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.
The edges around the lakes and ponds may be muddy and difficult to traverse. Children could become stuck in the mud.
Park Info
Wide open spaces, great fishing, wildlife, old west history and a quieter camping spot can all be yours in less than a 90 minute drive from the central Okanagan. Located in the heart of cattle country, the rolling grasslands and dry open forest surround the sparkling turquoise waters of Kentucky Lake and Alleyne Lake. The scenery is spectacular from early April to late October with springs' palette of soft pastels slowly changing to the vibrant golds of autumn.
Once known only by local fishers and their friends, the park is being discovered as a weekend destination from the coast and from the Okanagan. The Coquihalla and the Hwy 97C Connector have made the access easier to these beautiful fishing lakes.
This is also an excellent spot for small mammals and large bird species.
Park Size: 144 hectares
Special Notes:
Quiet Hours - are 10 pm to 7 am. Music, generators, etc. must be shut off completely between these hours.
Hibachis and Campstoves - can burn the picnic tables. Please do not use them on the tables.
Valuables - when left unattended or at night, should be stored out of sight and locked up at all times. Please report all thefts to the park staff as soon as possible.
Traffic Safety - The speed limit within the park is 20 km/hour or less.
Motorcycles and Bicycles - are permitted on park roads only. Motorcycles must be properly licenced and must be operated by a licenced driver only. Helmets must be worn. Unlicenced ATV's or dirt bikes are not permitted.
Parking - is prohibited on the side of the road. Please park on the gravelled portion of your campsite or in designated parking spaces.
Pets - must be on leash (no longer than 2 metres) at all times while in the park. They are not allowed on beaches or in day use areas. Owners must clean up after their pets.
Consumption of Alcohol - is prohibited except in your campsite.
Stay Safe:
Roadways can be very busy. Whether you are walking, cycling, roller-blading, skateboarding or driving, please be careful. Always yield to the slowest mode of travel; e.g., cyclists yield to walkers. Obey all traffic regulations and rules of the road.
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.)
Kentucky Lake Gate opens:
May 15, 2009
Gate Closes: September 30, 2009
Off-season - No water, garbage collection, firewood, or fees. One pit toilet open at campsite #41 - user maintained..
Roadside campsites can be accessed off Bates Road; gate to group campsites at north end of Alleyne Lake is always closed/controlled.
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:
May 15 to September 30, 2009
Campground Reservable Dates:
Not applicable
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:
58
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable:
(all remaining sites are first-come, first-served)
Not applicable
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.
The park is located 38 km south of Merritt or 11 km south of Aspen Grove, just off Hwy 5A. From the east, the park is 11 km. from Coquihalla Highway 97C on paved access. The closest communities, towns and cities are Aspen Grove, Merritt, Princeton and Elkhart Lodge.
Nature & Culture
History - The park was established 5 March 1981 and is set in the heart of British Columbia's cattle country. Surrounding the park is land belonging to the Douglas Lake Ranch, Canada's largest cattle ranch with a rich, 115 year history.
Conservation - Several kettle lakes, eskers and fluvial outwash deposits are solid evidence of the glacial activity that formed the landscape. Rolling grasslands and dry open forest with some large, mature Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine surround the sparkling turquoise waters of Kentucky Lake and Alleyne Lake. The scenery is spectacular from early April to late October with springs' palette of soft pastels slowly changing to the vibrant golds of autumn.
Wildlife - The lakes and ponds draw a variety of waterfowl such as goldeneye, mallards, teal, and grebe. A variety of hawks and falcons can often be seen aflight searching the grasslands for a meal. The blue-listed sharptail grouse as well as jack rabbits and ground squirrels can be found under cover in the stands of aspen and scrub juniper.
Individual campsite reservations are not accepted at this park, all campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Group Camp/Picnic Reservations:
The park has a group campsite that accepts reservations for groups with 10 parties or more. Here is more information on the group campsite and/or group picnic site reservations for this park.
Contact Info
B/L Parks Contracting Ltd.
E-mail address: blparks@hughes.net
Park information: 1.250.378.5334 (May to September)
Please specify PARK NAME when sending or leaving a message.
For Employment & Camp Host opportunities, please e-mail to address shown above.
Activities Available At This Park
Canoeing
There are paddling, canoeing and kayaking opportunities at this park.
Cycling
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia
Fishing
This area is very popular for fishing and even features a 'children only' fishery to foster interest in the sport among youth. The ponds between Kentucky Lake and Alleyne Lake are open only to those under the age of 16. The lakes and ponds are stocked with rainbow trout from the Summerland Trout Hatchery. Depending on temperatures, there are ice fishing opportunities in the park. Access may be difficult depending on road conditions. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hiking
A four km walking trail circling Kentucky Lake provides viewing and access to the lakeshore where the swimming is great. The trail is well-defined, 2-3 foot wide hardpacked dirt. It is an easy walk with minimal elevation change that takes one hour. It follows the lakeshore through large Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine trees. At the south end of the lake, a spur trail leads 20m to another small quiet pond. The other trails in the park serve only to link the various camping loops. 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.Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Swimming
Although you can swim here, the clean turquoise water is cold and there are no buoys to designate a swimming area. There are no beaches and most of the lakeshore by the campgrounds is a natural marsh with lots of rushes. Though it makes for poor swimming, the area is good for waterfowl. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Winter Recreation
Depending on temperatures, there are ice fishing opportunities in the park. Access may be difficult depending on road conditions. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Facilities Available At This Park
Boat Launch
The small gravel boat launch on Kentucky Lake is accessed by a single lane gravel road past site 4. There is a small wooden dock and a turn-around area with no parking. Another small gravel boat launch is found on Alleyne Lake between sites 53 and 54. They are best suited to small, light boats. There is a horsepower restriction.
Campfires
Firewood can be purchased from the Park Facility Operator in some parks or you can bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. You may pre-pay for firewood with your campsite self registration. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented and some parks may use communal fire rings. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.
Please ensure that all barbeques or campstoves are used on the ground and not set on picnic tables.
Drinking Water
There are water taps located throughout the campgrounds and one hand-pump at the Group Campsite.
Group Camping
The group site is located on the north end of Alleyne Lake accessed via a narrow 2.5 km gravel road. The group site requires a minimum booking of ten parties. There are picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets, potable water and the site is located lakeside for good fishing and boating opportunities. Here is more information on how to reserve a group campsite.
Pit or Flush Toilets
This park has 11 pit toilets conveniently located throughout the various campground loops. There are no flush toilets.
Vehicle Accessible Camping
This park offers 58 vehicle accessible campsites including five double, eight pull-through and one group camp site. The group campsite is located at the north end of Alleyne Lake. The campground is quite spread out and divided between Kentucky Lake, sites 1-31, the West Pond, sites 36-41 and Alleyne Lake with sites 42-58. The sites along Kentucky Lake are spacious and open allowing for lots of sunshine and fantastic views of the lake. Most of the sites are right on the lake. The sites are gravel and have a picnic table on a cement pad and a fire ring.
The sites above the West Pond are also open and situated on a narrow terrace overlooking the water. These sites are pull-through and there is a small turn-around area past the sites to make entering and leaving easier.
There is a combination of sites on Alleyne Lake. The access road winds down a terrace accessing multiple of levels of sites. Some are right on the lake while others overlook it. Most of the sites are open, separated by natural grasses, with great views and lots of sunshine. One small loop of four sites is located amidst the Douglas fir forest.
Campsites on the West Pond and Alleyne Lake are open year round. Services are available mid May to October annually. The gate to Kentucky Lake is closed annually after the Canadian Thanksgiving. All sites are first-come, first-served and,campsite reservations are not accepted. During the camping season, overnight visitors can now pay at the campground with a self registration system - cash only accepted. Deposit cash in the envelope (change will be provided when attendant arrives if you do not have correct amount), fill out the information and place in the vault provided at the information kiosk. Please detach the receipt portion and attach to the campsite number post. You may also pre-pay firewood with your campsite self registration. There are no phones in the park and the closest store is at the Elkhart Lodge on the Coquihalla Connector or in Merritt, 38 km north of the park.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder
Season only): $7.50 per senior's couple/night
