Canada Day at Banana Island on S. Thompson River

It was a gathering of family and friends on the beautiful sunny day to celebrate July 1. The flags were there as were several hats and garments with the maple leaf brightening up the beach.

Our grandson models his hat

There are a few locations along the shore of this small island so that we were able to have a private location to ourselves and others were doing the same on the other side.

Early evening sun shines down on Banana Island

 Banana Island is located east of Kamloops, B.C. on the S. Thompson River. It is a small provincial park, the only amenity is an outdoor toilet but that is a welcome sight when one spends the day here.

                                      The island offers some pretty views across the river. 

                                                                      A Kekuli
There are several kekuli, pronounced kickwillie, on Banana Island. They are the remains of an undergound house or storage built by First Nations people. This example would have been for storage, but there are some larger ones that would have been a family home.

Peaceful South Thompson River

Boat crosses the South Thompson River over to Banana Island

Trains and boats are a common sight from the shores of the S. Thompson River, Kamloops, B.C.

Happy Canada Day

South Thompson River island in Summer - Kamloops, B.C., Canada

If you’re RV'ing in the Kamloops, B.C. area this summer, try to visit our local parks on the South Thompson River. Riverside Park and Pioneer Park both have facilities to make a summer day at the beach great fun and are very close to the downtown area.

Nearby RV parks are Kamloops Rv Park next to the BC Wildlife Park, east of town and the Knutsford RV Campground, south of Kamloops, B.C., Canada.

Riverside Park in downtown Kamloops, B.C., Canada

If you have access to a boat, there is even more to enjoy in Kamloops. There is a boat launch at Pioneer Park, which gives you access to the Thompson rivers.

One sunny summer day we joined our son and his family to boat up the South Thompson river. We launched the boat at a private launch in Monte Creek, 15 minutes east of Kamloops, B.C., then headed east. The river has very little boat traffic from this point and is a beautiful trip. We stopped to watch a bald headed eagle peering down at us from his roost on a barren branch then carried on cruising up the river on a Sunday afternoon!!

South Thompson River

We eventually stopped at a beach on Banana Island, the only island between Kamloops and the Shuswap lakes. This very little island rarely has any visitors and those that do come, like to enjoy the private beach. It island is a government park but there are not any camping facilities and access is by boat only. Signs of wildlife can be found at times. The island also marks a great fishing location accessible right beside Highway 1, where many fisherman can be seen trying to catch that big Chinook salmon in the fall.

We were joined by our daughter-in-law’s family in their boat and we all had a picnic and played in the sand for the afternoon. We watched the rain clouds circle around us but we seemed to be in a private little paradise and didn’t have one raindrop find us. The wind would come up at times but it chased the rain in another direction and we were thankful for that. I did get this picture during a very quiet time that shows the calmness that the river can appear to have.

By the time we were ready to boat home, the wind had returned and made for a bumpy ride. It was a fun ride due to the plenty of giggles from our grandson, hiding under the blanket to keep dry from the spray when we hit the waves. But we were thankful to get home safely, the end of a wonderful family day.

Steelhead Provincial Park - Kamloops Lake - Thompson River

At the southwest end of Kamloops Lake at the head of the Thompson River sits a very unique provincial park. The park, established in 1995 is the site of one of the oldest homesteads in the southern interior, a stagecoach depot and ferry landing. The historic buildings and cemetery are all located on the site. The buildings have not been preserved to be suitable for any use but are protected from unwelcome four legged visitors by a fence, which also prevents the two legged visitors from entering, as well.

              A double rainbow shows Savona as being the Pot of Gold at the end of the rainbow.
Overnite camping with 44 campsites is available at this popular destination camp for visitors wishing to go boating or fish on Kamloops Lake or the river. The park offers 240 meters (approx. 263 yds) along the beach and 1000 meters (approx. 1093 yds) of frontage along the river. Savona, with small town amenities is close by. There are clean shower and toilet facilities and a playground. There are water and power hookups as well and pets are fine on leash. Someone will come around daily to collect the cash only fees. It is open for business from May 1 into October.

A doorway from the Past looking at a gathering of Today.

We spent some time there with several friends celebrating a birthday on Thanksgiving weekend and our group was the only one there. It was a bit windy at times but still warm and perfect for a family reunion or gathering. The water is low at that time of year and the big beach along the lake has white sand and driftwood decorating the area. Signs of visiting kids dot the beach, with some ‘forts’ built from gathered driftwood that likely gave them hours of play, perhaps not much different than the kids of many years ago when the stagecoaches stopped here.

The day was also great for taking pictures, with the bonus of a beautiful double rainbow to enjoy. Pictures are a wonderful reminder of the places we visit, but I always wish I had taken more, we may have to take another trip out there soon.   Steelhead Provincial Park located 40 km (24 mi) west of Kamloops, on Highway 1 at Savona, B.C., Canada