Porcupine Meadows Park

Park overview

Areas of undisturbed wetlands and patches of old-growth forests make this park particularly significant in the region. The landscape consists of extensive wetland meadows complexes in Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir dry, cold subzone.

There are no roads, no camping or day-use facilities, and only a few trails, within the park.

Advisories

Safety info

This is a wilderness area with limited park ranger patrols. Visitors must be self-sufficient, and notify a responsible adult of anticipated date of return.
If required, there is an old forestry lookout that serves as a shelter for emergency use. There are no other cabins, yurts or lodges for public use. The Kamloops Snowmobile Association has a trailer and a chalet located outside the park boundaries and is only for their private use.
Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.

Special notes

Motorized vehicles are prohibited in this area except snowmobiles in winter.
Camp stoves are recommended for cooking. No firewood is available and no fire rings are installed. If a campfire is required, please keep it small and ensure it is completely out before you leave. Only wood that is dead and lying on the ground can be used for campfires. Check for campfire bans before entering the backcountry. In some parks, campfires are not permitted at any time.

Activities

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Hiking

Limited, primitive trails without signs. Maps, compass and knowledge of the area are essential. 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 wildlife viewing opportunities in this park. Moose and sandhill cranes are found 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.

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is allowed on designated trails.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted only during lawful game hunting season. Check with Hunting and Trapping Synopsis for regulations.

Winter recreation

Snowshoeing is permitted in this park, however, there are no maintained trails. For snowmobilers, the Kamloops Snowmobile Association maintains trails into the area and an old forestry lookout tower serves as a shelter for emergency use.

Snowmobiling is allowed between December 15 and April 15. In some years the opening date may be later to allow for a deeper snowpack. Please obey any closure signage.

At the southern end of Bonaparte Plateau, approximately 40 km northwest of Kamloops. The park is best accessed from the southeast via Watching Creek Forest Service Road.

Learn more about this park

Park details

Date established: April 30, 1996
Size: 2,703 hectares

Nature and culture

History

Established April 30, 1996 as a result of recommendations made in the Kamloops Land and Resource Management Plan.

Cultural Heritage

An old Ministry of Forest lookout tower is located on the ridge. Historic pack-trail from Pass Lake to Porcupine Ridge was used by early surveyors. There is an 1828 Dominion Lands & Surveys marker on a rock beside the fire tower. Remnants of old Fruitlands Irrigation District trails are found around Carlo Lake.

Conservation

Porcupine Meadows Park protects extensive subalpine wetlands and old-growth forests. These ecosystem features contribute special landscape representation significance within a system of six parks including Porcupine Meadows in the south and extending north through Tsintsunko, Bonaparte, High Lakes Basin, Emar Lakes and Taweel parks which, in combination, capture the biological diversity of the Northern Thompson Uplands Ecosection. The park is largely undisturbed and there is no cattle grazing.

Wildlife

This park contains wetlands important to many wildlife species, including sandhill cranes. These wetlands are also attractive summer habitat for moose and mule deer.

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.