A view of North Thompson and Thompson Rivers from a lookout point at Kenna Cartwright Park in Kamloops, taken June 20, 2022.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Ian Matthews

Right smack dab in the middle of Kamloops is a beautiful 800-hectare municipal wilderness park. 

Surrounded by highways, roads and residential areas, this giant gem may go unnoticed to people driving through the Tournament Capital.

Kenna Cartwright Park is a forested park with 40 kilometres of multi-level trails going through it that sits on Mount Dufferin.

READ MORE: iN PHOTOS: Some of B.C.’s best balancing rocks are in the Thompson-Okanagan

Most local residents and tourists will not have any difficulty finding something to enjoy while visiting the park, as its design caters to a wide variety of outdoor enthusiasts from hikers and bikers to slowpokers, photographers and picnickers.

A small cabin made of branches on a trail at Kenna Cartwright Park in Kamloops, taken June 20, 2022.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Ian Matthews

There are a variety of trail ratings to choose from using maps at the trail heads and signs at the trail junctions, but note there are no extreme rated trails in the park for the adrenalin junkies.

You can check out the map at the trail heads to choose trails to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the city, rivers and lake.

READ MORE: Explore these quiet, quaint ponds to get away from Kelowna's busy tourist season

More gradual climbs meander through shaded areas in the Ponderosa Pine and Douglas fir forests lined with a variety of plants and wildflowers.

Dogs are allowed to join in the fresh air fun off-leash as long as they are kept under control. There are a few picnic areas scattered throughout the park and a washroom located at the main trail head.

You will want to bring lots of water, sunscreen and proper footwear with you.

The park was established in 1996 and named after former Kamloops mayor, Kenna Cartwright. She was the first female mayor of Kamloops and an advocate for nature conservation.

The main trailhead is located at 2000 Hillside Drive. Follow Hillside Drive past Copperhead Drive to a large, gravel parking lot.

The Pacific Way trail head can be accessed by following Hillside Drive and turning right onto Pacific Way. Follow the signs.

To find the Bunker Road access follow McGill Road to Bunker Road and follow Bunker Road to a parking area. Follow the posted signs.

All parking is free.

View over Kamloops en route to a lookout point at Kenna Cartwright Park in Kamloops, taken June 20, 2022.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Ian Matthews

To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2022