• Mushroom picking or harvesting is prohibited in provincial parks.

Special Notes:

• Dogs are not permitted in Vaseux Protected Area. Their presence can disturb the California bighorn sheep that depend on the area for survival.
• The extremely hot, dry Okanagan climate can result in overexposure to the sun. Visitors should use a sunscreen and wear a hat during long periods in the sun. Hikers are reminded to bring plenty of water since there is none available in the park and to consider scheduling their activities to avoid the heat of the day.
• The value of the park lies in its rare wildlife. Tread lightly wherever you go. Use only established trails to help minimize disturbance and prevent the spread of unwanted plant species.

Special Notes:

Management Planning:

• Approved Management Direction Statement (375 kb pdf).

Vaseux Protected Area comprises two sites. This description is only intended to give a general location and does not represent legal boundaries. The first site protects Vaseux Creek and extends up the sides of the valley. The second site is smaller and protects the bluffs above Vaseux Lake Provincial Park bounded roughly by Irrigation Creek to the south and Shuttleworth Creek to the north.

Access is via Okanagan Falls. Take Maple St. to the Weyerhauser 201 access road. At the stop sign, turn right onto the Okanagan Falls Forest Service Road. Cross cattle guards at 6 km and 12 km. Turn right at 12.5 km onto 200 Road. At 13km turn right onto Dutton Creek Road. Stay straight past fenced forestry enclosures then veer left. The access roads are active logging roads use caution.

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

• Location Map

• History - Vaseux Protected Area was established on April 18, 2001 as a result of the Okanagan-Shuswap LRMP process.
  
• Cultural Heritage - The Vaseux Area has some of the most diverse and abundant intact archaeological sites in the Okanagan. Among them are: rock shelters, shell middens, cache pits, drying rocks, quarry sites and burial sites. These sites are of immense value and any disturbance of them is strictly prohibited.
  
• Conservation - The primary role of the protected area is to protect low to mid elevation grasslands that provide critically important winter range for California bighorn sheep. Old-growth larch stands provide important habitat for White-headed woodpecker and Williamson's sapsucker. Red and blue-listed plants in the area include Mousetail and Bearded sedge. Douglas-fir-Ponderosa Pine/Idaho fescue is a blue-listed plant community.
  
• Wildlife - California Bighorn Sheep are a focal species in the area. However, there are many other rare and endangered species being protected. There are two red and seven blue-listed mammals (including the Pallid bat and the Western red bat), 11 red and nine blue-listed bird species (including the White-headed woodpecker) and one red and five blue-listed reptile species (including the Night snake).

This is a wilderness area that provides habitat for a variety of snakes, including rattlesnakes. This is no reason to avoid the area, just remember to wear heavy pants and high boots and avoid putting hands and feet into crevices that you can't see into. People who encounter rattlesnakes along trails should detour around them and go on their way. Rattlesnakes will not chase after people and cannot strike beyond the length of their body.

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

No camping at this park.

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

	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.
	There are 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.
	There are no developed trails at this park.
	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.
	There are no fishing opportunities at this park.
	Cycling is not permitted.
	No horses and/or horseback riding.
	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.
	There are wildlife viewing opportunities. McIntyre Canyon and Vaseux Creek are great viewing opportunities. The bighorn sheep are a delight to watch.
	No winter recreation opportunities.
	No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.
	No windsurfing opportunities.
	No waterskiing opportunities.
	The protected area is open to hunting. For more details, see the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations synopsis. Horses are permitted. Off-road vehicles are not.
	No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.
	No spelunking or caving opportunities.
	No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.