Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park

Skaha route closure: A great horned owl with 2 chicks is nesting immediately to the north of Priapism. Priapism, Replicant and Little Blue Pill will be closed until the owls have fledged, likely 2-3 weeks. BC Parks will be monitoring the nest activity frequently.

Know Before You Go

Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
Campfires and camping are not permitted.
Road access is closed seasonally, approximately from November 15 to March 1

About This Park

Skaha Bluffs Park provides a variety of recreation opportunities including hiking, rockclimbing and wildlife viewing while also protecting habitat for a variety of species at risk. World-class climbing opportunities are found at Skaha Bluffs though it is important to note that climbing is prohibited at the Skaha Conservation Area to the south. The distinctive terrain features of the bluffs along with the Gillies Creek corridor reflect extremely threatened riparian and grassland plant communities.

Park Size: 178 hectares

Stay Safe:

Rock climbing involves risk and should only be attempted by properly equipped and experienced climbers. Access trails may be steep and rocky and may expose users to cliffs or steep drop-offs. Use caution.
Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
Campfires and camping are not permitted.

Park Open/Closing dates: March 1 - November 15 (approx - 2011)

Location and Maps

Location Map

Skaha Bluffs is south of Penticton on the east side of Skaha Lake. Access is from Lakeside Road to Smythe Road up along Gillies Creek.

Please note that road access is closed seasonally, approximately from October 31 to March 1.

Maps and Brochures

Nature and Culture

History: Recreational climbing has been occuring in the area since the 1980s.
Culture: Skaha Bluffs lies within the asserted territory of the Okanagan Nation Alliance, with the closest geographical member band of the ONA being the Penticton Indian Band. The greater land area holds tremendous spiritual and cultural significance to the Okanagan Nation.
Conservation and Wildlife: The landscape consists of a variety of distinctive terrain features, which function together to provide habitat for many provincially or federally listed species at risk, including Bighorn Sheep, Fringed and Small-footed Myotis, Night Snake, and Western Screech Owl. Other notable species include Clark's Nutcracker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Red Squirrel, Pacific Chorus Frog, White-throated Swift, Canyon wren and Western Rattlesnake.
- Rugged terrain (i.e., cliffs, crevices, outcroppings and talus) and the grasslands that occur on the shallow-soiled terraces, provide a variety of habitat types. These habitat types include escape terrain, nesting/roosting habitat, travel corridors and foraging areas.
- Grassland benches in the western portion of the proposed park are remnant examples of this habitat type. The majority of these terraces outside of the proposed park along the east side of the Okanagan basin have been impacted by agricultural and residential development. The vegetation is in good condition with far fewer invasive plants than is typical for this site series throughout its range in BC.
- The park retains critical Bighorn Sheep ram range, and is a keystone segment of the north-south migration corridor.
- The park is bordered to the south by the Skaha Conservation Area (a privately owned conservation land currently managed by BC Parks). This land is intended to be added to the park in the future.

Management Planning

An Interim Management Statement (IMS) has been prepared for both the newly established Skaha Bluffs Park and the conservation partner owned property referred to as the Skaha Conservation Area. The IMS was drafted before Skaha Bluffs Park (Crown land area) was legally designated; however the interim document serves as approved management direction for the site(s) until a full management plan can be prepared.

Approved Interim Management Direction Statement

Activities Available at this Park

Climbing

Climbing is not permitted on Skaha Conservation Area.

Cycling

Mountain biking restricted to designated trails. Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Hiking

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.

Trails used to access climbing routes may be difficult and expose users to steep drop-offs and rocky terrain. Use caution.

Horseback Riding

Horse use is limited to designated trails.

Hunting

Please use caution in this high recreation use area.

Pets on Leash

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.

Wildlife Viewing

The area contains essential habitat for Bighorn sheep. Please keep your distance from Bighorn sheep as they can be very territorial and sensitive to human presence.