Wasa Lake Provincial Park
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Park Info
A family vacation destination since the 1950’s, Wasa Lake village advertises the warmest swimming lake in the Kootenays. Wasa Lake Park offers camping, swimming, hiking, cycling, boating and nature viewing opportunities. There is an 8 km wheelchair and bike accessible trail around the lakeshore and a 2.7 km self-guided interpretation trail.
World class attractions such as Fort Steele Heritage town, guest ranches, ski hills and golf courses are nearby. In addition to being a popular recreation spot, the park protects a representative grassland ecosystem. It includes a portion of North America’s most northern ponderosa pine forest set amid blue bunch wheatgrass meadows that provide habitat for a wide diversity of animals and plants.
Park Size: 144 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.) |
May 1 – September 15 Gate is closed during the off-season. |
| Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: | May 1 – September 15 |
| Campground Reservable Dates: | May 11 – September 3 |
| Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: | 104 |
| Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
55 |
| Note: The Park is open year round unless inaccessible due to weather conditions, especially during the off-season. If the park or campground are closed for other reasons, information is noted in the Attention Visitor Notice at the top of this page. | |
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General Visitor Information
- Mountain and lake weather can change rapidly, be prepared. Visitors should be aware that high winds can come up quickly.
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Location
Located in south eastern British Columbia, 40 km north of Cranbrook or 102 km south of Radium Hot Springs and 1 km east of Highway 93/95. The closest communities are Kimberley located 35 north west and Cranbrook located 40 south of Wasa Lake.
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Nature & Culture
- History - Wasa Lake Provincial Park was established in 1955 to provide recreational access to the warmest swimming lake in the Kootenays. The Wasa area was logged by the railway in the early 1900’s and irrigated for years through a ditch and flume system begun in 1915. Later cattle ranching became the agricultural mainstay. Wasa village provides tourist facilities and services.
- Conservation - Wasa Lake Park is situated in the gentle terrain of the widening Rocky Mountain Trench. This 144 hectare park protects a representative area of the most threatened ecosystem type in the world; fire maintained temperate grasslands. Of the seemingly endless ocean of native grasslands that greeted the early settlers to our country, less than 5% remains and only a fraction is protected. These bunchgrass meadows host unique species such as curlews and sharp tailed grouse. During June and July, enjoy a spectacular diversity of wildflowers and birds. Intensive grassland restoration is occurring on two land blocks within this park.
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Management Planning
Management Planning Information
- The Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan for this park is now available in pdf format.
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Map / Brochure
Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
- Map (94kb pdf)
- Lazy Lake Bike Loop Map
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Reservations
For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.
Campsite Reservations:
Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.
Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.
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Activities Available At This Park
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Canoeing | |
Canoeing occurs, however caution must be used due to power boats on the lake.
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Cycling | |
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia. There is an 8 km "Wasa Lions Way" paved path and secondary road trail around the lake that accommodates cyclists and pedestrians. A self guided mountain bike loop takes you from Wasa Lake to Lazy Lake. The Lazy Lake Bike Loop is a 33 kilometre ride which takes you up Wolf Creek Road to Lazy Lake and back to Wasa Lake on Lazy Lake Road. Mountain bikes are recommended for this ride and it is not a ride for children unless they are experienced riders with proven stamina. Unless otherwise noted, keep to the main road. The elevation gain is roughly 300 metres. While experienced bikers in top shape can hammer the loop in under 2 hours it is suggested that most people plan on a day to really enjoy the scenery along the way with a break and maybe a swim at Lazy Lake. If you are considering jumping or diving off the rocks at Lazy Lake - remember the rules for swimming in unfamiliar waters and investigate first! Riders should pack water, high energy food and a repair kit including a hand pump. It is a challenging ride and can be a long walk back to Wasa Lake.
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Fishing | |
Perch and bass fishing are available in this freshwater lake. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
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Hiking | |
Forest of the Rainshadow Self-guided Interpretive Trail is a 2.7 km loop, 1 hour, nature walk for the whole family starting at the amphitheatre located in the campground.
There is an 8 km "Wasa Lions Way" paved path and secondary road trail around the lake that accommodates hikers and cyclists. For your personal safety and the preservation of the Wasa Park grasslands, please obey posted signs and keep to designated trails as shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
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Interpretive Programs | |
There are scheduled interpretive programs during the summer season at this park. Program details are available at information boards in the park.
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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.
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Swimming | |
There are four buoyed swimming access areas in the day use areas of the park. Warm waters and 2000 metres of developed gently sloping beaches provide excellent sunbathing and swimming areas, change rooms, picnic tables and washrooms are provided. There are NO LIFEGUARDS in provincial parks.
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Waterskiing | |
Wasa Lake provides waterskiing opportunities. Waterskiiers are not allowed in the buoyed swimming areas of the lake but a skier's beach is accessed via the Horseshoe day-use areas.
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Windsurfing | |
There are windsurfing opportunities on Wasa Lake.
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Facilities Available At This Park
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Boat Launch | |
A boat launch is located on the east shore across from the campground at Camper's Beach. It consists of a concrete pad capable of launching a large boat.
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Campfires | |
Firewood can be purchased from the Park Facility Operator in some parks or you can bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary.To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please do not gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented and some parks use communal fire rings. Bring a portable stove for cooking.
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Drinking Water | |
Ten cold water taps are located randomly throughout the campground. Each day-use area of the park also has a cold water tap. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
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Picnic Areas | |
This park has four day-use/picnic areas including 45 picnic sites; Camper's Beach located across from the campground has a pit toilet, change house, picnic tables, sandy beach and a grassed area; Horseshoe Beach, located 2 km north of the campground also has picnic tables, sandy beach, grassed area and a flush toilet building. Adjacent is Pete's Beach day use area that has picnic tables, grassed area, a pebbly beach and one pit toilet. At the very north end of the lake is another day use area, Main Beach which has a large sandy beach, grassed area, picnic tables, paved parking, two pit toilets and a swimming dock. Three of the day use areas are open all year.
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Pit or Flush Toilets | |
Pit and flush toilets are located throughout the park. Change houses are located at each day-use area.
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Playground | |
There is an adventure playground located at Campers Beach day use area.
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Sani-Station/Dump | |
A sani-station is located at the north end of the lake on Wasa Lake Park Drive and is available during the operating season.
Sani-station Use Fee: $2.00 per discharge
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Vehicle Accessible Camping | |
Wasa Lake campground is located on the east side of the lake 1 km from Highway 93/95. The campsites accommodate both long recreation vehicles and tents. There are no drive-through sites. Information/interpretive shelters and telephone are located at the entrance to the campground. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $19.00 per party
/ night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder
Season only): $9.50 per senior's couple/night
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Wheelchair Access | |
Wheelchair accessible facilities include the flush toilet building in the campground, amphitheatre, day-use areas and lower of part of the nature trail.
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