A campfire ban is currently in effect for this park. For more information about campfire bans and about provincial parks with park closures and campfire bans in effect, visit the BC Parks campfire ban webpage.
Park Info
Kekuli Bay Provincial Park is located off Highway 97, 11 km. south of
Vernon. The park is situated on a beautiful bay on the west side of
Kalamalka Lake, a destination for waterskiing and boating. A newly
developed campground has been added to the area which formerly consisted
only of a boat launch. Many young shade trees were
planted and the grassy areas between the sites are beautifully landscaped.
The young trees planted 10 years ago have
begun to mature and provide shade and privacy around the sites, especially
on the upper loops. There are irrigated grassy areas between the
sites full of beautiful trees and shrubs including rose bushes that
are in full bloom during the spring. All campsites offer great
views of Kalamalka Lake and offer the warmth of the sun in the spring
and fall.
Park Size: 57 ha
Special Notes:
Please be aware that an active train track separates the
campground from beach and boat launch area. Use caution going
to beach and boat launch areas. There is still limited shade in
the campground, although lake breezes cool the campground in the
evening. As
a result of this Kekuli Bay is becoming on of the most sought
after parks in the region as many visitors are discovering the
picturesque, tranquil spring and fall months where they can enjoy
the manicured grounds and view while soaking in the warm Okanagan
sun.
Campground Hours of Operation
All dates are subject to change without notice
Opening and Closing Campground Dates:
(campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.)
April 1 – October 31 (The gate at the park boundary is open until the years first snow fall and then closed until April 1.)
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:
April 1 - October 31
Campground Reservable Dates:
May 16 - September 6
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:
70
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable:
(all remaining sites are first-come, first-served)
49
Note: The above information is for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor Notice" above for park alerts.
11 km. south of Vernon, off Highway #97; park is on west side of Kalamalka Lake. The park boundary is 2 km from the Hwy 97 turnoff and the campground is 1 km beyond that. The highway turnoff is well signed.
Nature & Culture
History - Established as a park on March 9, 1990.
Cultural Heritage - The park name "kekuli" was chosen from submissions by local school students who participated in a name-the-park contest. Kekuli refers to semi-subterranean homes built by Interior Salish natives. There is evidence of kekuli pits, and other First Nations use in the park.
Conservation - The grasslands surrounding the campground provide habitat for field mice and other food sources for raptors like the red listed Prairie falcon. There is a nest platform north of the playground visible on the drive into the park. Also found in the park is the blue listed Western rattlesnake and two red listed plants, Bluebunch wheatgrass and Black cottonwood.
For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.
Campsite Reservations: Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available. Seventy (70) % of the campsites are reserveable and thirty (30) % of campsites are first-come, first served.
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Fishing
Please obey all posted speed and vessel restrictions. Daily kokanee quota is 2. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hiking
There are 2.6 km of gravel walking trails through the grasslands around the campground. The terrain is gently sloped. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
Pets on Leash
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.
Swimming
There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. The swimming area is rocky, use caution due to proximity to active train track and boat launch.
Waterskiing
Kekuli Bay is a boater's
destination. Kalamalka is a very popular lake for waterskiing. The
boat launch was heavily used even before the creation of the campground and
day-use areas.
Wildlife Viewing
The whole campground
has fantastic views of Kalamalka Lake. There are benches located by the
playground that also overlook the lake. In addition, there are some bird
watching opportunities, especially in the spring and fall.
Facilities Available At This Park
Boat Launch
Day-use Area Vehicle Parking Fee:
$1.00 per vehicle / hour to a maximum of $3.00 per vehicle per/day. For information about yearly parking passes, or further information about parking fees,
click here.
The boat launch is located on a rocky point and is open until the first snowfall.
The ramp is double-lane concrete that gets deep fairly quickly. There is
also a wharf. There are mooring buoys in the bay beyond the boat launch.
Access is across the active CN railway line. There are two large parking
lots. There are two pit toilets
by the parking area. Please note that on weekends during the summer parking
is at a premium.
Campfires
While campfires are
allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage
visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use
of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park
for $6 a bundle or you may bring your own wood. Limited burning hours or
campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover,
please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere
in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood
is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic
matter to the soil.
Drinking Water
Cold water taps are located throughout the park next to the flush toilets. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
Picnic Areas
A day-use/picnic facility is located just off the boat launch parking area. The large, open lawn area overlooks the lake and the boat launch. There are four picnic tables on cement pads, two with BBQ attachments, and one freestanding BBQ. The lawn is level and surrounds an adventure playground. There is no shade.
Day-use Area Vehicle Parking Fee:
$1.00 per vehicle / hour to a maximum of $3.00 per vehicle per/day. For information about yearly parking passes, or further information about parking fees,
click here.
Pit or Flush Toilets
The park has mostly
flush toilets; however, there are also a couple of pit toilets located throughout
the park.
Playground
This park has a playground area surrounded by irrigated grass and features a plastic, multi-level playground with two slides, climbing poles, and a small obstacle course, among other features.
Showers
There are warm showers
at this park. The shower building has a men's and a women's side. Each
side has two sinks with nearby plug-ins, one toilet, and two shower stalls
with small change areas. There is one payphoneat the shower building;
it is lit by a small streetlamp.
Vehicle Accessible Camping
This park offers vehicle accessible campsites including 4 large double sites. The campsites are arranged in three terraced loops to give all sites an unobstructed view of the lake. The sites have large gravel pads great for big RVs. Irrigated lawn landscaped with young trees and a variety of shrubs separates the sites. There is natural vegetation between the different terraces.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $24.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$12.00 per senior's couple/night
Wheelchair Access
The shower building in this park has a separate wheelchair accessible shower stall complete with a seat and a showerhead/hose that detaches from the wall for easier use. The lockable room also has a toilet. The toilet across from site 67 is also wheelchair accessible.
