Sitting on the western shore of Nicola Lake is Monck Provincial Park, featuring a volcanic rock cliff landscape, bunchgrass ecosystem, and Ponderosa pine. Located 22 km (14 miles) east of Merritt, and accessible via a narrow paved road 12 km (7.5 miles) off Highway 5A, British Columbia, this provincial park offers recreational activities for RV campers including hiking along self-guided interpretive trails, cycling along park roadways and designated trails, fishing for rainbow trout and kokanee, canoeing and kayaking on Nicola Lake, swimming, wildlife observation, bird viewing, waterskiing, windsurfing, photography, boating, picnicking, interpretive programs, and many more.
Facilities and amenities available at Monck Provincial Park include RV campsites in three campground loops, day use area, swimming beach, boat launch, water taps, pit/flush toilets, amphitheater, playground, dump station, telephone, wheelchair accessible areas, and Information Center.
The vegetation in the park is chiefly Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and black cottonwood, with tule and cattail occurring in dense patches around the shores of Nicola Lake.
Established in 1951 and sitting at an elevation of about 2,184 ft (666 m), the land where the park is located was initially the site of an old homestead. The park features three archaeological sites, including two First Nations pit house depressions located in the day use area.
Located 22 km (14 miles) east of Merritt, and accessible via a narrow paved road 12 km (7.5 miles) off Highway 5A, Monck Provincial Park is accessible for RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles. Within the park, the local paved road called the Monck Park Road connects the sites of interest and campground loops, granting easy navigation and accessibility around the park. Driving speed limit in Monck Provincial Park is 10 km/hr (6 mph).
There is a large parking area with numerous parking spaces for RVs, trailers, and cars in Monck Provincial Park available for use by RV campers on vacation at the park. At designated campsites, RV campers can also park their rigs. RV campers are prohibited from parking by the side of the road in the park. Overnight parking is allowed in the park.
There are no direct public transportation services to Monck Provincial Park.
Loop 3 in Monck Campground within Monck Provincial Park features 51 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. There are no electric hookups for RVs in the loop. RV length limit at the campground is 32 feet (10 m), however RV vacationers with larger rigs can call the park ahead to find out if space is available. Amenities available at Loop 3 include garbage stations, water taps, and waterfront access.
Maximum stay in the Loop is 14 days, and quiet hours are from 10pm to 7am. Alcohol consumption is allowed in designated
Loop 2 in Monck Campground within Monck Provincial Park features 44 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. There are no electric hookups for RVs in the loop. RV length limit at the campground is 32 feet (10 m), however RV vacationers with larger rigs can call the park ahead to find out if space is available. Amenities available at Loop 2 include garbage stations, water taps, wheelchair accessible areas, pit/flush toilets, and waterfront access.
Maximum stay in the Loop is 14 days, and quiet hours are from 10pm to 7am. Alcohol consumption is allowed in designated campsites.
43 campsites in Loop 2 are reservable, while one campsite is available on first-come first served basis.
Loop 1 in Monck Campground within Monck Provincial Park features 25 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. There are no electric hookups for RVs in the loop. RV length limit at the campground is 32 feet (10 m), however RV vacationers with larger rigs can call the park ahead to find out if space is available. Amenities available at Loop 1 include garbage stations, water taps, wheelchair accessible areas, pit/flush toilets, playground, and waterfront access.
Maximum stay in the Loop is 14 days, and quiet hours are from 10pm to 7am. Alcohol consumption is allowed in designated campsites.
24 campsites in Loop 1 are reservable, while one campsite is available on first-come first served basis.
Waterskiing is a popular activity among RV campers on Nicola Lake at Monck Provincial Park. Moreover, the high winds that are common on the lake make the park a premier destination for windsurfers. So if you're interested in trying these pulse-pounding activities, you're in luck.
Monck Provincial Park offers excellent bird watching opportunities for RV campers in spring and in fall. Visitors are treated to beautiful birds that are commonly found in the park, not to mention the bear and deer sightings that are common in the park in the fall.
Swimming is a very popular activity at Monck Provincial Park on the sandy beach which has marker buoys that show the designated swimming area. At the beach are two change houses for campers and swimmers to switch into their swimming gear before taking a dip in the lake. Due to the sharp graduation of the beach at the shore into deep water, all swimmers are advised to use caution in the lake.
Monck Provincial Park offers RV campers opportunities to enjoy canoeing and kayaking on Nicola Lake. The lake is prone to frequent sudden windstorms, so small boats are susceptible to danger on the lake. Hence, while canoeing and kayaking on the lake, RV campers are advised to exercise caution while paddling and stay as close to shore as possible.
Monck Provincial Park features 26 species of fish in Nicola Lake, which always prompts RV campers to visit the park with their fishing gear and tackle. The most common fish species in the lake are rainbow trout and kokanee, and Monck Provincial Park offers amazing opportunities to enjoy angling for these species in the park. A valid British Columbia fishing license is required to fish in Monck Provincial Park.
Monck Provincial Park features a 5 km (3 mile) self-guided hiking trail which loops around the park along which RV campers will find interpretive signs and features. In addition, there is a 1.3 km (0.8 mile) trail which offers moderate to difficult hiking experience for hikers along steep paths. RV campers can also enjoy riding their bicycles along the paved roads and designated trails for biking where they can explore the entire extent of the park and its beautiful features.
