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Okanagan Mountain ' Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park
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important info, warnings, alerts for park visitors
general overview of park, size, special features safety, park hazards, wildlife information, health risks
park location, parks nearby, how to get to the park history, cultural heritage, conservation, wildlife
maps of park and/or campground, trails, etc. Management Planning
campsite reservations, group and picnic site reservations images of the park
 

vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping group camping - 15 or more campers picnic, day-use facilities, no camping wheelchair accessiblity drinking water toilets showers sani-stations, sani-dumps firewood, campfires There are no electrical hook-ups in this park interpretive, educational programs
walking, hiking trails playgrounds swimming canoeing, kayaking power boats, boat launch fishing cycling, mountain biking, bicycling horses, horseback riding pets, domestic animals in parks Icon Legend- Green =Available Grey = Unavailable

wildlife viewing
winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating scuba, snorkelling windsurfing waterskiing hunting climbing, rock climbing spelunking, caving cabins, yurts, lodges click on green symbols for more information

 

Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

  • Divide Lake Trail South is closed permanently. Please use Fredrick Creek Trail instead.
  • Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park is now open to the public. At this time, not all fire damaged signage has yet been replaced so we ask visitors to be cautious while walking/hiking in the park. Visitors to the park should pack a trail map with them at all times. If you are not familiar with the park, please view the park map listed below for details.
  • The marine campsites are open and facilities are available in this area of the park.
  • Mushroom picking or harvesting is prohibited in provincial parks.

Park Info:

Above the lakeshore are over 10,000 hectares of rugged landscape with mountain lakes, grasslands and spruce-fir forests accessible only on foot, horseback or bicycle. Trails and rustic campsites are the only facilities in this area of the wilderness. A wonderful setting for hikers - a climb to the top of Okanagan Mountain will lead you to beautiful scenic lake views to the west and the Monashee Mountains to the east.

A boater's paradise, this wilderness park dominates the east side of Okanagan Lake between Kelowna and Penticton. Six marine campgrounds and secluded bays and sheltered sandy beaches tucked into the 33 km of undeveloped shoreline make water exploring a true adventure. Mooring buoys available; horse-loading ramps available in parking lots.

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Park Size: 11,038 hectares

Special Notes:

  • Good, sturdy footwear is essential. Summers are hot in this arid park and hikers should carry water between camping areas. Mountain bikers should carry a map of the park with them at all times.

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

 

Location:

On the east side of Okanagan Lake, just opposite Peachland on Hwy #97. There are no public roads in the park. Access to the south boundary parking lot is through Naramata to Chute Lake Road. It is 6 km of gravel then 1.5 km of very rough road. It is a total of 25 km from Penticton. Access to the north boundary parking is via Lakeshore Road from Kelowna. Follow for 15 km to the parking area. The road continues past the parking lot but is for private land access only with no public parking. Boat, bicycle, horseback or hike only once inside the park boundary.

Map/Brochure:

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

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Nature & Culture:
  • History
  • Conservation

  • Visitor Safety:

    CAUTION
    Wildfires have produced many hazards in the area. Visitors should be aware of these hazards and the increased risk of injury prior to entering the park. The hazards include unstable trees, holes and loose rock. The hazards have been reduced along the main trail system and camping areas. Travel off the main trail system has an increased level of risk. If visitors choose to enter this burnt area, they can reduce their risk by:

    • Remaining on the main trail network
    • Waiting for favourable weather
      • LOWEST RISK= calm conditions with no rain or snowfall
      • HIGHEST RISK= windy conditions with rain or snowfall
    • Traveling quickly to reduce exposure time
    • Spreading groups our to reduce risk of multiple casualties
    • Stopping or camping only in open flat areas at least one tree length from standing trees
    • Travelling carefully since contact with roots or trees may cause a tree to fall
    • Avoiding steep slopes--falling trees and loose rocks may slide downhill
    • Leaving the area or taking shelter if trees are actively falling

    Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

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    Reservations:For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
    group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.

    Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

    Contact Information:

    Kaloya Contracting Ltd.
    E-mail address: mailto:info@campokanagan.com

    Phone: (250) 548-0076
    Please specify PARK NAME when sending/leaving a message.
    For Employment Opportunities, contact Kaloya Contracting Ltd.



    Click here to view a non-government web link, for additional information.

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    vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites

    No vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.

    wilderness, backcountry,  walk-in camping

    Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed at Baker Lake, Divide Lake and Victor Lake in the upland area of the park. The park is open year round with approximately 48 walk-in sites ad boat sites. Camping is also permitted at Buchan Bay, Commando Bay, Goode’s Creek, Van Hyce Beach and Halfway Bay along the lake. Additional camping is allowed at the South parking lot where there are two tables, two fire rings, space for two tents (no tent pads) and a pit toilet. Limited facilities like pit toilets and fire rings are provided at Divide Lake and the marine sites. There is mooring at the bays and at Reluctant Dragon Cove and Van Hyce Beach.
    Backcountry Camping Fee: $5.00 per person / night, for all persons 13 years of age or older

    group camping - 15 or more campers

    No group campsites.

    picnic, day-use facilities,  no camping

    This park is popular amongst Kelowna residents for day-hikes and mountain biking.

    wheelchair accessibility

    There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.

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    drinking water

    Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.

    toilets

    This park only has pit toilets - no flush toilets.

    showers

    No showers.

    sani-stations, sani-dumps

    No sani-station/dump facilities.

    firewood, 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 or you may bring your own wood.Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. 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.

    There are no electrical hook-ups in this park There are no electrical hook-ups in this park
    interpretive,  educational  programs

    There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.

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    walking, hiking trails

    There are a number of hiking trails in this park. Click here for details. 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.

    playgrounds

    This park does not have a playground.
    swimming

    There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. Swimming opportunities are plentiful along the undeveloped shoreline. There are many bays easily accessed by boat.

    canoeing, kayaking

    There are canoeing/kayaking opportunities at this park. Canadian Hydrographic Chart 3052 for Okanagan Lake is available for a fee. Phone (250) 765-3995 in Kelowna and (250) 492-2628 in Penticton.

    power boats, boat launch

    This park does not have a boat launch. The nearest public boat launch is at the Eldorado Hotel in Kelowna.

    fishing

    Norman, Baker and Divide lakes are all stocked with rainbow trout by the Summerland Trout Hatchery. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

    cycling, mountain biking, bicycling

    Mountain biking is becoming quite popular in the park. Carry a tire patch kit and pump since the trail surface is sharp rock in sections. Remember to bring plenty of water and please stay on designated trails. These are multi-use trails, please respect other users and remember to yield to horses. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

    horses, horseback riding

    Horseback riding is permitted at this park. 

    pets, domestic animals in parks 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.
    wildlife viewing

    There are fantastic views from the Rim Trail, the Pinnacles and the viewpoint just west of the south parking lot. The rugged terrain and steep canyons in the park make viewing an option just about anywhere

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    winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating

    No winter recreation opportunities.

    scuba, snorkelling

    No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.

    windsurfing

    No windsurfing opportunities.

    waterskiing

    There are opportunities for waterskiing on Okanagan Lake.

    hunting

    Hunting is permitted only during lawful game hunting season. Check with Hunting and Trapping Synopsis for regulations.

    climbing, rock climbing

    No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.

    spelunking, caving

    No spelunking or caving opportunities.

    cabins, yurts, lodges

    There is an old cabin at Divide Lake that was built before the park was established. They are not to BC Parks standards and are user maintained. Visitors planning on staying in these cabins should be self-sufficient and able to camp outside should the cabin be full. The outhouse located at the Divide Lake cabin has since burned down.

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