Banana Island Park is a small BC Parks island in the South Thompson River, about 35 kilometres east of Kamloops. BC Parks says the closest communities are Pritchard, Kamloops, and Chase.
The official page is clear that this environmentally sensitive island is not suitable for recreation.
Banana Island is best understood as sensitive river habitat with limited, careful access rather than a conventional park destination. BC Parks says the island protects spring salmon spawning grounds and nesting grounds for a variety of birds and waterfowl, with nesting waterfowl from April to July and nesting raptors from spring until August.
The park has cultural and ecological value. BC Parks notes historical use by the Neskonlith Indian Band and many kekuli pits, or semi-underground pit houses, on the island. The island is long and narrow, with ponderosa pine and grassy understory.
Activities listed by BC Parks include canoeing or kayaking access, fishing, wildlife viewing, and hunting during open season. Fishing opportunities include trout, whitefish, and bull trout when in season, while wildlife viewing notes include Canada geese, osprey, bald eagle, and wintering swans.
Plan around canoe or kayak access, low-impact wildlife viewing, seasonal fishing, hunting where permitted, cultural-history awareness, river travel, and avoiding disturbance to nesting areas.
There are no camping or day-use facilities and no toilets. BC Parks says the island is not suitable for dogs because of wildlife issues and potential trauma to nesting waterfowl. Confirm seasons, regulations, and BC Parks updates.
