Graystokes Park | BC Parks

Highlights in this park

Graystokes Park was established on April 18, 2001, to provide significantly increased representation of a number of biogeoclimatic units in the North Okanagan highlands ecosection. It also protects an extensive complex of swamps, meandering streams and meadows, as well as maintaining habitat for moose, mule deer and white-tailed deer.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
There are no developed trails in the park. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs.

Special notes

No motorized vehicles, including off-road and all-terrain vehicles. Only snowmobiles are permitted during the winter months.
The BC Snowmobile Federation has three chalets on the Graystokes Plateau. They are not for use by the general public and may not be to BC Parks’ standards.

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]

Getting there

This park is located 45km northeast of Kelowna. From Highway 97 in Kelowna follow Highway 33 for 23.5km toward Big White Ski Area. Turn left, then take Three Forks Road and cross Mission Creek at 7km. Continue north for 0.5km and turn right onto Greystokes Forest Service Road. Follow this rough road to the park for approximately 10km.

Things to do

Fishing

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Pets on leash

Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears. Pets and 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.

Hunting

The protected area is open to hunting. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for further details.

Winter recreation

There are no formal cross-country skiing or snowshoeing trails in the park. Given its popularity as a snowmobiling destination, other winter activities may be limited. The Graystokes Plateau is a very popular area for snowmobiling. Articles about the area, have appeared in various snowmobiling publications.

About this park

Conservation

Graystokes protects extensive old growth Sub-alpine fir and Engelmann spruce. The extensive complex of swamps, streams and wetland meadows mixed with forest is unique in the Southern Interior. Forest types range from mid-elevation to alpine and include extensive old growth Engelmann spruce, sub-alpine fir and Douglas fir. The Graystokes Plateau plays a key role in providing mid and late summer range for wildlife when the valley bottom is no longer productive. It also protects the upper reaches of the Mission Creek watershed for the City of Kelowna.

Wildlife

Within the protected area is habitat for moose, white-tailed deer and mule deer primarily from spring to fall. Also found in the area are lynx, wolverine, ptarmigan and grouse. The mountain caribou is one red-listed animal found here, as well as three blue-listed mammals which as the fisher, Townsend’s big-eared bat and grizzly bear. Also found in this park is one blue-listed plant species named pink agoseris.

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