• Attention Horse Riders - Please use only weed-free pelleted feed for horses or purchase hay from the Empire Ranch headquarters, since import of weeds is a major concern in the Protected Area.

Special Notes:

• Churn Creek Protected Area offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, mountain biking and nature appreciation. Here is more information on horseback riding and ethics at Churn Creek. Low impact, dispersed, non-motorized outdoor recreation that does not detract from the values of the area is permitted, but recreation will be managed to protect the natural ecological integrity of the area. ATVs and motorcycles are prohibited, and trucks and cars must stay on existing roads only. Driving on the grasslands is strictly prohibited.
• Hunting is permitted at Churn Creek during the allotted season. Please consult and obey the British Columbia Hunting Regulations.
• Churn Creek Protected Area supports an operating ranch; watch for cattle and leave gates as you find them, either open or closed.
• Keep off the hayfields in the Empire Valley Ranch area, even when travelling on foot. Driving over the hayfields is an offence. Do not trespass on private in-holdings within the Protected Area.
• Weeds: Bunchgrass communities provide excellent feed and cover for wildlife. However, non-native weed species can invade grasslands, particularly following a disturbance, and can severely degrade habitat values. Weeds such as cheatgrass can rapidly dominate large areas. Cheatgrass gets a "head start" by growing through the winter when bunchgrasses are dormant. Once established, its roots capture available water when bunchgrasses most need it in spring. Other noxious weeds to be aware of at Churn Creek are burdock, hound’s tongue, leafy spurge and blueweed. Knapweed is also beginning to appear in the Churn Creek area.
• To help prevent the spread of weeds, check that your vehicle, bicycle, horse, and pets are clean of vegetation fragments before you leave home. Many weeds stick to pant legs and other clothing. Check clothing before entering the Protected Area to prevent the spread of weeds. Use only processed feed (pelleted) for horses, or purchase directly from the Empire Valley Ranch Headquarters.

Management Planning:

• Approved Management Plan
• The Churn Creek Management Plan has been prepared by BC Parks with the direct involvement of local First Nations and a local Advisory Group to guide management of the Protected Area. The area is managed for its nationally significant grassland conservation values, while the Empire Valley Ranch continues to operate at historic levels. Recreation includes access for hunting, horseback riding, and hiking, including a trail system to various scenic areas and a staging area for horseback riders.

• Location Map

The Churn Creek Protected Area is situated approximately 60 km southeast of Williams Lake on the western bank of the Fraser River, south of the Gang Ranch. From Williams Lake, it is approximately a 2 hour drive. Churn Creek is a remote area with difficult access, involving several hours' driving on rough clay and gravel roads, which become dangerously slick when wet.
The easiest route from the Williams Lake area is to drive up Highway 20 approximately 3 km and turn left onto Dog Creek Road. Continue on this road until you reach Dog Creek Valley, then follow signs for Gang Ranch, which will take you across the Fraser River Bridge. At the next intersection, take the left turn onto Empire Valley Road.

From the south, drive north on Highway 97 from Clinton; follow signs to Big Bar Lake Park. Turn right at the next T-intersection after the park. This leads you through Canoe Creek village and on to the Fraser River Bridge. Go left, as above.

NTS 1:50,000 topographic maps of the area include: 920/8, 920/10, 920/9, and 920/7.

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

• Location Map
• Park Map (231 KB PDF)
• Brochure (64 KB PDF)
Brochure Park Map - black & white (375 KB PDF)

• Wood ticks are a particular concern in grasslands between March and June.
• Churn Creek is a remote area with difficult access. The drive is long, so ensure that you bring sufficient fuel.
• Drive on open roads in the Churn Creek Protected Area at your own risk. They can become very slippery after any amount of rain, and washouts may occur. Avoid driving when roads are wet unless you are equipped with a four-wheel drive, shovel, and chains. Check road map for closures. Obey existing road closures.
• There is very little water at Churn Creek. Bring your own; don't rely on purifying surface water.

Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

Reservations are not accepted at this park, all campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis. For parks that accept reservations or information on the reservation service, click here.

Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

	This protected area offers vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis - campsite reservations are not accepted. The park and camping areas are open year round. The best location for camping is the calving barn area on Empire Valley Road. The only development (other than corrals and the barn) is a pit toilet - there are no defined sites, picnic tables or fire rings. Do not camp in the Empire Valley Ranch Headquarters area, this is a working ranch. Vehicle access camping is also permitted on safe pullouts on open roads, except along the Empire Valley Road. Please use areas that have been used previously by others so your impact is minimized. Do not drive over the grasslands to access camping. The closest store is in Dog Creek, which is approximately a 45 minute drive away.
	Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
	There are no group campsites.
	There is a day-use parking area with some area information and a pit toilet at the entrance to the Empire Valley Ranch Headquarters. It is far less developed than a typical picnic area.
	There are no wheelchair facilities available.
	There is very little water at Churn Creek. Bring your own; don't rely on purifying surface water.
	This park only has pit toilets, no flush toilets. Pit toilets are located at the calving barn and near the Empire Valley Ranch Headquarters.
	There are no shower facilities at this Protected Area..
	There are no sani-station/dump facilities.
	Campfires are permitted however, no firewood is provided. If you must have a fire in this dry, warm ecosystem, be sure to extinguish the fire fully. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.
	There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
	There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.
	Hiking is permitted on existing cow trails and old roads. Trails are unmarked and unmaintained. For your own safety and preservation of the park, obey posted signs and stay on the trail. Shortcutting destroys plant life and soil structure, particularly in the grasslands where the soil is only protected by the thin and delicate lichen crust.
	This park does not have a playground.
	Swimming is not available at this Protected Area.
	There are no canoeing, kayaking or boating opportunities.
	No boat launch is available.
	While some streams and creeks support fish (mainly suckers), Churn Creek cannot be considered a fishing destination. The kettle lakes in the area do not support sport fish. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
	The terrain is suited to exploration by mountain bike, but you must stay on existing roads and trails. Do not be tempted to venture over grassland areas, as you can cause long-term damage to the lichen crust. Moreover, your tires can develop leaks from the spines of the tiny prickly pear cactus plants. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
	Horseback riding is very popular at Churn Creek. Horses must stay on trails and roads. The calving barn area with corrals and ample parking is suggested as a staging area for horses. Attention Horse Riders - Please use only weed-free pelleted feed for horses or purchase hay from the Empire Ranch headquarters, since import of weeds is a major concern in the Protected Area. Here is more information on horseback riding and ethics at Churn Creek.
	If you must bring your dog to Churn Creek it must be under control at all times. It is illegal to allow your dog to harass livestock or wildlife. You are responsible for its behaviour and must dispose of its excrement.
	No wildlife viewing opportunities.
	There are opportunities to cross country ski and snowshoe in the park, however, there are no set trails for these activities. There is a defined snowmobile access route through the park. Refer to the above Churn Creek park map that shows the snowmobile route marked.
	No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.
	No windsurfing opportunities.
	No waterskiing opportunities.
	This protected area is open to hunting and horses can be brought in for hunting. Please refer to the Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information.
	No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.
	No spelunking or caving opportunities.
	There are no lodges, cabins or yurts available to the public. There are some buildings approved by park use permit, for the permittee to use for their ranching operation. For public use, there is a "Calving Barn" with corrals and ample parking where people can use as a staging area for their horses, as well as hunters and hikers.