Kettle River Recreation Area

There is one large group campsite at this park. The group camping area is accessed from the road to the day use just past the turn-off to the regular campground. The gravel road is gated and leads to a fenced gravel parking loop. There is room for roughly ten vehicles along the loop, more in the open center of the loop. Surrounding the fenced parking is a band of lawn then open Ponderosa pine/bunchgrass forest. There are 13 tables on the lawn area that has potential for tenting with plenty of shade provided by the Ponderosa pines.

There are two flush toilets, one wheelchair-accessible pit toilet just off the parking as well as two taps and two fire rings. There is also a half-wall log frame shelter with cement floor. Inside are a stove, sink, counter and six tables. The area is on a terrace above the river and there are benches along the edge overlooking the river. The group campsites are open from May 5 to October 1. Reservations are accepted. 
 

Electrical hookups are available in both group campsites. An extra fee of $8.00 per 30 amp service per night will be collected on site – cash only please.

All sites are vehicle-accessible. Sites 1–85 are reservable and sites 86–114 are for first-come, first-served camping. There are 12 double sites located throughout the park. The sites are arranged in three main loops. The sites are located in the beautiful, open Ponderosa pine/bunchgrass forest with the red-orange bark of the trees contrasting sharply with the bland grass. This forest type gives the campground an open, spacious feeling. The exception is the loop of sites 21–53, which offer a significantly different camping feel. These are smaller sites that are very private and found in thick Douglas fir with many shrubs separating the sites. The newest loop of sites 88–114 are some of the most open sites in the park.

Check-in procedures:

• Guests with reservations: Check reservation board at campground host site to confirm pre-assigned site number.
• Guests without reservations: Select any vacant first-come, first-served site (sites 86–114) or if you are looking for a one night stay, select any vacant site marked with a one night only tag. If you are unsure of a site’s availability, please ask a Park Operator or the Park Host for assistance.

Accessibility information is available for this park.

There are hot showers in the shower building. There is no extra charge for showers and they are for registered guests, only.

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. 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.

One of Canada’s most historic and scenic railway routes runs through this park. The Kettle Valley Railway opened in 1916 and discontinued service in 1973 and the track was removed between the towns of Midway and Penticton in 1980. This track now part of the Trans Canada Trail, a shared-use recreation trail that will wind its way through every Province and Territory forming the longest trail of its kind in the world, spanning approximately 17,898 kilometres. It will accommodate five core activities: walking, cycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling (where possible/desired). If you decide to walk parts of the historic Kettle Valley Railway, the bridge across the river is still intact, however, caution is advised at all times on and around the bridge. 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.

There is a bait ban on the Kettle River above Cascade Falls from April 1 to October 31. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Bicycles must keep to roadways and designated trails. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.  The KVR Trail offers great cycling opportunities.  A bike park was recently added to the campground area and it has been extremely popular with kids of all ages.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Kettle River Recreation Area. 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.