Who enjoys trail riding and camping with their horse(s)? We have a new destination thanks to Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC), the Back Country Horsemen of BC (BCHBC), Horse Council BC, the Endurance Riders of BC and a number of businesses that provided terrific in-kind donations. The Kane Valley Equestrian Recreation Site is located between Merritt and Princeton, with access from three directions – off the Coquihalla, off the Okanagan Connector and off Hwy 5A as well … it is near perfect.
There are 13 camp sites with 26 corrals (1 group site for 3 rigs with 6 corrals, 2 double sites with 4 corrals each and 6 single sites with 2 corrals each). Four manure bins make disposal easy – make sure you bring a wheelbarrow and fork! Watering stock is at two different signed locations on the creek between the lakes. The Rec Site is managed by a Host who collects the standard camping fee of $15/rig and $2/corral per night.
The equestrian camping area is gated and signed at both ends recognizing priority for those camping with horses. The camp host will do his best to manage the site; however RSTBC sites are managed on a first-come, first-served basis and if no suitable site is available, others may be allowed to camp in the equestrian area.
2020 has been a challenging year for all in relation to the high demand for campsites resulting from the COVID-19 situation. If you arrive and all sites are full, please see the camp host, he will do his best to accommodate you if at all possible.
The trails are mostly Nicola Valley Nordic Club’s X-country ski trails. All are signed and well mapped. There are a wide variety of trails from valley bottom to high up in some big timber country. Most ride areas have range permits and are used by local ranchers, so we need to be mindful of cattle, gates and do our best to stay on the trails.
This is the second equine recreation site in the Merritt Area (the first being at Lundbom Lake) which BCHBC and RSTBC have worked together on. The area is recognized as being central to so many riders from the lower mainland and the central interior. BCHBC, in constructing the corrals at Kane, provides another great destination to camp and ride or a simple stop over while traveling through. We greatly appreciate the support of RSTBC in consulting with all stakeholders including First Nations and local ranchers, putting funding into place, building the access road, camping pads, outhouses and installing picnic table and fire rings. Tim Bennet and Greg Hodson have been great to work with and many thanks to both which is well deserved.
We had a small crew, but we cannot express enough thankfulness for their commitment and the efforts of all to get the job done. There were members from 7 different chapters: Okanagan, Aldergrove, Shuswap, Yarrow, Princeton (Vermillion Forks), Kamloops and Prince George. Two local residents heard about it and came out 2 days to help. In total we had 28 volunteers over the week that put in 325.5 general labour hours and 212.5 skilled hours. Again many thanks to all!
