Park overview
Juniper Beach was established as a provincial park in 1989. The park protects a representative desert landscape which contains sagebrush, prickly pear cactus and of course, juniper. Part of the landscape includes deep post-glacial deposits and large scale erosion features.
It is a convenient overnight camping spot for travellers on Highway 1 and provides access to the Thompson River. Both CNR and CPR railway tracks run by the park and provide an attraction to train-buffs. This park is also a popular base camp for visitors enjoying boating, fishing, photography and touring historic Hat Creek Ranch and Ashcroft Manor, both nearby.
Advisories
Dates of operation
Park status:
Open
The park gate is open April 28, 2023 to October 9, 2023
- Facility type
- Vehicle-accessible camping
- Number of campsites
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 9
- Main operating season
- 2023: April 28 to October 9
- Winter season
- No services
- Booking required
- 2023: April 28 to September 10
- Winter season note
- Park gate is closed January 1st or when inaccessible by ice and/or snow, open when roads are clear.
- Facility type
- Vehicle-accessible camping
- Number of campsites
- Reservable frontcountry sites: 11
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 11
- Main operating season
- 2023: April 28 to October 9
- Winter season
- No services
- Booking required
- 2023: April 28 to September 10
- Winter season note
- Park gate is closed January 1st or when inaccessible by ice and/or snow, open when roads are clear.
- Facility type
- Vehicle-accessible camping
- Number of campsites
- Reservable frontcountry sites: 12
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 12
- Main operating season
- 2023: April 28 to October 9
- Winter season
- No services
- Booking required
- 2023: April 28 to September 10
- Winter season note
- Park gate is closed January 1st or when inaccessible by ice and/or snow, open when roads are clear.
Safety info
- The extremely hot, dry climate can result in overexposure to the sun. Everyone in your party should wear sunscreen and a hat with a brim.
- In the areas surrounding the camping sites you will find prickly pear cactus. The spines of this low-set plant are sharp and strong. Wear sturdy footwear and be careful where you step if you are hiking or walking in the area. Be very careful with your pets.
- The waters of the Thompson River are very swift, especially in June and July during high water. Use caution in and around the waters edge.
- Wood ticks are most prevalent between March and June. These parasites reside in tall grass and low shrubbery and seek out warm-blooded hosts. Although they are potential carriers of disease, they are a natural part of the environment and can be easily avoided. Your legs should be protected by wearing trousers tucked into socks or gaiters. After outdoor activity, thoroughly examine yourself. Check your pets for ticks as well.
- Entering the park requires crossing a train track. This is a controlled train crossing, use caution and obey all signs.
- Roadways can be very busy. Whether you are walking, cycling, roller-blading, skateboarding or driving, please be careful. Always yield to the slowest mode of travel (e.g. cyclists yield to walkers). Obey all traffic regulations and rules of the road.
Special notes
- Quiet Hours are 10pm to 7am. Music and generators must be shut off completely between these hours.
- Hibachis and campstoves can burn the picnic tables. Please do not use them on the tables.
- Valuables should be stored out of sight and locked up at all times, especially when left unattended or at night. Please report any thefts to the park staff as soon as possible.
- The speed limit within the park is 20 km per hour or less.
- Motorcycles and bicycles are permitted on park roads only. Motorcycles must be properly licenced and must be operated by a licenced driver only. Helmets must be worn. Unlicenced ATVs or dirt bikes are not permitted.
- Parking is prohibited on the side of the road. Please park on the gravelled portion of your campsite or in designated parking spaces. Vehicles parked in day-use areas after 11pm may be ticketed or towed.
- Pets must be on leash (no longer than 2 metres) at all times while in the park. They are not allowed on beaches or in day use areas. Owners must clean up after their pets.
- Consumption of alcohol is prohibited except in your campsite.
Camping
- Total number of campsites
- Total reservable frontcountry sites: 22
- Total vehicle-accessible sites: 32
Campsite reservations are accepted at this park and first come, first served sites are also available.
All campsite reservations must be made the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first come, first served.
This park offers vehicle-accessible campsites. Reservations are accepted, and first come, first served campsites are also available.
| Vehicle-accessible camping fee | $23 per party per night |
| Electrified sites | Additional $5 per night |
| BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only) | $11.50 per senior party per night |
For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
In addition to the water hook-ups at each site, there are potable water posts available near the pit toilets and in the grassy tenting area.
There is a small boat launch area at the park that is suitable to launch smaller fishing boats.
The boat launch is a rustic gravel access directly into the Thompson River. Environmental conditions can and will alter access and use of this site annually. Please be aware that this access is directly into the Thompson river, and all boats should be equipped with sufficient motor size to navigate upstream on this watercourse.
A sani-station and dump is available during the collecting season.
Electrical hookups (30amp service) are available at the park. Please note that the cost of electrictity is $5 per night.
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. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented.
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.
No campfires are allowed in the day-use area. Ensure that barbecues or campstoves are used on the ground, not set on picnic tables.
Activities
There are a few undesignated trails used by visitors in the vicinity of the campground. Caution should be used when hiking in the area. Watch out for prickly pear cactus and during the months of March to June, watch for ticks.
During lower water levels on the river, there is a small “swimming hole” on the beach in front of the campground. It is an area that is naturally sectioned off from the main river and provides a more protected swimming opportunity. Use caution as the waters of the Thompson River are dangerously swift especially during high water. There are no lifeguards on duty.
Thompson River contains trout, steelhead and salmon. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
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 the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.
On the north shore of the Thompson River, 19 km east of Cache Creek on Highway 1. The closest communities are Cache Creek and Savona.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: June 15, 1989
- Size: 248 hectares
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
Shuswap Adams Parks Ltd.
parkinquiries@telus.net
250 320-9305
Nature and culture
History
Established 1989.
Conservation
Undisturbed low elevation grasslands with their associated sagebrush and cactus are rare in British Columbia, and Juniper Beach Park protects one of the few examples found in the BC Parks system.
Wildlife
Fish species in the Thompson River include trout, steelhead, and salmon. The dry sagebrush areas of the park are home to Western Rattlesnakes, and deer are sometimes seen travelling to and from the river. The campground area is an oasis in this dry environment, and as such it attracts many species of birds. Some of the most colorful that are often seen here during the summer months are the Western Tanager, Mountain Bluebird and the Northern Oriole.
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.