Park overview
Jackman Flats 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 such as bird watching and plant identification, have been enjoyed by Robson Valley residents for many years in this special area. The parks most prominent residents are the variety of lichen species that dominate the landscape. 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.
Advisories
Safety info
- This is an extremely dry area, where drought conditions generally exist through the summer season.
Special notes
- Jackman Flats is vulnerable to excessive recreation use. 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.
- Hiking, and cross-country skiing are permitted on existing trails only. 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.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
This park has a day-use and 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.
Activities
Horses and horseback riding is permitted on designated trails only.
Hunting is allowed in the park. Please consult the current BC Hunting and Trapping Regulation Synopsis for detailed hunting information.
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.
Jackman Flats Provincial park is located 10 km north of Valemount, on Highway 5, and only a short driving distance from Mount Robson Park.
Park and activity maps
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.