.
Campground Reservable Dates:	April 1 to October 1, 2019
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:	35
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served)	31
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.

Park Safety

• The Harrison River is susceptible to extreme water levels and velocities during spring/summer run-off season.
• Watch for log pilings in the river, opposite the campground.
• There are no developed trails at this park.

Special Notes

• Park Management

  This park is cooperatively managed by the Fraser Heritage Society, a charitable, non-profit society on behalf of the province of BC. Services (such as the Social Services Camping Fee Exemption) and facilities may differ from those offered in other BC provincial parks.

This park has both reservable sites and first-come, first-served sites.

For details of camping information, fees, rules, reservation policies and reservable sites with dimensions, please see Welcome to Kilby Campground [PDF].

Please note: Any maps listed are for information only; they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

• Location Map

The park is located at Harrison Mills, 15 km west of Agassiz. From Highway 7, follow the Provincial Park and binocular logo directional signs south onto School Road at the eastern end of the highway bridge. Continue straight to the T-junction and turn right onto Kilby Road, past the historic Kilby General Store and Farm, and continue to the park. The closest communities, towns and cities are Harrison Mills, Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs.

• History: The first settlers to pre-empt land in this area were farmers, one of whom started milling lumber in 1870. From 1870 to 1910, a succession of sawmills came into operation and with them, the community grew. Thomas Kilby came to Harrison Mills in 1902 and by 1904, had built a three-story building consisting of a general store and hotel. His son, Acton and wife, Jessie ran this operation until their retirement in 1976. The Provincial Government acquired this area. Today, the general store is a museum and is operated by the Ministry responsible for Tourism. The beach area has been developed into a riverside park with 22 campsites, a small day-use area, and a boat launch under the jurisdiction of BC Parks.
• Cultural Heritage: The Harrison and Fraser Rivers served as major transportation routes for the local First Nations population. In the mid to late 1800s, the Fraser River and Cariboo gold rushes created considerable activity along the Harrison River, near the site of this historic park.
• Conservation: The park lies within the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone and is representative of the Fraser floodplain landscape. Upland vegetation includes cottonwood, poplar, alder, and willow while the understory consists largely of red currant and salmonberry.
• Wildlife: Kilby Provincial Park is a designated British Columbia Wildlife Watch area. It is an excellent location to view large concentrations of wintering Bald Eagles as well as graceful trumpeter swans that migrate to the area from Alaska. Other common bird species to the park area include ravens, geese, eagles, swans, finches, chickadees and jays. Coho and Spring salmon can be found in Harrison River which borders the park.

• Management Planning Information
• Approved Master Plan for Kilby Provincial Park [PDF]

  Disclaimer:
  This is not the original management planning product. This document has been scanned from the original format of the plan. It may contain some formatting changes, however the content is consistent with the original.

Cycling

Fishing

Pets on Leash

Swimming

Waterskiing

Wildlife Viewing

Boat Launch

Campfires

Drinking Water

Picnic Areas

Pit or Flush Toilets

Vehicle Accessible Camping