Jackman Flats Park

Welcome to the new BC Parks website

Park overview

Jackman Flats Provincial Park is a product of ice and wind. At the end of the last ice age, some 11,000 years ago, winds from the main trench of the Fraser River and from, what is now, Kinbasket Lake, deposited vast quantities of sand in the Jackman Flats area. This created an ecosystem considered unique in British Columbia. Rare plant communities and shifting sand dune structures now exist in this rather small park.

Excellent recreational opportunities have been enjoyed by Robson Valley residents for many years in this special area. Unregulated motorized use, primarily from all-terrain vehicles, has had a devastating effect on not only the rare plant communities but on the structural integrity of the sand dunes. The uniqueness of Jackman Flats can be quickly appreciated when one considers that one plant community, Juniperus-Stereocaulon, is found nowhere else in British Columbia.

An extremely dry area, where drought conditions generally exist through the summer season, Jackman Flats is vulnerable to excessive recreation use. Hiking, and cross-country skiing are permitted on existing trails only. Excellent opportunities exist for bird watching and plant identification. The parks most prominent residents are the variety of lichen species that dominate the landscape. The fragile nature, distribution and abundance of these lichens can be preserved by staying on designated trails. Remember, to collect or damage any natural object in a provincial park is illegal. Tread lightly and enjoy one of BC Parks most unique landscapes.

Established Date: June 29, 2000

Park Size: 615 hectares

Advisories

Facilities

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Picnic areas

This park has a day-use/picnic area. An information kiosk, pit toilet, picnic tables and garbage cans are located in the parking lot on Highway 5. The trails, due to their sandy composition, are not recommended for wheelchair access. An old road, located at the south end of the parking lot, is suitable for wheelchair use and offers good views of the area.

Pit or flush toilets

This park has one pit toilet located in the parking lot on Highway 5.

Activities

Hiking

For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Look but don’t damage natural objects. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure. The fragile ecosystem will be seriously damaged if people or domestic animals go off the trail.

Wildlife viewing

There is no viewing platform at this park but visitors have the opportunity to take short walks geared to viewing the unique plant species, or take longer hikes through a variety of sand dune terrains. The park is home to mammals such as moose, deer, coyotes, and martens. Close to 40 species of birds have been positively identified in the park.

Horseback riding

Horses and /or horseback riding is permitted on designated trails only.

Hunting

Hunting is allowed in the park. Please consult the current BC Hunting and Trapping Regulation Synopsis for detailed hunting information.

Winter recreation

There are cross-country ski opportunities in the park; use the Hiking trail map as shown on the park brochure. Trails are track set by YORA, the Valemount Cross-Country Ski Club.

Maps and location

View a more detailed map.

Jackman Flats Provincial park is located 10 km north of Valemount, on Highway 5, and only a short driving distance from Mount Robson Provincial Park.

Park and activity maps

Jackman Flats Provincial Park Brochure [PDF]

Learn more about this park

Park details

Date established: June 29, 2000
Size: 615 hectares

Park contact

This park proudly operated by:
Quartz Contracting
Email: mountrobson@shaw.ca

Nature and culture

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.