Johnstone Creek Park

Highlights in this park

Located east of Osoyoos, Johnstone Creek Park offers camping in a quiet, forested creek side setting. It provides a convenient escape from the hectic Okanagan Valley.

The park has 38 hectares of mature Douglas fir, larch and spruce trees that provide habitat for woodpeckers and other cavity nesting bird species. White-tailed deer are often seen in the park.

Know before you go

Advisories

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

Located 5km west of Rock Creek on Highway #3. The closest communities are Rock Creek, Bridesville and Osoyoos.

Camping

Frontcountry camping

This park offers a quiet, forested campground with 16 vehicle-accessible campsites that are all available on a first come, first served basis. The campground was recently rebuilt and offers large, shaded sites. Campsites are often available for last-minute campers in peak months. Fees are cash only and are self-registration.

Vehicle-accessible camping fee	$18 per party per night
BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only)	$9 per senior party per night

For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page.

Frontcountry campgrounds

Johnstone Creek Campground

Operating season

2024: May 15 to September 22

Winter season

Not known

Number of campsites

Vehicle-accessible sites: 16
Double sites: 1

Winter season note

The gate is closed during the off-season.

Things to do

Hiking

Take 15 minutes to hike a short loop along the creek and out to three different benches that offer views of the rugged terrain of ravines and gorges that surrounds this little park. There are steep cliffs beyond the benches, do not hike beyond the viewpoints. 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.

Wildlife viewing

There are no viewing platforms but there are three benches that offer fantastic views of the surrounding area. Douglas fir, larch and spruce trees provide habitat for woodpeckers and other cavity nesting bird species. White-tailed deer are often seen in the park.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Cycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Johnstone Creek Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.

Facilities

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this 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.

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.

Drinking water

A hand pump is available in the park. Interior Health has issued a permanent “boil water advisory” on this source.

Pit or flush toilets

This park only has pit toilets, no flush toilets.

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.

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