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Park Contact
This park proudly operated by:Brandywine Environmental Management Ltd.
parkinquiries@telus.net
250 320-9305
Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park
About This Park
Wide open spaces, great fishing, wildlife, old west history and a quieter camping spot can all be yours in less than a 90 minute drive from the central Okanagan. Located in the heart of cattle country, the rolling grasslands and dry open forest surround the sparkling turquoise waters of Kentucky Lake and Alleyne Lake. The scenery is spectacular from early April to late October with springs’ palette of soft pastels slowly changing to the vibrant golds of autumn.
Once known only by local fishers and their friends, the park is being discovered as a weekend destination from the coast and from the Okanagan. The Coquihalla and the Hwy 97C Connector have made the access easier to these beautiful fishing lakes.
This is also an excellent spot for small mammals and large bird species.
Established Date: March 5, 1981
Park Size: 190 hectares
Know Before You Go
Stay Safe
- Roadways can be very busy. Whether you are walking, cycling, roller-blading, skateboarding or driving, please be careful. Always yield to the slowest mode of travel; e.g., cyclists yield to walkers. Obey all traffic regulations and rules of the road.
- The edges around the lakes and ponds may be muddy and difficult to traverse. At Alleyne Lake especially, the deep mud makes swimming impractical and boat launching difficult. Children (and even adults) could become stuck in the mud.
Special Notes
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Quiet Hours
Quiet Hours are 10 pm to 7 am. Music, generators, etc. must be shut off completely between these hours.
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Hibachis and campstoves
Hibachis and campstoves can burn the picnic tables. Please do not use them on the tables.
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Keep valuables hidden and locked up
Valuables, when left unattended or at night, should be stored out of sight and locked up at all times. Please report all thefts to the park staff as soon as possible.
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Speed limit
For safety, the speed limit within the park is 20 km/hour or less.
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Motorcycles and bicycles
Motorcycles and bicycles are permitted on park roads only. Motorcycles must be properly licenced and must be operated by a licenced driver, only. Helmets must be worn. Unlicenced ATVs or dirt bikes are not permitted.
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Parking
Parking is prohibited on the side of the road. Please park on the gravelled portion of your campsite or in designated parking spaces.
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Pets
Pets must be on leash (no longer than 2 metres) at all times while in the park. They are not allowed on beaches or in day-use areas. Owners must clean up after their pets.
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Consumption of alcohol
Consumption of alcohol is prohibited outside of your campsite.
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Boat restriction
Boats are restricted to 7.5kW (10hp) on both Kentucky Lake and Alleyne Lake.
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Western toad breeding annually in July – early August
The western toad (Anaxyrus boreas), a species listed as Special Concern in Canada and on Schedule 1 of the federal Species at Risk Act, reside in the park. The communal breeding site, in the West Pond between Kentucky Lake and Alleyne Lake, is the starting point of the annual migration for tens of thousands of juvenile toads on their journey into the surrounding forest.
Please respect this short-lived event (usually over a 2-week period) by respecting the temporary trail closure (on a portion of trail around the West Pond), occasional campsite(s) closures (typically sites 1–3), staying away from the toads, and abiding by any toad-specific requests from the park operators and park rangers.
For more information on western toads, please visit the Nicola Naturalist Society website.
Reservations
All campsite reservations must be made through Discover Camping. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first-come, first-served.
Campsite Reservations
Campsite reservations are accepted at this park and first-come, first-served sites are also available.
Group Campsite Reservations
This park has a group campsite that accepts reservations for groups with 10 or more people. All reservations must be made through Discover Camping.
Location and Maps
Please note: Any maps listed are for information only; they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
Please note: Any maps listed are for information only; they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation. The park is located 38 km south of Merritt or 11 km south of Aspen Grove, just off Hwy 5A. From the east, the park is 11 km. from Coquihalla Highway 97C on paved access. The closest communities, towns and cities are Aspen Grove, Merritt, Princeton and Elkhart Lodge.Maps and Brochures
Nature and Culture
- History: The park was established March 5, 1981 and is set in the heart of British Columbia’s cattle country. Surrounding the park is land belonging to the Douglas Lake Ranch, Canada’s largest cattle ranch with a rich, 115 year history.
- Conservation: Several kettle lakes, eskers and fluvial outwash deposits are solid evidence of the glacial activity that formed the landscape. Rolling grasslands and dry open forest with some large, mature Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine surround the sparkling turquoise waters of Kentucky Lake and Alleyne Lake. The scenery is spectacular from early April to late October with springs’ palette of soft pastels slowly changing to the vibrant golds of autumn.
- Wildlife: The lakes and ponds draw a variety of waterfowl such as goldeneye, mallards, teal, and grebe. A variety of hawks and falcons can often be seen aflight searching the grasslands for a meal. The blue-listed sharptail grouse as well as jack rabbits and ground squirrels can be found under cover in the stands of aspen and scrub juniper.
Management Planning
Activities Available at this Park
Canoeing
Cycling
Fishing
This area is very popular for fishing and even features a “children only” fishery to foster interest in the sport among youth. The ponds between Kentucky Lake and Alleyne Lake are open only to those under the age of 16. The lakes and ponds are stocked with rainbow trout from the Summerland Trout Hatchery.
Boats are restricted to 7.5kW (10hp) on both Kentucky Lake and Alleyne Lake.
Depending on temperatures, there are ice-fishing opportunities in the park. Access may be difficult depending on road conditions. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hiking
A four km walking trail circling Kentucky Lake provides viewing and access to the lakeshore where the swimming is great. The trail is well-defined, 2–3 foot wide hardpacked dirt. It is an easy walk with minimal elevation change that takes one hour. It follows the lakeshore through large Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine trees. At the south end of the lake, a spur trail leads 20m to another small quiet pond. The other trails in the park serve only to link the various camping loops.
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.
Interpretive Programs
Pets on Leash
Swimming
Winter Recreation
Facilities Available at this Park
Boat Launch
Campfires
Firewood can be purchased from the Park Operator in some parks or you can bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. You may pre-pay for firewood with your campsite self registration. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t 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 may use communal fire rings. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.
Please ensure that all barbeques or campstoves are used on the ground and not set on picnic tables.
Drinking Water
There are water taps located throughout the campgrounds and one hand-pump at the group campsite.
Group Camping
The group site is located on the north end of Alleyne Lake accessed via a narrow 2.5 km gravel road. The group site requires a minimum booking of ten parties. There are picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets, potable water and the site is located lakeside for good fishing and boating opportunities.
Youth group camping charges per night are $1/person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum. Read the Youth Group policy about Criteria for Youth Groups.
Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, which is $80.00/group site/night, plus $5/adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (6-15). There is no fee for children under 6!
Pit or Flush Toilets
Vehicle Accessible Camping
This park offers 58 vehicle accessible campsites including five double, eight pull-through and one group campsite. The group campsite is located at the north end of Alleyne Lake.
The campground is quite spread out and divided between Kentucky Lake, sites 1-31, the West Pond, sites 36-41 and Alleyne Lake with sites 42-58. The sites along Kentucky Lake are spacious and open allowing for lots of sunshine and fantastic views of the lake. Most of the sites are right on the lake. The sites are gravel and have a picnic table on a cement pad and a fire ring.
The sites above the West Pond are also open and situated on a narrow terrace overlooking the water. These sites are pull-through and there is a small turn-around area past the sites to make entering and leaving easier.
There is a combination of sites on Alleyne Lake. The access road winds down a terrace accessing multiple of levels of sites. Some are right on the lake while others overlook it. Most of the sites are open, separated by natural grasses, with great views and lots of sunshine. One small loop of four sites is located amidst the Douglas fir forest.
Campsites on the West Pond and Alleyne Lake are open year-round. Services are available mid-May to October, annually. The gate to Kentucky Lake is closed annually after the Canadian Thanksgiving. All sites are first-come, first-served and, campsite reservations are not accepted.
Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served campsites are also available. During the camping season, overnight visitors can still pay at the campground with a self-registration system – cash only accepted. Deposit cash in the envelope (change will be provided when attendant arrives if you do not have correct amount), fill out the information and place in the vault provided at the information kiosk. Please detach the receipt portion and attach to the campsite number post. You may also pre-pay firewood with your campsite self-registration.
There are no phones in the park and the closest store is at the Elkhart Lodge on the Coquihalla Connector or in Merritt, 38 km north of the park.
