Sitting on the northern shores of Thompson River is Juniper Beach Provincial Park, a 2.6 sq. km (1 sq. mile) park which forms part of a post-glacial landscape with large-scale erosional features. Located 19 km (12 miles) east of Cache Creek on Highway 1, British Columbia, this provincial park protects a representative desert landscape containing sagebrush, prickly pear cactus and juniper.
Facilities and amenities at Juniper Beach Provincial Park include 32 RV campsites equipped with electric hookups, picnic areas, pit/flush toilets, showers, water taps, wheelchair accessible areas, boat launch, dump stations, firewood, telephone, Information Center, and parking areas. The campsites in the park are available by reservation and on first-come first-served basis.
Activities to enjoy while on vacation at the park include hiking and biking, fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, wildlife and bird viewing, nature and flora observation, swimming, picnicking, photography, and touring the nearby historic Hat Creek Ranch and Ashcroft Manor.
Both Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway tracks run by Juniper Beach Provincial Park, providing an attraction to train-buffs.
Juniper Beach Provincial Park was established in 1989.
Located 19 km (12 miles) east of Cache Creek on Highway 1, on the north shore of Thompson River, Juniper Beach Provincial Park is a simple drive-in park that is easy to access by RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles. A local paved road within the park makes navigation easy and will take campers wherever they wish to go. Driving speed limit within Juniper Beach Provincial Park is 20 km/h (12 mph).
There are two parking areas available for RV campers to park their RVs, trailers, and cars in Juniper Beach Provincial Park. RV campers can either park their rigs on the gravel portion of their respective campsites or in the designated parking areas in the park. Parking by the roadside in the park is prohibited. Overnight parking is available at Juniper Beach Provincial Park.
There are no direct public transportation services to Juniper Beach Provincial Park.
Juniper Beach Campground in Juniper Beach Provincial Park features 32 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. All the campsites in the campground are equipped with electric hookups for RVs. RV length limit in the campground is 32 ft (10 m), however vacationers with larger rigs can call ahead to find out if there is space available. Picnic tables and fire grills are available at the campsites in the park and waterfront access is available. Alcohol consumption is only allowed in respective campsites. Quiet Time is from 10 pm to 7 am.
22 campsites in the campground are available by reservations, while 10 campsites are available on first-come first-served basis.
Juniper Beach Provincial Park features a day use area where campers and visitors sit to enjoy outdoor meals with family and friends. Picnic tables are available at the picnic area.
A small “swimming hole” that offers protected swimming opportunities for RV campers is available on the beach of the campground in Juniper Beach Provincial Park when water levels are low on the Thompson River. Caution is advised when swimming in the beach as it can be dangerously swift during high water levels. No lifeguards are on duty at the beach in the park.
Juniper Beach Provincial Park features undisturbed low elevation grasslands which are rare in British Columbia parks. These plants are associated with sagebrush and cactus in the park, and the sagebrush is home to Western Rattlesnakes. Deer are often seen in the park. Birds sighted in the park include Western Tanager, Mountain Bluebird and the Northern Oriole.
Opportunities to paddle canoes and kayak on Thompson River are available in Juniper Beach Provincial Park and campers can easily launch these vessels from the park. It is important for canoeists to check the grade of the river before attempting to navigate its waters.
RV campers don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy angling on Thompson River when on vacation at Juniper Beach Provincial Park. The river contains steelhead, trout, and salmon, so come along with your fishing gear and tackle to take part in the fishing exercise. All RV campers who wish to fish must possess an appropriate fishing license.
Hiking opportunities are available at Juniper Beach Provincial Park in the vicinity of the campground and RV campers often hike on these undesignated trails that offer the chance to view the vegetation and features of the park. Along these trails, prickly pear cactus is common, hence hikers are advised to exercise caution and watch out for them.
RV campers can also ride motorcycles and bicycles on the roads in the park. The use of helmets is mandatory.
