Nestled among an open stand of spruce, fir and regenerating young forest, Lac Le Jeune Park appeals to campers and anglers seeking an easily-accessible getaway spot. The park offers a diverse assortment of recreational activities including swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, biking, and nature appreciation. The campground serves as a base for recreational use at both Stake and Walloper Lakes. The park sees high use during the summer season. During the winter the area is used for cross-country skiing with no vehicle access.
Special Feature: The park land addition in 1996 protects large marsh areas.
Established Date: March 16, 1956
Park Size: 180 hectares
Special Notes:
All campsite reservations must be made the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first-come, first-served.
Campsite Reservations:
Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.
There are vehicle accessible campsites with 21 double sites. Most sites will accommodate medium to large size recreational units. The sites are treed and provide a fair amount of privacy. With a small or medium sized camping unit, there will be room for a second vehicle. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.
During the shoulder season, if there are no staff at the gatehouse upon arrival, choose a site and pay later. Staff will be at the campground at least once a day. During the high season staff will occupy the gatehouse during the opening hours of the park and fees can be paid there. If you have a reservation, check the reservation board beside the gatehouse to learn which site has been allocated to you.
Accessibility information is available for this park.
There are potable cold water taps located throughout the campground.
Firewood can be purchased from the Park Operator or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, it is prohibited to gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. If you rely on campfires for cooking, be prepared to bring a portable stove should a campfire ban be implemented.
Lac Le Jeune is famous for its rainbow trout fish, an average size of 1.5 kgs. There is a 250’ long fishing wharf located in front of the day-use area. There are numerous area lakes providing ice fishing opportunities during the winter season. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Naturalist, interpretive and educational programs are being held during the summer season. Programs are designed for children but entertaining for adults as well. The programs are educational and include guest speakers, presentations with animals from the BC Wildlife Park and various types of entertainment. There is no charge for the presentations. The interpretive programs are held at the amphitheatre unless it rains and then held in the picnic shelter.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has a fun, hands on, Learn to Fish Program that teaches basic angling skills to youth under 16 years old. Check back to this page or ask the Park Operator for more information.
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia. Cycling opportunities are available on the Gus Johnson and Stake Lake trails with over 45 km of trails.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Lac Le Jeune Provincial 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.
Cross-country skiing is popular on the Gus Johnson trail on the east and south side of the lake, and the adjacent Stake Lake ski area provides 45 km of groomed trails. Snowshoeing opportunities and ice-skating are available in the Stake Lake area. There are numerous area lakes providing ice fishing opportunities during the winter season. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Take the Lac Le Jeune Exit off Hwy #5 (the Coquihalla) at 37 km south of Kamloops/47 km north of Merritt. There is also 26 km of paved access off the Hwy #1 at Kamloops. Due to its elevation, at 1,280 metres, the weather is cooler, a welcome relief from the desert conditions of the valleys to north and south.
This park proudly operated by:
Brandywine Environmental Management Ltd.
parkinquiries@telus.net
250-320-9305
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.