| Your Base Camp for Adventure! |
| The Stats: NorthThompson/Spahats Campsites: 60/day use only Facilities: running filtered water, picnic site, First Nations Heritage site, Playground, river access. Average use: NT 20 units May, June, and September, 50 July and August. What to see: First Nations Pit Houses, Trails, North Thompson River, Waterfalls, Canyons |
| North Thompson Park and Spahats Day Use Area These two parks are located right near Clearwater proper, with Spahats about 10 Km's up the Clearwater Valley road, and North Thompson directly off Highway 5 just south of Clearwater. Leave your camp behind at North Thompson and go exploring around Clearwater and Wells Gray. Here's just some of the things you can do within a half hour drive of both of these parks: Trophy Mountain and Raft Peak Hiking White Water Rafting Kayaking Guided or unguided Fishing Horseback riding Clearwater Valley trail trekking Golfing Swimming Mountain Biking You can also see: Silvertip Falls Clearwater River features like the Kettle Dutch Lake Spahats Falls The Shaden Moul Falls Raft River ...And that's just the beginning. |
What you need to know:
North Thompson Park is located off Highway 5 just south of Clearwater,
while Spahats is located about 10 Km's north of the Clearwater Info
Centre on the Clearwater Valley road.
Camping Fees are currently 15 dollars per vehicle per night, But all
sorts of conditions apply( BC Seniors rates, second vehicles), so see
the signs at the parks for exact details on what you're required to pay.
Firewood is for sale, 2005 rate is tentatively 5 dollars per large tub.
North Thompson Park also has a Sani station for RV septic dumping,
fee is 2 dollars in loonies or twoonies per dump. You need to bring
change.
North Thompson Park is located off Highway 5 just south of Clearwater,
while Spahats is located about 10 Km's north of the Clearwater Info
Centre on the Clearwater Valley road.
Camping Fees are currently 15 dollars per vehicle per night, But all
sorts of conditions apply( BC Seniors rates, second vehicles), so see
the signs at the parks for exact details on what you're required to pay.
Firewood is for sale, 2005 rate is tentatively 5 dollars per large tub.
North Thompson Park also has a Sani station for RV septic dumping,
fee is 2 dollars in loonies or twoonies per dump. You need to bring
change.
The Useful Info:
CELLPHONES may work, but there are lots of blackout areas.
The nearest pay phone is at the Flour Meadow Bakery 9 Km's
away (for Spahats), or across from the sani station (in North
Thompson Park).
Local information Radio is CHNL at either 610 or 1400 on the
AM dial.
North Thompson and Spahats parks offer a family friendly
camping experience, with picnic tables and fire rings at every
campsite, as well as Outhouses, clean running water and other
facilities.
North Thompson has several playing fields and a large
Playground.
Campsites are Patrolled and Maintained several times daily.
Stores, Gas, and other services are close at hand in Clearwater.
CELLPHONES may work, but there are lots of blackout areas.
The nearest pay phone is at the Flour Meadow Bakery 9 Km's
away (for Spahats), or across from the sani station (in North
Thompson Park).
Local information Radio is CHNL at either 610 or 1400 on the
AM dial.
North Thompson and Spahats parks offer a family friendly
camping experience, with picnic tables and fire rings at every
campsite, as well as Outhouses, clean running water and other
facilities.
North Thompson has several playing fields and a large
Playground.
Campsites are Patrolled and Maintained several times daily.
Stores, Gas, and other services are close at hand in Clearwater.
| Trophy Mountain |
North Thompson and Spahats Parks FAQ’s
How big are the parks?
Not very big, just a few Hectares.
Were can I see a bear?
Bears are rare in North Thompson Park, if you see one, alert PFO Staff.
Bears are more common in and around Spahats Park as it was until recently
part of a no shooting zone which included the now closed Bear Creek
Correctional Centre located off the Trophy Mountain road. The best place to
see a bear is probably along one of the side roads.
Where can I see a Moose?
A rare site in both parks, But more likely around Spahats, Deer are common
in both parks however, as are all sorts of birds and small mammals like Hares
and Squirrels.
Are there any stores/gas stations in the park? No.
Clearwater has the closest amenities.
Nearest Phones?
North Thompson –yes pay phone in park
Spahats-Clearwater(Flour Meadow Bakery)
Will cell phones work in the park?
Coverage is poor at best- don’t count on it.
Are there hook-ups in the park
(water and electricity for motor homes)? No.
Showers? Not at this time.
Sani stations for dumping septic tanks/ gray water? Yes is one at North
Thompson Park. Cost is 2 dollars per use.
Running water? Both parks have running water, all water systems are
tested on a monthly (or better) basis to ensure your safety. Water taste and
quality is excellent in all parks (especially Pyramid- some of the best drinking
water I’ve ever tried).
Where can I get firewood?
Firewood can be purchased from park staff at a cost of $5 per bin (approx. 2
cubic feet). Staff will be selling wood during evening collection shifts, usually
between 5-30 and 10 pm. Certain stores (local gas stations also sell it, But
generally at a higher cost for volume)
Burn only firewood you have brought with you or that you purchase from Park
Staff. Removing trees and branches from the forest floor is a violation of the
Park Act and will result in a fine.
Are dogs allowed in the park? Yes dogs are allowed, But must be kept on
a leash.
Other things banned from the park include But are not limited to:
Personal water Craft -IE Jet skis, Sea-doo’s
Unlicensed/uninsured motorbikes-ie Quads, dirt bikes, ATV’s
Horses without a permit.
How much does it cost to stay in the park?
All drive in campsites are basically $15 dollars per night, per vehicle(see
registration sign for details.)
Nonpayment of fees is grounds for eviction or fines under the park act.
Can I pay with my Credit Card or Debit Card?
No. Cash or Travelers Cheque are the only acceptable forms of payment.
Personal cheques are not accepted!
What’s a good short hike I can take (2 hours or less)?
North Thompson is filled with great short loop trails, all in excellent condition,
the short trails along the river, and to the viewpoint are exceptionally nice.
Spahats has lots of intermingled trails to and from the viewpoint, the ones that
are very nice, But get overlooked are the Shaden Viewpoint, and the trails
back towards the main road that follow Spahats Creek… the towering cedars
alone are worth the walk.
What’s a good medium hike I can take (1-3 hours)?
The Shaden(Spahats), But check at the info centre for details on this trail, as
part of it was damaged by a slide in the last few years.
How big are the parks?
Not very big, just a few Hectares.
Were can I see a bear?
Bears are rare in North Thompson Park, if you see one, alert PFO Staff.
Bears are more common in and around Spahats Park as it was until recently
part of a no shooting zone which included the now closed Bear Creek
Correctional Centre located off the Trophy Mountain road. The best place to
see a bear is probably along one of the side roads.
Where can I see a Moose?
A rare site in both parks, But more likely around Spahats, Deer are common
in both parks however, as are all sorts of birds and small mammals like Hares
and Squirrels.
Are there any stores/gas stations in the park? No.
Clearwater has the closest amenities.
Nearest Phones?
North Thompson –yes pay phone in park
Spahats-Clearwater(Flour Meadow Bakery)
Will cell phones work in the park?
Coverage is poor at best- don’t count on it.
Are there hook-ups in the park
(water and electricity for motor homes)? No.
Showers? Not at this time.
Sani stations for dumping septic tanks/ gray water? Yes is one at North
Thompson Park. Cost is 2 dollars per use.
Running water? Both parks have running water, all water systems are
tested on a monthly (or better) basis to ensure your safety. Water taste and
quality is excellent in all parks (especially Pyramid- some of the best drinking
water I’ve ever tried).
Where can I get firewood?
Firewood can be purchased from park staff at a cost of $5 per bin (approx. 2
cubic feet). Staff will be selling wood during evening collection shifts, usually
between 5-30 and 10 pm. Certain stores (local gas stations also sell it, But
generally at a higher cost for volume)
Burn only firewood you have brought with you or that you purchase from Park
Staff. Removing trees and branches from the forest floor is a violation of the
Park Act and will result in a fine.
Are dogs allowed in the park? Yes dogs are allowed, But must be kept on
a leash.
Other things banned from the park include But are not limited to:
Personal water Craft -IE Jet skis, Sea-doo’s
Unlicensed/uninsured motorbikes-ie Quads, dirt bikes, ATV’s
Horses without a permit.
How much does it cost to stay in the park?
All drive in campsites are basically $15 dollars per night, per vehicle(see
registration sign for details.)
Nonpayment of fees is grounds for eviction or fines under the park act.
Can I pay with my Credit Card or Debit Card?
No. Cash or Travelers Cheque are the only acceptable forms of payment.
Personal cheques are not accepted!
What’s a good short hike I can take (2 hours or less)?
North Thompson is filled with great short loop trails, all in excellent condition,
the short trails along the river, and to the viewpoint are exceptionally nice.
Spahats has lots of intermingled trails to and from the viewpoint, the ones that
are very nice, But get overlooked are the Shaden Viewpoint, and the trails
back towards the main road that follow Spahats Creek… the towering cedars
alone are worth the walk.
What’s a good medium hike I can take (1-3 hours)?
The Shaden(Spahats), But check at the info centre for details on this trail, as
part of it was damaged by a slide in the last few years.
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Clearwater River
