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Kettle
River
Kettle River Provincial Park is located in the Boundary Region of
south central British Columbia 7.5 km (4.7 miles) north of the small
community of Rock
Creek and 7 km (4.4 miles) south of Westbridge
on Hwy 33.
Travelling
Here
If you are coming from Kelowna,
take Hwy 33 and travel south by around 130 km (81 miles) to reach
the park gates. Travelling on Hwy 3, Rock Creek is about 52 km (32.5
miles) east of Osoyoos
and 72 km (45 miles) west of Grand
Forks.
Park
Highlights
The park highlights of Kettle River Provincial Park include a swimming
hole on the Kettle River located near the day-use area. The
Kettle River Provincial Park is also situated on the historic Kettle
Valley Railway (KVR) right-of-way, now part of the Trans-Canada
Trail. The campground serves as a good destination point for people
travelling the KVR, coming from either Midway
or Beaverdell.
Campground
The campground at Kettle River Provincial Park features 87 vehicle-accessible
campsites, 45 of these reservable; most sites are quite large with
plenty of open spaces available intermixed by Ponderosa Pines and
bunchgrass growing in the area. The campground is fairly wide open
making it attractive for people with small children.
Facilities
The facilities found at the Kettle River campground include well-spaced-out
sites, drinking water from taps found throughout (boiling is advised)
and a combination of both flush and pit-style toilets. There is
a large group campsite available suitable for up to ten vehicles,
if required.
Swimming
Hole
Kettle River Provincial Park has a very nice swimming hole a short
distance from the campground. The natural pools are located on both
the east and west banks of the Kettle River featuring white sandy
beaches on both sides of the river. In certain places, the water
is also quite shallow making it very safe for small children to
play on the beach and in the water. The swimming hole is very popular
in the summer for people starting here and inner tubing down the
Kettle River to Rock Creek.
Walking
Trails
Also found at the park are walking trails that meander along the
river and join up with the Trans-Canada Trail. The Trans-Canada
Trail crosses the Kettle River near the swimming hole by using an
old railway trestle which, at one time, served the Kettle Valley
Railway. There is evidence on the east side of the river bank of
a number of abandoned silver and gold mines that were prevalent
in the area during the early 1900's.
Nearest
Services at Rock Creek
For supplies or services, you can travel into the community of Rock
Creek where there are Ultra Fuels and Petro-Canada service stations,
gift stores, the Prospector Pub and the Gold Pan Café. The
Petro-Canada also has groceries and a liquor store, if required.
Rock Creek is also close to the small settlement of Kettle Valley
where you can find a 9-hole golf course called the Kettle Valley
Golf Club and the Kettle River RV Park which is conveniently across
from the golf course on Hwy 3.
Adventure
Riding
If you happen to like exploring by quads or adventure riding on
dual-purpose motorcycles, try taking a loop trip from Hwy 33 up
to the Rhone
Valley through Conkle Lake Provincial Park by forest service
roads and back out on Hwy 3 near Bridesville.
Along the route there are beautiful views of the natural geography
of the southern climate found in the Boundary Region.
Reservations
During the summer and on long weekends the campground at Kettle
River Provincial Park fills up fast. In order not to be disappointed
reservations for campsites at Kettle River Provincial Park can be
made through Discover Camping.
Being
Safe
If you are walking through the bush, be prepared for Poison Ivy
growing in the underbrush. The mine shafts, if discovered while
exploring, are in unstable and dilapidated condition and must not
be entered for safety reasons. Also, remember with small children,
the river current, depending on water levels, could be swift and
dangerous, especially near the deeper pools found on the Kettle
River. Bears and other wildlife are known to visit the area, be
prepared especially along the trails.
BC
Parks
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