BC Parks Home Ministry of Environment Home Ministry of Environment Home Government of BC
'
'
'
'
Lac Le Jeune beach ' Lac Le Jeune Provincial Park
'
important info, warnings, alerts for park visitors
general overview of park, size, special features safety, park hazards, wildlife information, health risks
park location, parks nearby, how to get to the park history, cultural heritage, conservation, wildlife
maps of park and/or campground, trails, etc. Management Planning
campsite reservations, group and picnic site reservations images of the park
 

vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping group camping - 15 or more campers picnic, day-use facilities, no camping wheelchair accessiblity drinking water toilets showers sani-stations, sani-dumps firewood, campfires There are no electrical hook-ups in this park interpretive, educational programs
walking, hiking trails playgrounds swimming canoeing, kayaking power boats, boat launch fishing cycling, mountain biking, bicycling horses, horseback riding pets, domestic animals in parks Icon Legend- Green =Available Grey = Unavailable

wildlife viewing
winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating scuba, snorkelling windsurfing waterskiing hunting climbing, rock climbing spelunking, caving cabins, yurts, lodges click on green symbols for more information

 

Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

  • There are no park alerts at this time.

Park Info:

Nestled among an open stand of lodgepole pine, spruce and fir, 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.

Top of Page

Park Size: 213 hectares

Special Notes:

  • The park is used for informal cross-country skiing in the winter and connects to the Stake Lake Ski Trail system.

Management Planning:

 

Location:

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.

Map/Brochure:

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Top of Page

Nature & Culture:
  • History - The original 47 hectare park was designated in 1956. An additional 118 hectares of upland and 48 hectares of foreshore was designated in 1996 as a result of recommendations made in the Kamloops Land and Resources Management Plan. It was intended that the addition be kept natural, with no development or vehicle access. The park will be managed according to the Management Direction Statement for Lac Le Jeune Park.
  • Conservation - The park protects upland and riparian habitats on portions of Lac Le Jeune. The trout fishery is provincially significant. A marsh on the east side of the lake is protected. A sunscreening canopy of lodgepole pine plays shadows on the pine grass of this lakeside park. The waters of Lac Le Jeune are famous for fighting rainbow trout.
    Cycles of Change (pdf) - Flyer about the Mountain Pine Beetle in Lac Le Jeune Provincial Park.
  • Wildlife - The park provides habitat for moose, mule deer, beaver, osprey, song birds and waterfowl.
  • General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information


Visitor Safety:
  • Black bears are common in the area. In 2004, three bears had to be destroyed because they became habituated to eating food and garbage left out by careless campers. Please read more on bear safety.

Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

Top of Page

Reservations:For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.

Campsite Reservations:
Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.

Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

Contact Information:

Brandywine Environmental Management Ltd.
E-mail address: brwill@telus.net
Phone: 1-250-828-9533
Click here to view a non-government web link, for additional information.

Top of Page

vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites

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.

  • The front gate is locked from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am.
  • There is a resort five minutes from the park providing a few amenities.
  • A pay phone is located at the entrance to the park.
  • There are two recycle centres in the campground.
  • There is no wilderness backcountry camping.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $19.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only): $9.50 per senior's couple/night

Hours of Operation - All dates are subject to change without notice

Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.)

May 15 - September 15
Off-season: self-contained units in day use area; no fee; no services.
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: May 15 - September 15
Campground Reservable Dates: May 15 - September 4
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: 144
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) 87
Note: The above information is for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor Notice" above for park alerts.

wilderness, backcountry,  walk-in camping

No wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping.

group camping - 15 or more campers

No group campsites.

picnic, day-use facilities,  no camping

There are 34 picnic tables. The day-use is a large grassy area near the shore of the lake. Large fir trees shade some of the tables. There is a parking lot adjacent to the day -use. Next to the day-use is a picnic shelter. The picnic shelter contains 5 tables, counter space, a sink but no water hook-up and has lexan windows to provide protection from the wind.
Day-use Area Vehicle Parking Fee: $1.00 per vehicle / hour to a maximum of $3.00 per vehicle per/day. For information about yearly parking passes, or further information about parking fees, click here.

wheelchair accessibility

There is a 240' fishing wharf provided for physically challenged anglers. Some facilities and hiking trails in the park are wheelchair accessible, as are 2 stalls each in the flush toilet buildings.

Top of Page
drinking water

There are potable cold water taps located throughout the campground.

toilets

Pit toilets and flush pit toilets are located throughout the campground.
Flush toilets are located in the day-use area.

showers

There are no shower facilities.

sani-stations, sani-dumps

A user pay sani-station is located near the entrance to the park.
Sani-station Use Fee: $2.00 per discharge

firewood, campfires

Firewood can be purchased from the Park Facility 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.

There are no electrical hook-ups in this park There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
interpretive,  educational  programs

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. Click here for a schedule of programs.

Top of Page
walking, hiking trails

The Gus Johnson trail circles the lake. through forest and skirting wet meadows. It is approx. 8 km in length. From the park there is access to the Gus Johnson trail and the extensive Stake Lake trail system. Stake Lake provides over 45 km of trails.
Both trails are used for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing.

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.

playgrounds

There is an adventure playground and two horseshoe pitches located near the centre of the campground, close to the day-use area.

swimming

There is 146 metres of sandy beach. Swimming is popular and there is a sectioned off swim area. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

canoeing, kayaking

Canoe, kayak and paddle-boat rentals are available; contact the Park Facility Operator or the Campground Host for information.

power boats, boat launch

There is a concrete car ramp for boats. There is also a speed restriction of 20 km/h on the lake.

fishing

Ice Fishing

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.
Other fish in the lake include brook and bull trout, mountain whitefish and lake chub. 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.

cycling, mountain biking, bicycling

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.

horses, horseback riding

No horseback riding.

pets, domestic animals in parks Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in park buildings. On the beach, pets are restricted to a signed area near the west end of the parking lot. 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.

wildlife viewing

Moose, bear, lynx and other animals can be seen along the Gus Johnson and Stake Lake trails. Many birds, including waterfowl, are found along the lakeshore. Watch for Great Blue Heron waiting motionless at the water's edge.

Top of Page

winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating

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.

scuba, snorkelling

No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.

windsurfing

No windsurfing opportunities.

waterskiing

No waterskiing opportunities.

hunting

No hunting in the park.

climbing, rock climbing

No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.

spelunking, caving

No spelunking or caving opportunities.

cabins, yurts, lodges

There are no cabins, yurts or lodges in the park but some private lodges nearby.

Top of Page

 

Footer Graphic Copyright Information Mail Us Privacy Information A Complete Site Map Search the Ministry's SiteDisclaimer
'''''