Vaseux Lake Provincial Park
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- The South Okanagan/Penticton Region Health Department has issued a year-round 'boil water' advisory.
- Mushroom picking or harvesting is prohibited in provincial parks.
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Park Info
This park provides preserves an abundant wildlife population. The lake provides promising fishing opportunities for large mouth bass, rainbow trout and carp. In winter there are great opportunities for skating, ice-fishing, and ice-boating. Excellent wildlife viewing area by Highway 97 between Oliver and Okanagan Falls. Best viewing in spring and fall. Look for mountain goats, California big horn sheep and a wide variety of bird species. Trails provide access to the nearby Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada Waterfowl Sanctuary.
Special Features: National waterfowl sanctuary, bluffs that form California bighorn sheep habitat.
Park Size: 12 hectares
| Campground Hours of Operation
All dates are subject to change without notice |
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| Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.) |
Open year round, depending on the weather |
| Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: | April 1 – Oct 13, 2009 approx |
| Campground Reservable Dates: | Not applicable |
| Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: | 12 |
| 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. | |
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Location
About 25 km south of Penticton on Hwy 97. The closest communities are Okanagan Falls and Oliver.
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Nature & Culture
- Conservation - The park protects 10 red listed plant ecosystems the cover the whole spectrum from desert to wetland. These are: Antelope brush, Big sage, Bluebunch wheatgrass, Water birch, Balsamroot, Pinegrass, Threetip sagebrush, Red osier dogwood, Idaho fescue and Marsilea.
- Wildlife - There is an astounding number of rare wildlife species in this small park. There are seven blue and two red listed mammals known in the park, including California bighorn sheep, badger and Pallid bat. The park is a birder’s paradise with 11 red listed species and 9 blue listed species present. Five blue listed reptiles are found in the park, as well as the red listed Night snake, which is the rarest snake in Canada. Common waterfowl are Canada geese, trumpeter swans, blue-winged teal, widgeons and wood ducks. Lazuli bunting are spotted in the spring – sharing the area with toads, turtles, beavers, muskrats, rabbits and deer.
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Contact Info
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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Activities Available At This Park
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Canoeing | |
Vaseux Lake is perfect for canoeing and kayaking due to its relatively small size and vast amount of shoreline bird habitat.
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Cycling | |
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
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Fishing | |
The lake provides promising fishing opportunities for large mouth bass,
rainbow trout and carp. The two Vaseux "Lagoons" on the west side of Okanagan
River above McIntyre dam are included in the April 1- June 30 spring closure. Anyone
fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate
licence.
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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.
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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.
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Swimming | |
There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. There are over a
thousand square meters of beach extending the length of the entire campground
and along the lakeshore to the Wildlife Center in a narrow band of coarse
sand and grass.
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Wildlife Viewing | |
There are viewing platforms in the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada Waterfowl Sanctuary just north of the campground. The platforms are at ground level along the boardwalk overlooking openings in the thick rushes. They are equipped with benches for bird watching and taking in the beautiful scenery. There is an enclosed two-storey viewing platform at the end of the boardwalk, also for bird watching. It affords a protected vantage point for viewing the variety of waterfowl on the lake. Though outside the park, the boardwalk and viewing platform are commonly used by park visitors since the gravel parking area is within the park boundary. The Vaseux Lake area is managed cooperatively by the Ministry of Environment and the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada along with the Nature Trust of British Columbia for its immense wildlife values.
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Winter Recreation | |
Ice skating is possible on Vaseux Lake.
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Facilities Available At This Park
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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.
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Drinking Water | |
A hand pump is available in the park. The South Okanagan/Penticton Region Health Department has issued a year-round 'boil water' advisory.
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Picnic Areas | |
This park has a day-use/picnic area located off the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada Waterfowl Sanctuary parking lot. There are two pit toilets visible from the gravel parking lot. The two picnic tables are down a short path to the lake in a small grassy area surrounded by thick shrubs. There is an information kiosk here with facts about the wildlife in the area.
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Pit or Flush Toilets | |
This park has four pit toilets - no flush toilets.
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Vehicle Accessible Camping | |
This park offers 12 vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis - campsite reservations are not accepted. The operator maintains the park from
March 30- Oct 17 approx. Campers can self-register and place their fee in the self-registration vault by the information shelter if no staff are present. Most of the campsites are right on the lake. They are large with gravel pads and are fairly private. Open grassy areas separate some of the sites. There is no phone in the park and the nearest services are in Okanagan Falls.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$7.50 per senior's couple/night
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Wheelchair Access | |
One of the pit toilets is wheelchair accessible. The road in the campground is paved and fairly flat.
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