Emory Creek Provincial Park is a 72-acre park set on the western banks of the Fraser River in Emory Creek, British Columbia. Set on the site of ‘Emory City’, it had humble beginnings as a gold mining camp during the 1850s Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, but not very much gold was found here. In the 1880s, it was made the western terminus for the Canadian Pacific Railway, and was established as a booming small town. When the railway was completed, nearby Yale was made the main terminus instead, and Emory Creek was abandoned.
Today, it consists of a pretty basic campground with paved roads, 35 RV and tent-friendly campsites, and flush toilets. The Canadian Pacific Railway still operates nearby and you can often hear the sounds of the trains in the distance. Recreational facilities are limited, but the beauty of the park more than makes up for it. Spend your days fishing in the Fraser River, panning for gold at Emory Creek, and bird or wildlife watching along the riverbanks.
There is no gatehouse at the entrance to the campsites. If you don't find any park staff around when you arrive, just pick a campsite that doesn’t have a ticket number on the post. The park staff will come to your campsite at some point to collect your fee.
It’s worth mentioning that the campground gate will be closed during the off-season (October to May). Camping is not permitted when the gate is locked, however, you can still walk into the park for the day.
Emory Creek Provincial Park can be found 3.5 miles (6 km) south of Hope and 11 miles (18 km) north of Yale on Highway 1. The roads within the park are paved so you should have no difficulty getting to the campground. There are no driving restrictions in the park but as the campground is treed you will have to watch out for low hanging branches, particularly if you are in a big rig.
Parking is available in the campground if you are staying overnight, but there is no overflow parking for extra vehicles.
The campground at Emory Creek Provincial Park is very basic with no RV hookups. It consists of 35 tree-lined campsites for tents and big rig access. Two of these campsites are double sites which are fit for RVs, but there are no pull-through sites. The vehicle-access campsites can fit RVs and trailers up to 32 feet, but larger sizes may be accommodated so we recommend calling ahead to check.
Each campsite has a tent pad, fire pit, and a picnic table. Facilities in the campground include water taps (closed during the off-season), and pit and flush toilets. The campsites can't be reserved in advance; they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
While there are no facilities inside the park besides picnic areas and toilets, a general store is conveniently located opposite the entrance to the park. Firewood can also be purchased from any of the park staff. Emory Creek Provincial Park is pet-friendly, but you will need to keep your dogs on a leash at all times.
Bring your bicycle from home and enjoy cycling around Emory Creek Provincial Park. Keep in mind that there are no specific biking trails built for this purpose, but you can cycle along the paved roads within the park. The paved roads make the trip easy and there is less chance of getting a tire puncture. Please note that wearing a bicycle helmet is mandatory in British Columbia. If you are found without a helmet, you could face a fine.
Set along the banks of the Fraser River, Emory Creek Provincial Park is a fantastic spot for fly fishing enthusiasts. Some decent angling can be enjoyed at the mouth area below Train Tressel. Try your luck fishing for white sturgeon, cutthroat trout, bull trout, rainbow trout, northern pike, steelhead, minnow, and peamouth chub in the river and creek. Salmon are also popular in the Fraser River and its tributaries. Please note that you will require a British Columbia fishing license to fish in the park.
If you are looking to enjoy a very active hiking holiday, Emory Creek Provincial Park is perhaps not the best destination for you. However, while there are no actual hiking trails in the park, you can still enjoy a peaceful walk out in nature. Head down along the Fraser River or stroll along Emory Creek and keep an eye out for the interesting bird and wildlife activity along the riverfront. Pack your binoculars and camera.
While the gates to the campground are closed during the winter months, you can still walk into the park for the day. There are no specific hiking trails within Emory Creek Provincial Park. However, you can enjoy a stroll along the Fraser River and Emory Creek at your leisure. The park is home to some small mammals and birds and the quieter off-season months are the perfect time to spot them. There are some popular gold panning spots still available at Emory Creek, so it’s worth trying your luck.
Bird watching is a popular pastime at Emory Creek Provincial Park during the off-season months, so if you're an aspiring ornithologist you're in luck. You may spot a variety of bird species in the trees and along the Fraser River and Emory Creek. Popular bird sightings include grey warblers, varied thrush, and chestnut-backed chickadee. Don’t forget your bird books and your binoculars.
Emory Creek Provincial Park is home to a variety of small mammals and a few larger mammals. In fact, the park is a hive of activity if you know where to look. Watch the Douglas squirrels and northwestern chipmunks frolicking about the treetops, or spot a Cascade deer mouse in search of food. Larger mammals like mule deer and cougar can be spotted too, but they are often frightened off by the noise of the highway and the railway. Black bears are also observed in the park so be sure to keep your food packed away safely.
