Skihist Provincial Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Its situation on the shore of Thompson River makes Skihist Provincial Park a place to enjoy several fun water activities while on RV holiday. Not only will you be able to catch a variety of fish species, but you’ll also be able to paddle your own canoe and kayak on the river, take part in river rafting, or simply just explore the river.
Located along Trans Canada Highway 1, 6 km (4 miles) east of Lytton, accessing the park either by RV, trailer, or any other motorized vehicle is easy. The park’s road is very busy and is used by bikers/cyclists, hikers, roller-blading enthusiasts, skateboarders, and drivers.
There are 58 campsites in Skihist Provincial Park, 54 of which are available for RVs and trailers. All the campsites are available on first-come first-served basis only and feature picnic tables and fire pits. RV length limit within the park’s campground is 32 ft. Park facilities include wheelchair accessible flush toilets and washrooms as well as garbage and wood stations.
Looking to have fun at the park? You can have your pick of the various recreational activities available. You can choose to take a hike on the park’s trails or angle in Thompson River. If wildlife and bird viewing interests you, there are plenty of opportunities for such in the park. There are many more fun things to do at the park.
Skihist Provincial Park was established in 1956.
RV Rentals in Skihist Provincial Park
Transportation
Driving
Skihist Provincial Park is located 6 km (4 miles) east of Lytton, along Trans Canada Highway 1. Being a simple drive-in park, this park is easy to access by RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles. The roads within the park are usually very busy, and so all road users are advised to be careful and yield to slower modes of travel. The speed limit within the park is 20 km/h (12 mph). The use of unlicensed all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and dirt bikes is not permitted on the park roads.
Parking
A designated parking lot is available in Skihist Provincial Park for rigs and vehicles, so parking on the side of the road is prohibited. Campers who do not wish to use the parking lot can park their rigs on the gravel portion of their campsites. Overnight parking is available to RV campers in the park.
Public Transportation
There are no direct public transportation services to Skihist Provincial Park.
Campgrounds and parking in Skihist Provincial Park
Campsites in Skihist Provincial Park
First-come first-served
Skihist Campground
Skihist Campground features 58 pet-friendly campsites that accommodate RVs and tents. 54 campsites in the campground are RV-accessible, while four are designated tent-only. There are no RV hookup options available in the campground, however amenities such as pit toilets, toilet buildings, garbage stations, and a sani-station are available. Water taps are also distributed around the campground.
The campground can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 32 ft in length, and all the campsites are available on first-come first-served basis only.
Seasonal activities in Skihist Provincial Park
In-Season
Hiking
There is a trailhead at the campground that offers access to about 8 km (5 miles) of hiking trails for RV campers to enjoy casual strolls and scenic views. As you hike the trail, you will get magnificent views of the mountains and canyons as well as the wildlife in the park. One important thing to note is that there are no water sources on the trails in the park, so you should carry lots of water when you hike the trails in hot climates. Some of the trails can take up to three hours of hiking time.
Fishing
Whether you are an avid angler or just a regular lover of fishing, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to have fun on Thompson River in Skihist Provincial Park. Popular for its abundant variety of fish species, there is no shortage of angling opportunities in the river. You will be able to catch trout, salmon, and steelhead in the river at various points along Highway 1 in the park. Experienced anglers may also find dolly varden and mountain whitefish in the river. Regardless of your skills, remember that you must possess an appropriate license to fish at the park.
Wildlife Viewing
Exciting wildlife viewing opportunities are available at Skihist Provincial Park for RV campers and visitors. If you decide to hike the trail that leads to Gladwin Lookout in the park, there is a very good chance that you’ll see goats on the opposite hillside. Within the local area too, herds of elks are frequently seen. Look out for bears and California big horn sheep too. If you see bears in the park, ensure you make your presence known by making sounds/noise. To prevent incidents of attack, ensure you carry bear spray with you.
Off-Season
Birding
Many bird species occur in Skihist Provincial Park for the viewing pleasure of RV campers and visitors. A comprehensive list of the birds in the park is available to all campers in the park against which they can cross-check their own sightings. Some of the common birds in the park are chickadee, hummingbird and owls. If you want to get the best view of these birds, you should watch out for them around the campground and the day use area.
Cycling
Cycling is a popular recreational activity among RV campers at Skihist Provincial Park. Although the activity is only allowed on designated trails and on the roads in the park, cyclists still get to cover large ground within the park and see most of the features within the park. Cycling in some parts of the part is more difficult than others, particularly at the campground which is located on a hill slope. All riders in the park are mandated to wear bicycle helmets when cycling in the park.
Picnicking
Bring your meals and enjoy them at Skihist Provincial Park’s well-equipped picnic area located on the north side of the highway, just across from the campground. The picnic/day use area features 12 picnic tables set within a large grassy setting, with ponderosa pines offering lots of shade. Other amenities at the picnic area include flush toilets, a pit toilet, and a water fountain. If you wish to take your pet on a walk after your meal, there is an area beside the picnic area designated for such.
