North Thompson Oxbows East Park is 50 kilometres north of Blue River and 280 kilometres north of Kamloops. BC Parks says access is by logging road, six kilometres west of Highway 5 where the North Thompson River crosses the highway.
The park protects a wide meandering river system in the upper North Thompson River lowlands.
The closest communities listed by BC Parks are Blue River, Vavenby, McBride, and nearby Kamloops.
North Thompson Oxbows East is a conservation-focused river lowland with floodplain wetlands, numerous oxbow lakes, sandbars, back channels, levees, and glacial river features. It also protects small patches of old-growth hybrid spruce and subalpine fir.
The park is productive habitat for moose, wolves, grizzly bear, and beaver. BC Parks also identifies important habitat for bull trout, Rocky Mountain whitefish, and rainbow trout, including one of the few stable bull trout populations in the region. Fish species listed for the park include rainbow and bull trout, Chinook, and coho salmon.
Canoe or kayak if prepared for North Thompson River hazards, fish with the proper licence, watch wildlife, study wetlands and oxbow lakes, hunt during open seasons, and use nearby Blue River, Vavenby, and McBride as regional orientation points.
Logging-road access and river travel require caution. Sweepers and log jams may not be visible in advance. Bring navigation, emergency supplies, weather gear, and communications. Hunting and fishing must follow current regulations, and visitors should avoid disturbing wetlands, riparian habitat, and wildlife.
