Six Mile Hill Protected Area is a small representation of dry interior grasslands with a combination Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forest. This area is separated into two sections by the Trans Canada Highway. The larger section sits between the highway and Kamloops Lake. The second section rises from the highway over the slopes and hill tops.
There are no developed trails at this park. Visitors hiking in the area should ensure their presence leaves little impact. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs. Shortcutting developed trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
There are rock climbing opportunities. The rock bluffs below the highway rest-stop are used by local climbers.
Six Mile Hill is located 34 km west of Kamloops on the southeast shore of Kamloops Lake. The Trans Canada Highway bisects the area into north and south sections. This area is accessed at a key highway rest stop facility east of Savona. Note that the highway rest stop is not to be considered as parking for recreational use of the protected area, as the volume of high-speed traffic going by makes access and egress difficult.
History
The protected area was established in 2001 through recommendations from the Kamloops LRMP. It will be managed in accordance with the Management Direction Statement specific to this area.
Cultural Heritage
This area is of spiritual significance to the Secwepemc Nation. The area protects a wintering mule deer habitat.
Conservation
The higher elevations of the area contain old growth Ponderosa Pine. Much of the grasslands are still in a very natural condition. There is an interesting array of land formations from steep rock cliffs to hoodoos that were formed through erosion of peri-glacial lake deposits.
Wildlife
This area protects important wintering mule deer habitat.
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.