Park overview
Nestled between the towering peaks of the Purcell and Rocky Mountains, this day-use area provincial park is situated at the north end of 15 kilometres long Windermere Lake.
A broad, sandy beach backed with open, grassy play areas offers pleasant surroundings for families who enjoy lakeshore recreation. Windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming are popular activities. There is an adventure playground and a volleyball court.
Advisories
Special notes
- Storage of buoys and moorage of watercraft overnight within James Chabot Park is prohibited.
- The park boundary extends 100 metres into Windermere Lake from the high water line.
- Equipment found to be stored overnight in the park will be removed and owners will be subject to a fine.
- For more information, contact BC Parks in Cranbrook, B.C. at 250-489-8540.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
Two cold water taps are located in the park and available during the operating season.
There is a children’s adventure playground at this park.
This park has a day-use and picnic area with 40 picnic tables, 360 metres of sandy beach backed by a grassy area and 171 parking stalls.
Flush toilets and a change room are located adjacent to the parking lot.
Activities
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.
There are swimming opportunities at this park.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
There are paddling, canoeing and kayaking opportunities at this park. Windermere Lake is a popular motor boating area. Please use caution.
There are paddling, canoeing and kayaking opportunities at this park. Windermere Lake is a popular motor boating area. Please use caution.
Fish species resident in Lake Windermere include trout (bull, rainbow, cutthroat), kokanee and whitefish.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
A newly constructed 350 metre elevated boardwalk, allows pedestrians to view wildlife and appreciate the wetland within the park. The boardwalk is part of a initiative by the Columbia Rivers Greenways Alliance to link natural habitat and green spaces along the Columbia River. Here is a copy of the James Chabot Dragonfly Boardwalk Information Release [PDF] and copies of the Welcoming Sign [PDF] and Thank You Sign [PDF] .
Dogs must be leashed at all times on the Dragonfly boardwalk and gravel path leading to the boardwalk.
James Chabot Park is important habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds. Thank you for doing your part to help sensitive wildlife by keeping your dog on a leash.
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed on the grass or beach areas. This applies year-round. Dogs on leash are permitted on the gravel pathway and boardwalk only. Park visitors are responsible for their pet’s behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within James Chabot Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
The lake provides excellent waterskiing opportunities. No boating is allowed inside the buoyed areas.
The large, open lake provides good opportunities for windsurfing.
This park is located 3km off Highway 93/95 at the Invermere access road. The park is situated 2km from Invermere town centre.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: March 1, 1979
- Size: 14 hectares
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
EK Parks Ltd.
camping@ekparks.ca
250 422-3003
Nature and culture
Cultural Heritage
The area now known as Althamer and the north end of Lake Windemere, were know to have sustained large numbers of First Nations encampments (pre-colonial Period). These settlements were frequented during salmon runs along the Columbia River. The runs are now extinct because of dams on the lower reaches of the river. The park is located within close proximity to the salmon beds along the Columbia River, known traditionally as “Kwataqnuk”, meaning “where the water leaves the lake.”
Conservation
The diversity of life and geography preserved in the nearby Columbia Wetlands offer spectacular canoeing, landscape viewing, wildlife and birding opportunities.
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.