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Park Contact
This park proudly operated by:
Quality Recreation Ltd.
250 584-9025
info@explorebcparks.ca
During a campfire ban, smoking is restricted in all public areas of a park or protected area. Please read this Information Bulletin.
Vaseux Lake Provincial Park
About This Park
This park provides preserves an abundant wildlife population. The lake provides promising fishing opportunities for large mouth bass, rainbow trout and carp. In winter there are great opportunities for skating, ice-fishing, and ice-boating.
Excellent wildlife viewing area by Highway 97 between Oliver and Okanagan Falls. Best viewing in spring and fall. Look for mountain goats, California big horn sheep and a wide variety of bird species. Trails provide access to the nearby Vaseux Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary which is managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service.
Special Features: National waterfowl sanctuary, bluffs that form California bighorn sheep habitat.
Park Size: 12 hectares
Know Before You Go
Special Notes
- Mushroom picking or harvesting is prohibited in provincial parks.
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.
About 25 km south of Penticton on Hwy 97. The closest communities are Okanagan Falls and Oliver.
Nature and Culture
- Conservation: The park protects 10 red listed plant ecosystems the cover the whole spectrum from desert to wetland. These are: Antelope brush, big sage, bluebunch wheatgrass, water birch, balsamroot, pinegrass, threetip sagebrush, red osier dogwood, Idaho fescue and marsilea.
- Wildlife: There is an astounding number of rare wildlife species in this small park. There are seven blue and two red listed mammals known in the park, including California bighorn sheep, badger and Pallid bat. The park is a birder’s paradise with 11 red listed species and 9 blue listed species present. Five blue listed reptiles are found in the park, as well as the red listed night snake, which is the rarest snake in Canada. Common waterfowl are Canada geese, trumpeter swans, blue-winged teal, widgeons and wood ducks. Lazuli bunting are spotted in the spring – sharing the area with toads, turtles, beavers, muskrats, rabbits and deer.
Management Planning
Activities Available at this Park
Canoeing
Vaseux Lake is perfect for canoeing and kayaking due to its relatively small size and vast amount of shoreline bird habitat.
Cycling
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Fishing
The lake provides promising fishing opportunities for largemouth bass,
rainbow trout and carp. The two Vaseux “Lagoons” on the west side of Okanagan
River above McIntyre dam are included in the April 1 to June 30 spring closure. Anyone
fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate
licence. For information about freshwater fishing, including regulations, restrictions and limits, please check the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis.
Hiking
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.
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. Backcountry areas are not suitable
for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems
with bears.
Swimming
There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. There are over a
thousand square meters of beach extending the length of the entire campground
and along the lakeshore to the Wildlife Center in a narrow band of coarse
sand and grass.
Wildlife Viewing
There are viewing platforms in the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada Waterfowl Sanctuary just north of the campground. The platforms are at ground level along the boardwalk overlooking openings in the thick rushes. They are equipped with benches for bird watching and taking in the beautiful scenery. There is an enclosed two-storey viewing platform at the end of the boardwalk, also for bird watching. It affords a protected vantage point for viewing the variety of waterfowl on the lake. Though outside the park, the boardwalk and viewing platform are commonly used by park visitors since the gravel parking area is within the park boundary. The Vaseux Lake area is managed cooperatively by the Ministry of Environment and the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada along with the Nature Trust of British Columbia for its immense wildlife values.
Winter Recreation
Ice skating is possible on Vaseux Lake.
Facilities Available at this Park
Accessibility
One of the pit toilets is wheelchair-accessible. The road in the campground is paved and fairly flat.
Campfires
While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
Drinking Water
A hand pump is available in the park. Interior Health has issued a permanent “boil water” advisory on this source.
Picnic Areas
This park has a day-use/picnic area located off the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada Waterfowl Sanctuary parking lot. There are two pit toilets visible from the gravel parking lot. The two picnic tables are down a short path to the lake in a small grassy area surrounded by thick shrubs. There is an information kiosk here with facts about the wildlife in the area.
Pit or Flush Toilets
This park has four pit toilets – no flush toilets.
Vehicle Accessible Camping
This park offers 12 vehicle-accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis; campsite reservations are not accepted. Fees are cash only and are self-registration. Most of the campsites are right on the lake. They are large with gravel pads and are fairly private. Open grassy areas separate some of the sites. If the campground is full, campers may be able to find a spot at Inkaneep Provincial Park located minutes away.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $18.00 per party/night
BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $9.00 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.
Winter Camping
Camping is permitted in the off season, but as the gates are closed, this would be on a walk in basis as long as the weather allows. Please note, no services are provided.
Winter Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $11.00 per party / night
