Say goodbye to off-roading in the Lac du Bois grasslands near Kamloops

KAMLOOPS – Off-roaders who frequent the Lac du Bois area near Kamloops will need to find a new place to ride in September.

The Ministry of Natural Resource Operations is restricting the use of motorized recreational vehicles in Lac du Bois/Batchelor and Lower Noble Creek areas.

Starting Sept. 1, the areas will be closed year-round to off-road vehicles, the province says in a media release.

"The closures will prevent further damage to the grasslands, such as soil disturbance and introduction of invasive weed species and restore grassland ecosystems," the release states.

The province is hoping the new restrictions will help the areas near the Thompson River remain a popular tourist destination.

Camping isn't allowed in the closed areas and the province is encouraging people to use designated campgrounds at provincial recreation sites or B.C. parks.

The closure does not apply to snowmobiles once there is at least 0.5 metres of snow, First Nations people pursuing traditional harvest rights and non-recreational users who have agreements with the province.

The province is also introducing new areas where off-roading vehicles will be allowed starting Sept. 1. The areas include Upper Noble Creek and Lafarge.

Off-roading will still be allowed in the 450 hectare Lac du Bois off-road vehicle area and the 130 kilometres of trails in the Duffy-Greenstone area southwest of Kamloops.

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