Thompson. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Special notes
- 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.
- There are populations of yellow-bellied marmots residing in and around Tunkwa Park. They are a naturally-occurring species that reside in arid grasslands with abundant rock piles. The campgrounds in the park are located in mid-elevation grasslands which provide a favourable habitat for marmots in regards to climate and food sources. Natural talus slopes and large rock outcrops are rare in the park, but numerous man-made features mimic ideal marmot burrowing grounds. As a result, Tunkwa Park has a relatively high yellow-bellied marmot population. Visitors to the park are encouraged to protect their assets as marmots are curious and have been known to carry out activities that can be detrimental to vehicles, camping equipment, etc.
- Tunkwa Lake Vegetation Management Project [PDF]
Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.
Visit responsibly
Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:
Maps and location
Getting there
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.
Things to do
Visitors can hike the grasslands or do a long wander around Tunkwa Lake.
There are swimming opportunities in this park.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
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 in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has a fun, hands on, Learn to Fish Program that will teach basic angling skills to youth under 16 years old. Check back to this page or ask the park operator for information.
Hunting is permitted in this park.
Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
About this park
The area has experienced traditional First Nation use. It also has a long history of ranching.
Established April 30, 1996.
The park is a mosaic of grasslands and interior Douglas-fir forests. The park encompasses two large artificially created lakes named Tunkwa and Leighton, as well as numerous smaller lakes, wetlands and bog complexes. Many water-courses provide excellent opportunities to view spawning trout in May.
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.
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.
Contact
| Park operator | This park is operated by Shuswap Adams Parks Ltd. |
|---|---|
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
