Tunkwa Park
5,138 ha
Area
1996
Established
Class A
Park class
Park
Type
About this Park
Tunkwa Park contains two large, man-made trout fishing lakes, Tunkwa and Leighton. There are campgrounds on both lakes. Tunkwa is listed in the top 10 provincial rainbow trout fisheries.
This park protects mid elevation grasslands, forests, lakes, and wetlands including bogs and ponds. This is a year-round recreation area noted for camping, hunting, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Special notes
- Vehicle and ATV access is limited to designated trails as fish bearing streams wetlands and grasslands need special protection and should not be crossed. There is a staging area bordering the North Leighton campground that is set aside for ATV use. ATVs are prohibited within the campground boundaries.
- Two special management areas are foot access only.
- There are populations of yellow-bellied marmots residing in and around Tunkwa Park. They are a naturally-occurring species that reside in arid grasslands with abundant rock piles. The campgrounds in the park are located in mid-elevation grasslands which provide a favourable habitat for marmots in regards to climate and food sources. Natural talus slopes and large rock outcrops are rare in the park, but numerous man-made features mimic ideal marmot burrowing grounds. As a result, Tunkwa Park has a relatively high yellow-bellied marmot population. Visitors to the park are encouraged to protect their assets as marmots are curious and have been known to carry out activities that can be detrimental to vehicles, camping equipment, etc.
- Tunkwa Lake Vegetation Management Project [PDF]
Location notes
The park is located midway between Savona and Logan Lake on the southern Thompson Plateau, about 40 km southwest of Kamloops. It is accessed via 24 km of paved road from Savona or 16 km from Logan Lake on the Tunkwa Lake Road.
Activities
- 6878:Hunting The discharge and carrying of firearms is permitted in this park for the purposes of hunting during open season. Please consult the BC Government Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information. Contact BC Parks at parkinfo@gov.bc.ca with any specific questions.
- 6878:Hiking Visitors can hike the grasslands or do a long wander around Tunkwa Lake.Map: Leighton Lake and Bluff Hill trails
- 6878:Canoeing Canoeing and kayaking opportunities exist on both lakes.
- 6878:Swimming
- 6878:Fishing Both lakes are popular for trout fishing. Lakes are stocked annually with rainbow trout. Fishing is from boats, float tubes, canoes and from shore. There are no fish cleaning stations. Fish must be cleaned out in the lake.
- 6878:Pets on leash Pets 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.
- 6878:Interpretive programs The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has a fun, hands on, Learn to Fish Program that will teach basic angling skills to youth under 16 years old. Check back to this page or ask the park operator for information.
Facilities
- 6878:Picnic areas Day-use facilities are available at the south end of Tunkwa Lake. A pit toilet and 10 picnic tables are provided. This is a natural grass area right next to the lake that is very open with no shade.
- 6878:Pit or flush toilets Pit toilets are located at each campground.
- 6878:Drinking water Hand pumps provide potable water. Two pumps are located at the Tunkwa campground and one pump each at both Leighton and Leighton North campgrounds.Check advisories for any boil water advisories in effect.
- 6878:Boat launch There are two gravel boat launches, one at Tunkwa and one at Leighton. Tunkwa has a maximum 10hp restriction, and boaters on both lakes should use slow speeds to avoid damaging habitat or quiet fishing enjoyment.
- 6878:Campfires Firewood can be purchased from the park operator or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Be prepared by bringing a portable stove for cooking.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.
- 6878:Fishing Dock
- 6878:Accessibility information Accessibility information is available for this park, as well as these areas of the park:Leighton campgroundLeighton North campgroundTunkwa day-use area
Location
50.60936, -120.87307 · Thompson Southern Rivers
