Marble Canyon Park covers 2,544 hectares northwest of Cache Creek in the Thompson region. BC Parks says the park includes Pavilion Lake, Turquoise Lake, and Crown Lake, with views of the Pavilion Mountain Range and a rare limestone canyon.
Most visitors enter through the gated Crown Lake Campground, about 40 kilometres northwest of Cache Creek on Highway 99.
Marble Canyon is a strong choice for campers who want lakes, desert-edge scenery, and geology in one stop. Crown Lake is the park's most popular area, with vehicle-accessible camping, fishing, birdwatching, swimming from a small beach, and paddling access to Crown and Turquoise lakes.
Pavilion Lake gives the park international scientific significance. BC Parks says it is one of the few places in the world with freshwater stromatolites, fragile coral-like structures formed from fossilized remains of microorganisms. Scuba diving is limited to marked areas during the diving season, and anchors or downriggers must never be used on Pavilion Lake.
Camp at Crown Lake, hike the maintained trail to the south-shore waterfall, swim, canoe or kayak Crown, Turquoise, or Pavilion lakes, fish for rainbow trout, ice fish in winter, birdwatch, scuba dive in approved Pavilion Lake zones, and climb where access is open.
Summer is hot and dry, so bring plenty of water. Use designated parking only, avoid Highway 99 shoulders, keep pets leashed, respect private homes near Pavilion Lake access, and protect stromatolites from contact or gear damage. Check campground gate status before winter visits.
