

Columbia Lake Provincial Park
About This Park
Columbia Lake Provincial Park is used in summer by windsurfers, paddlers (canoeists and kayakers), and motorized water craft. The 2,758 hectare lake is the largest warm water lake (18°C in July) in the East Kootenay.
Approximately 3 km of undeveloped beach area allows for non-consumptive recreation opportunities (wildlife viewing, paddling, nature appreciation). Fishing on Columbia Lake is popular year-round (favoured sport fish are mountain whitefish, burbot, kokanee, rainbow trout, bull trout and cutthroat trout). The wetland/marsh component of the park offers excellent opportunities for nature appreciation, viewing and photography. The upland areas are largely pristine and provide a panorama of exceptional scenic value, particularly east towards the Rocky Mountains. Hiking and mountain biking are also common in the upper grasslands on derelict logging roads and along the park access road.
Established Date: January 7, 1988
Park Size: 290 hectares
Special Features
- The park provides one of the few good public access points on Columbia Lake.
- The undeveloped, pristine lakeside setting offers recreation opportunities without high volumes of people. Alternative locations on Columbia Lake (such as Tilley Memorial Park) possess a high level of facility infrastructure and lack the undisturbed natural shoreline/upland characteristics evident at Columbia Lake Provincial Park.
- The park is an excellent staging area for hiking and biking opportunities along the entire east side of Columbia Lake.
- Currently, frontcountry parks, such as Columbia Lake Provincial Park represent less than 1% of the land area in the Columbia Valley.
- Sport fishing on Columbia Lake is a popular year-round activity.
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A well-developed, 400 M long hiking / biking trail allows access to the lakeshore.
Know Before You Go
Stay Safe
- Bring your own drinking water; potable water is not available in the park.
Special Notes
- The park does not have a boat launch; there is a boat launch at Canal Flats.
- This park is user-maintained.
Location and Maps
Columbia Lake Provincial Park is located in the Columbia Valley of south eastern British Columbia approximately 2 km south of Fairmont Hot Springs and 3 km east of Hwy 93/95. The 257 hectare park lies on the eastern shore of Columbia Lake.
Access: Turn off Hwy 93/95 at the Fairmont Creek Road (across from the Riverside Gold Resort). Travel east for 0.4 km. Turn right on the Columbia River Road. The park is located 1.6 km south along this gravel road.
Nature and Culture
Management Planning
Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Cycling

Fishing

Hiking

Pets on Leash

Swimming

Wildlife Viewing

Windsurfing
Facilities Available at this Park

Accessibility
Some facilities and hiking trails in the park are wheelchair-accessible. There is no wheelchair access to the water.
