Plan Pritchard Park on the South Thompson River with boat access, canoeing, birding, riparian habitat, wildlife viewing, no road access, and no potable water.
Pritchard Park protects river frontage on the South Thompson River about 40 kilometres northeast of Kamloops. BC Parks says the park is accessible only by boat and has no road access.
The park is valuable because much of the river frontage between Chase and Kamloops is privately owned, making this public river access especially notable. Because no road reaches the park, every visit should be planned as part of a river itinerary rather than a roadside stop.
Why Visit Pritchard Park
Pritchard Park is a quiet South Thompson destination for paddlers, birders, and visitors interested in river habitat. The park covers a five-kilometre section of riparian habitat with aspen, cottonwood, ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, willow, hawthorn, Saskatoon berry, grasses, sedges, and other river-edge vegetation.
Wildlife is the main reason to slow down here. BC Parks identifies the park as important habitat for trumpeter and tundra swans, other waterfowl, shorebirds, passerines, beavers, muskrats, and otters. The South Thompson River also supports trout, salmon, and other fish species.
Things To Do
Canoe on the Thompson River, watch waterfowl and shorebirds, study riparian plants, look for beaver, muskrat, and otter activity, and use the river frontage as a low-impact stop on a boat-based trip.
Planning Notes
Bring your own drinking water because potable water is not available. Plan around river conditions and self-rescue, since access is by boat only. Pets must be leashed. BC Parks notes that the presence of cultural heritage sites is unknown, but Kekuli pits may be present, so leave cultural and natural features undisturbed.