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Activities Available at this Park
Facilities Available at this Park
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Visitor Information

Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park

Know Before You Go

  • As of April 15, 2013 - Gillies Creek road/double track has washed out roughly 700m up from the gate near the Ward 1 single track junction. The area is passable on foot, please use caution.
  • 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 in the southern area (the section of the park that encompasses Gillies Creek).

The distinctive terrain features of the bluffs along with the Gillies Creek corridor reflect extremely threatened riparian and grassland plant communities.

Park Size: 489 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 (approximately)
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Location and Maps

Please note: Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation. 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 November 15 to March 1.

Maps and Brochures

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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 B.C. 
    • The park retains critical bighorn sheep ram range, and is a keystone segment of the north-south migration corridor.
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Management Planning

Management Planning Information

An Interim Management Statement (IMS) has been prepared for the newly established Skaha Bluffs Park. 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.
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Activities Available at this Park

Climbing / Rapelling

Climbing

Climbing is only permitted in the northern section of the park. Climbing is not permitted in the southern section (the area of the park that encompasses Gillies Creek).
Cycling

Cycling

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

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

Horseback Riding

Horse use is limited to designated trails.
Hunting

Hunting

Please use caution in this high recreation use area.
Pets on Leash

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

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.
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Facilities Available at this Park

Picnic Areas

Picnic Areas

Pit toilets are located at the parking lots. There is a gate on the access road that is open from 7am to dusk.
Pit or Flush Toilets

Pit or Flush Toilets

This park only has pit toilets - no flush toilets.
Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair Access

Some facilities in the park are wheelchair accessible