North Thompson Access

The North Thompson River is a gorgeous part of our region with great history, scenery, and ecological importance. There are shockingly few proper public access points to launch a canoe and kayak though, or to simply stroll along the beach and take it all in. This is frustrating and unfortunate because the potential for recreational and tourism based activities here are endless. Even the larger towns along the North Thompson including Barriere and Clearwater don't have public parks along the river with easy access to the water for recreational users.

Hefley Creek Ball Park- Tournament Capital Ranch

• Priority for improvement: Moderate
• Best Feature: Interesting shoreline with unique natural and human made features
• Special Concerns: There is quite a bit of barb wire in the area.

NOTE: The City of Kamloops has agreed to make improvement to beach access here!

• Parking: Fair
• Access to Water: Fair
• Signage: Poor

McLure Ferry

• Priority for improvement: High
• Best Feature: Some parking and room to develop this as better access point
• Special Concerns: The shoreline is steep and or rough here and it is generally undeveloped as a recreational destination
• Parking: Poor
• Access to Water: Fair
• Signage: Fair

Town of Barriere

• Priority for improvement: High
• Best Feature: Access to a fantastic section of moderate moving water downstream
• Special Concerns: There is currently an informal launch under the hwy 5 bridge on the west side of the river.
• Parking: Poor
• Access to Water: Fair
• Signage: Poor

Town of Little Fort

• Priority for improvement: High
• Best Feature: Access to a great section of moderate moving water
• Special Concerns: There is currently only minimal public access here at the Little Fort Ferry Site
• Parking: Fair
• Access to Water: Fair
• Signage: Poor

Town of Clearwater

• Priority for improvement: High
• Best Feature: Access to a fantastic section of moderate moving water downstream
• Special Concerns: Despite the Thompson River Provincial Park, Access is challenging
• Parking: Good
• Access to Water: Poor
• Signage: Good

Various North Thompson Right of ways

(Dairy Road for example)

• Priority for improvement: Moderate
• Best Feature: There are a number of neglected public right of ways to the water
• Special Concerns: These access points are often rough and unusable for various reasons and poor signage makes them difficult to locate
• Parking: Poor
• Access to Water: Poor
• Signage: Poor