North Thompson Oxbows Jensen Island Park is 24 kilometres north of Kamloops off Westsyde Road. BC Parks says the park can only be accessed through private land, with nearby communities including Kamloops, Barriere, and Clearwater.
The park protects an oxbow feature in the North Thompson River lowlands.
Jensen Island is mainly a wetland and wildlife-viewing landscape rather than a serviced recreation stop. The oxbow fills during spring freshet and dries through summer, creating a seasonal range of riparian habitats.
BC Parks says there are no camping or day-use facilities. Canoeing is permitted, but there is no access through adjacent private land. Wildlife viewing is possible from Highway 5 and Westsyde Road, where surrounding private land limits access. The park was established April 30, 1996 after recommendations from the Kamloops Land and Resources Management Plan.
The rich oxbow, marsh, and wetland habitat supports waterfowl, otter, and beaver. It is also a migration stop for white pelican, tundra swan, trumpeter swan, migrating passerines, and waterfowl, with possible Chinook salmon spawning.
View wildlife from public roads, photograph seasonal wetland habitat from lawful viewpoints, fish only where legal access and regulations allow, and study how spring flooding and summer drying shape riparian habitat.
Do not cross private land without permission. There are no facilities, and access limitations are central to trip planning. Bring binoculars for roadside viewing, keep pets leashed, avoid disturbing wetlands or birds, and confirm current fishing rules before assuming access.
