Okanagan. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.
Visit responsibly
Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:
Maps and location
- Park map [PDF](April 10, 2018)
- Nature trail map [PDF]
- Brochure [PDF]
Any maps provided on this page are for information only. They may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
Getting there
Bear Creek Park is on Westside Road, nine kilometres off Highway 97, west of Kelowna. From Highway 97, travelling south, leave the city of Kelowna, cross the floating bridge, travel two kilometres, turn west onto Westside Road at the main intersection, and follow for seven kilometres. The entrance to the park is just past the bridge over Lambly (Bear) Creek. The closest communities, towns, and cities are Kelowna, Westbank, and small housing developments on Westside Road.
Things to do
At Bear Creek Park, gentle trails take hikers along the creek as it passes through the campground. For those seeking a more demanding hike the Bear Creek Canyon trail offers spectacular views of the creek and the surrounding area.
For your own safety and preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Taking shortcuts destroys plant life and soil structure.
The Bear Creek Canyon Trail
Allow one hour to hike this route.
The trail leaves the parking lot and makes a loop of the canyon. Hikers can cross the creek on a footbridge to the north side of the canyon and begin their ascent of the slope. A sturdy staircase of milled lumber makes the climb a little easier and reduces impact on the plant life and soil structure. A viewpoint after the first flight of stairs offers a place to rest and look down at the creek.
The wide, hard-packed trail continues up the rim of the canyon with two more viewpoints perched on the edge of the canyon wall and hemmed in by chainlink fence. The view of the creek, as it meanders through the steep-walled canyon forming various ripples and small waterfalls, is fantastic. Gradually the trail levels out and then begins a descent to the creek. A pit toilet is located here. The trail follows the creek for a short distance before crossing to the south side.
The canyon forms a microclimate with noticeably different vegetation on the two sides of the creek. The slope on the north is dry with Ponderosa pine and bunches of grass while the cooler south side has Douglas fir and carpets of moss, evidence of more moisture and shade.
The Canyon Trail was affected by a wildfire in 2011. Wildfires have produced many hazards in the area. You should be aware of these hazards and the increased risk of injury prior to entering the area. The hazards include unstable trees, holes, and loose rock. The hazards have been reduced along the main trail system and campground areas. Travel off the main trail system has an increased level of risk.
Over 400m of coarse, sandy beach stretches the length of the campground from the day-use area to the creek. There are pebbles on the beach but no big rocks in the water. The beach is narrow and the swimming area is marked with buoys.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Canoes and kayaks are welcome. A private company on site offers people-powered water toy rentals from Wednesday to Sunday starting June 21.
Various freshwater fish are available in Okanagan Lake. For information about freshwater fishing, including regulations, restrictions, and limits, please check the BC freshwater fishing regulations synopsis.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Find fun summer outdoor learning experiences with Discover Parks Ambassadors here all summer long. For specific dates, along with many more seasonal and year-round activities, visit discoverparks.ca.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has a fun, hands-on, Learn to Fish Program that will teach basic angling skills to youth under 16 years old. Contact the park operator for information.
There are excellent views of the canyon and lake from the Bear Creek Canyon Trail. Cottonwoods along the creek and delta provide habitat for a variety of birds, creating birdwatching opportunities.
Domestic animals must be leashed at all times and they 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 the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.
Cycling is allowed only on roadways in Bear Creek Park. There are no mountain biking trails within the park.
In particular, bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within the park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy is for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Okanagan Lake provides many waterskiing and jetskiing opportunities. Jetski and boat rentals are available at Lake Okanagan Resort, 10 minutes north of the park on Westside Road.
About this park
Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir proliferate in the dry, rocky hills above the canyon. Balsam root and prickly pear cactus compete for the area’s meager rainfall. The canyon floor below is home to maple and birch, Saskatoon and buffalo berry, wild rose, horsetail, and mosses. Flowers, trees, and shrubs are part of the park’s natural heritage.
When visiting Bear Creek Park, please do not damage or remove flowers, trees and shrubs.
Wildlife abounds, from the swallows and hawks that swoop through the canyon to the owls and coyotes that enliven the night. Noisy tree frogs can be heard in the spring and crickets are active in the summer.
Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife. For more information, see the wildlife safety page.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.
Contact
| Reservations, changes, and cancellations | Our call centre is open from 7 am to 7 pm Pacific Time. There is a $5 fee for reservations, changes, or cancellations made by phone.
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| Park operator | This park is operated by Kaloya Contracting Ltd. Please specify the park name when sending or leaving a message. |
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
