Steelhead Park | BC Parks

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Kamloops Lake - Rocky beach with a tree, log and sticks on the shore. Shrubs in the foreground and forested mountains in the background.

A gravel walkway leading to a grassy area and shower building. Icebox, picnic table and potted flowers are in front of building. Forested mountains and trees are in the background.

Western kingbird, a species of Tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannus verticalis).

Kamloops Lake - Campground with truck, trailers, tent trailers and power hook up. Picnic tables on the right and trees, lake and mountains in the background.

Two historic buildings with grass in the foreground and a tree on the left. Forested mountains are in the background.

Park overview

A convenient overnight camping and picnicking spot for travelers on Highway #1, this is also a popular destination camp for visitors enjoying boating and fishing on Kamloops Lake, at the head of the Thompson River.

The park offers 240 metres of beach on the lake and 1,000 metres of frontage along the river. The Savona community offers the amenities of a small town.

Established Date: July 15, 1993
Park Size: 38 hectares

Advisories

Dates of operation

All dates are subject to change without notice.

Open to public access year-round

Current status:Open to public access

Be sure to check advisories above before visiting

Steelhead Campground

Facility type

Vehicle-accessible camping

Number of campsites

Vehicle-accessible sites: 44

Main camping season dates

2023: Dates are not yet available

Service note

Services may be available and fees charged later/earlier than this date, weather permitting. For confirmation, please use the contact information listed to the left.

Winter note

Gate is closed during the off-season. Walk-in from the gate; no fee, no services.

Safety info

Stay Safe

The extremely hot, dry climate can result in over-exposure to the sun. Everyone in your party should wear sunscreen of at least SPF 15 and a hat with a brim.
Caution should be exercised when swimming or boating due to currents at the end of the beach where the lake drains into the river mouth.

Special Notes

A public pay telephone is located at the residence/shower building.

Camping

Vehicle-accessible camping

Steelhead offers 44 campsites on a first-come, first-served basis – no reservations are accepted. There are 22 campsites that overlook the lake and 10 of these are supplied with water and power hook-ups. There are three sites that overlook the river, 12 informal sites are located in a field and are roomy enough for large vehicles to pull through and five side-by-side sites exist as a parking-lot style overflow. There are very few trees in the campground and most sites are side by side, similar to an RV campground. Sites will accommodate small to large camping units. If there are no staff at the campground upon arrival, choose a site and pay later. Staff will be at the campground at least once a day. The gates at Steelhead are not locked at night. Amenities are found in Savona, a two-minute drive from the campground.

Campsites with electrical hookups

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $23.00/party/night plus, if applicable, $5.00 electrical/night = $28.00/party/night

BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $11.50/senior party/night camping fee plus, if applicable $5.00 electrical/night = $16.50/party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

Campsites without electricity

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $23.00 per party / night

BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $11.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

Facilities

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Picnic areas

Day-use facilities are located near the river and offer very little shade. There are 10 picnic tables. A large gravel parking lot is adjacent to the day-use area.

Pit or flush toilets

There is one pit toilet and a toilet building.

Showers

There is a shower building.

Drinking water

Potable drinking water is available from water posts located in the campgrounds. Water hook-ups are available at the 10 electrical hook-up sites.

Boat launch

There is a boat launch for car top boats. A public boat launch is located in the town of Savona, a two minute drive from the park.

Electrical hookups

Electrical hookups (30 amp service) are available at 10 campsites within the park. Please note: the cost of electrictity is $5.00/night surcharge.

Campfires

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.

Activities

Hiking

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.

Swimming

Swimming is available at this beautiful sandy beach but visitors should use caution and be aware of the currents as the water from the lake drains into the river. There are no lifeguards on duty in Provincial Parks.

Canoeing

There are both canoeing and kayaking opportunities on Kamloops Lake. Use caution as the lake is narrow and windstorms can create very rough water. A popular activity is canoeing from Steelhead Park to Cache Creek.

Fishing

Fishing for trout, salmon and of course steelhead is popular. A valid BC angling licence is required and must be carried with you when fishing.

Pets on leash

Pets/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.

Cycling

Cycling is permitted and must keep to the roadways. Helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

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

Waterskiing

There are waterskiing opportunities at this park.

Windsurfing

There are windsurfing opportunities on Kamloops Lake.

Maps and location

View a more detailed map.

Located 40 km west of Kamloops on Highway #1 on the southwest end of Kamloops Lake. The closest community is Savona.

Learn more about this park

Park details

Date established: July 15, 1993
Size: 38.3 hectares

Park contact

This park proudly operated by:
Shuswap Adams Parks Ltd.
parkinquiries@telus.net
250 320-9305

BC Visitor Information Centre (Clearwater)

Nature and culture

History: The park was established in 1995. It is the site of one of the oldest homesteads in the southern interior and well as a stagecoach depot and ferry landing. The historic buildings and cemetery are still located on site. As a former private campground, the park has electrical and water hook-ups that are not common in provincial parks.
Cultural Heritage: First Nations have been very involved in protection and interpretation of heritage sites and artifacts found within the park. The site relates to First Nations fishing dating back to 10,000 years ago.
Conservation: Vegetation is fragile due to the hot, dry climate. Sagebrush, prickly pear cactus and bunchgrasses prevail. Pink salmon spawn at the river mouth. The largest section of the park is on the south side of Highway #1 and is established as a natural environment zone.

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.