Junction Sheep Range Park lies at the confluence of the Chilcotin and Fraser rivers in central British Columbia. BC Parks describes rolling grasslands, deeply eroded gullies, cliffs, hoodoos, and grassland benches in a spectacular dry landscape.
The park was designated in 1995 through the Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan.
Junction Sheep Range Park is protected most notably for its internationally significant herd of California bighorn sheep. BC Parks says the area protects critical breeding, lambing, and winter range for one of the largest non-migratory bighorn sheep populations in the world.
The landscape is also important. Grasslands make up less than one percent of British Columbia, yet support a high diversity of species at risk. The park's grasslands have not been grazed by cattle since 1986, making them nationally significant. BC Parks notes roughly 500 bighorn sheep live in the area. The no-camping rule helps protect sensitive sheep range.
Visitors come for scenery, hiking, cycling on permitted routes, wildlife viewing, photography, and understanding grassland conservation. The ecosystem is fragile; trampling and weed introduction can damage cryptogamic crusts, bunchgrass, and habitat values.
Plan around dryland hiking, grassland photography, bighorn sheep viewing from a distance, river-confluence scenery, cycling where allowed, learning about hoodoos and cliffs, and careful nature observation.
Camping is not permitted in the park or on Riske Creek Ranching private property. Obey closures and motor-vehicle restrictions, clean vehicles and footwear to avoid spreading weeds, and do not disturb sheep or fragile grassland crusts.
