Goldpan Park sits on the east bank of the Thompson River beside Highway 1, 10 kilometres south of Spences Bridge. BC Parks says the park was built in 1956 and remains a convenient overnight camping spot for Highway 1 travellers.
It is also a fishing destination during peak seasons and a useful base for guided rafting trips and exploring the Thompson and Pavilion area.
Goldpan Park is a compact river campground with a strong travel-stop identity. The official page notes 600 metres of Thompson River frontage and fishing opportunities for trout, steelhead, and salmon. Osprey may be seen over the river, and California bighorn sheep can sometimes be observed on surrounding hills in the Spences Bridge area.
The landscape adds context to a short stay. BC Parks highlights the Thompson Canyon's geological and human history, including the historic Cariboo Wagon Road. The area also has evidence of First Nations use connected to fishing and river travel.
For many visitors, the appeal is practical: camp beside the river, fish where regulations allow, meet a rafting operator nearby, and break up a Highway 1 drive through a dramatic dry canyon setting.
Plan around frontcountry camping, Thompson River fishing, kayaking opportunities, guided rafting based nearby, river and canyon photography, local history stops, wildlife viewing, and cautious walks within the campground area.
The Thompson River is very swift, especially during June and July high water. The climate is extremely hot and dry, so bring sun protection. Watch for wood ticks from March through June, keep pets leashed, and observe campground quiet hours.
