Directions
Three easy ways in
Leighton Lake sits inside Tunkwa Provincial Park on the Thompson Plateau. Whichever way you come, the last stretch is the Tunkwa Lake Road — paved, scenic, and shared with the occasional range cow.
From Logan Lake
Head north on Meadow Creek Road / Tunkwa Lake Road and follow the signs to the park. About 20 minutes.
From Savona
Leave Highway 1 at Savona and climb the Tunkwa Lake Road south onto the plateau. About 30 minutes.
From Kamloops
Take Highway 1 west to Savona, or Highway 5 south toward Logan Lake — both routes land you at the park in under an hour.
When to Come
Season & timing
The main camping season runs roughly mid-May through late September, when the park operator is on site and services (firewood, water pumps, fee collection) are running. The park itself is open year-round for day trips, ice fishing, and winter wandering — just come self-sufficient outside the main season.
- Ice-off (late April–May): prime fishing, cool nights, quiet campgrounds.
- July–August: warm days, busy weekends — arrive early for a site.
- September–October: golden grasslands, active fish, elbow room.
- Winter: ice fishing and silence. Check conditions and road reports first.
Know Before You Go
Pack smart for the plateau
- Weather turns fast at 1,140 m. Pack warm layers and rain gear even in July — and expect chilly nights.
- Cell service is spotty. Download offline maps and tell someone your plans.
- Water comes from hand pumps at the Leighton and Leighton North campgrounds — check for boil-water advisories, and carry backup water for day trips.
- Buy your fishing licence in town — online works, but not reliably from the lake.
- Check conditions before you leave: wildfire status & fire bans and DriveBC road reports.
- Cash for firewood and fees is never a bad idea on the plateau.
- Pack out what you pack in. Garbage service is limited — leave no trace.
Contact & Official Info
Who to talk to
Leighton Lake is within a provincial park, so the authoritative source for fees, closures, advisories, and park rules is BC Parks. The park operator manages the campgrounds on site during the season.
Official park information
BC Parks — Tunkwa Park · current fees, dates, advisories, and closures.
The campgrounds are run by park operator Shuswap Adams Parks Ltd. · campbc.ca · [email protected]
About this website
leightonlake.ca is a community fan site made to share the lake we love. Questions, photo submissions, or corrections? Email [email protected].