Kamloops, British Columbia, is a premier destination for off-road motorcycling in Canada. With over 400 kilometres of single-track trails, diverse terrains, and a robust riding community, it offers an unparalleled experience for riders of all skill levels.
Duffy Lake / Greenstone Mountain
The Duffy Lake and Greenstone Mountain area boasts 132 km of signed, designated trails, catering to beginners and seasoned riders. Approximately 80% of the trails are rated easy to moderate, with the remaining offering technical challenges. The area connects to the Chuwhels/Inks Lake riding zones, creating an expansive 80 km loop.
Access: From Kamloops, take Hwy 1 to Greenstone Rd. Follow Greenstone Rd for approximately 2.5 km to Duffy Lake FSR.
Inks Lake / Chuwhels Mountain
Adjacent to Duffy Lake, Inks Lake and Chuhwels Mountain offer a range of beginner-friendly and advanced trails. Inks Lake features dry, rolling single-track trails, while Chuwhels is known for its technical terrain, including the infamous "Pro Zone."
Access: Drive south on Highway #5 (Coquihalla Highway) past the turnoff of Highway #1 until you see an exit for INKS LAKE (Exit 355). Follow the paved exit for 700 metres until you reach a stop sign. Turn right and follow the gravel road over a cattle guard and 300 metres to the main parking area on the right.
Lac du Bois Grasslands
The Lac du Bois Grasslands are unique in British Columbia, offering a semi-wilderness grassland experience next to a major urban center. The area is used for outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, rangeland research, and educational activities. Off-road use is concentrated in a designated "Play Area" to mitigate damage to sensitive rangeland. This area is extremely popular in the spring as it is one of the first to become snow-free.
Access: Located 2 km up the Lac Du Bois Road.
Lafarge ORV Area
The Lafarge ORV area has been used for over 30 years for recreational off-road vehicle use. This area has had unrestricted use and is very popular in the early season (springtime) as it is at a low elevation and the snow melts off very early. It is a small area with 20–25 km of trails. The area was logged in 2011, which has exposed it to more licensed vehicles and four-wheel ORV traffic. The areas that weren't logged have had a full die-off of Ponderosa Pine, which has impeded the use of the old trails and has consequently created a more braided trail network. There has been a significant blowdown on these trail networks.
Access: Approximately 20 minutes east of Kamloops along Highway 1, accessed via the Barnhartvale Road just past the Eagle Point Golf Course. Take the next left past the golf course and travel approximately 0.5 km to the staging areas.
Noble Lake
The Noble Lake area offers approximately 70 km of trails, with 10–15% on old skid trails and logging roads. Many of these trails are grown in with understory and are primarily accessible by two-wheel vehicles due to terrain limitations for four-wheel ORVs. Some dual-use is noted within the Noble Lake and lower areas within the agriculture lease lands, which are more open.
Access: Approximately 20–30 minutes north/northwest of Kamloops along the Westsyde Road. Access is via the Noble Lake Forest Service Road. Travel approximately 0.5 km on the Noble Lake FSR to a historical staging area. The Noble staging area is approximately 6 km on the Noble Creek FSR.
Greater Kamloops Motorcycle Association (GKMA)
The GKMA manages and maintains over 400 km of single-track trails at multiple locations around Kamloops. They also contract with Recreation Sites and Trails BC to manage and maintain the Duffy Lake Recreation Site, a premier, dirt bike-friendly, 52-site campground.
The GKMA organizes various events, including the Chuwhels Challenge and the Duffy Lake Ladies Ride & Campout. They also host regular ride nights and maintain a calendar of events for riders.
Conclusion
Kamloops offers a diverse and extensive network of trails for motorbiking enthusiasts. Whether you're a beginner looking for easy trails or an experienced rider seeking challenging terrains, Kamloops has something to offer. Always respect the land, stay on designated trails, and support local organizations like the GKMA to ensure these trails remain open and well-maintained for future riders.
