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Special Notes:

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

• Approved Management Directive Statements are now available for Chopaka East, Chopaka West, Kilpoola and Mt. Kobau Sites.

Special Notes:

Access to the sites is via Hwy 3 and Kruger Mountain Road, 9 km west of Osoyoos. 9 km west of Osoyoos and 11 km southwest of Oliver.

The four sites that make up the South Okanagan Grasslands are in the Richter Pass 9 km west of Osoyoos on Hwy 3. They are separated by both crown and private land. The Mt. Kobau site is at mid to high elevation and roughly bounded by Tinhorn Creek in the northeast, Cawston Creek in the northwest and Hwy 3 in the south. Chopaka West is centered on Little Chopaka Mountain and roughly bounded by the Similkameen River, Nighthawk Road and the international border. Chopaka East encompasses Black Mountain from Richter Lake to the international border. The Kilpoola Lake valley separates Chopaka East from the Kilpoola site, which encompasses Kruger Mountain. These locations are very general, the boundaries between protected area and private land are irregular.

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

• Location Map

• History - The South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area was established on April 18, 2001 as a result of the Okanagan-Shuswap LRMP process.
  
  
• Cultural Heritage - There is a long history of First Nations use near Spotted Lake. Mining was common throughout the grasslands of Kilpoola and Chopaka East near the international border and on Mt. Kobau. The Dewdney Trail passes through the northern portion of Chopaka West.
  
  
• Conservation - Chopaka East protects four red-listed plants and is one of the best known sites for rare dry ground lichens (cryptogams) with several species new to science. Almost all Canadian observations of the rare Lyall's Mariposa lily occur within the site.
  
  Kilpoola protects three red-listed plants and one blue-listed plant as well as the Big sagebrush-bluebunch wheatgrass plant community. Blue Lake has unusual water chemistry and high salinity with significant growth of rare anaerobic purple sulphur bacteria and an extreme temperature gradient with depth that prevents mixing. A mosaic of open forest, burned areas, grassland, deciduous and wetland habitats is present here.
  
  Mt. Kobau protects rare terrestrial lichens, including species new to Canada and new to science. It contains Bighorn sheep range and Class 1 Mule deer winter range and provides an excellent example of mid and high elevation climax grassland/sagebrush communities. Of special note are the red-listed Vasey's Big Sagebrush and Big Sage/Bluebunch wheatgrass-balsamroot plant communities.
  
  
• Wildlife - Chopaka East contains six red and six blue-listed wildlife species. The feature birds are the Sage thrasher and the Grasshopper sparrow.
  
  Chopaka West contains 11 red and nine blue-listed wildife species. Two of these red-listed species which have been observed in or adjacent to the park (Pygmy short-horned lizard and White-tailed jackrabbit) are now thought to be extirpated in the Province. The feature bird is the Sage thrasher. Chopaka West is the only place in the province that they regularly breed.
  
  Kilpoola contains eight red and seventeen blue-listed wildlife species. The feature bird is the Grasshopper sparrow.
  
  Mt. Kobau contains one red and three blue-listed wildlife species. The feature bird is the Brewer's sparrow.

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

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	No vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
	No wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping.
	No group campsites.
	No day-use or picnic facilities.
	There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
	Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
	No toilets.
	No showers.
	No sani-station/dump facilities.
	Campfires are not permitted.
	There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
	There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.
	The protected area has no developed trails. There are opportunities for hiking on the old roads that traverse the sites. Coulee Road passes over Black Mountain. There are various 4-wheel drive trails leading up Kruger Mountain. Parking space is limited. Mt. Kobau- Testalinden Trail. The trail begins at the parking area atop the mountain. It is a 5 km loop around the summit that passes through mixed sub-alpine forest and open grasslands. The trail provides interesting landscape diversity and excellent views of the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys and the Cascade Mountains.
	This park does not have a playground.
	No swimming.
	There are no opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
	This park does not have a boat launch.
	Kilpoola Lake is stocked with rainbow trout from the Summerland Trout Hatchery. It is a small lake with no facilities. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
	Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia. Cycling is permitted. Recreational mountain biking is allowed on designated roadways only.
	Horses and/or horseback riding are permitted.
	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.
	The fire lookout atop Mt. Kobau gives visitors a panorama of the Okanagan Valley, Osoyoos Lake and the Similkameen Valley. The views are breathtaking and well worth the short hike to the lookout. The summit of Mt. Kobau is considered one of the best places in Canada for astronomy. The annual Star Party attracts enthusiasts from throughout the Pacific Northwest
	No winter recreation opportunities.
	No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.
	No windsurfing opportunities.
	No waterskiing opportunities.
	South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area is open to the discharge of firearms, bows and crossbows during the lawful game hunting season as listed in the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations synopsis. Horses are permitted, motor vehicles are not
	No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.
	No spelunking or caving opportunities.
	No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.