Kalamalka Lake Park

There is accessibility information for the Twins Bay area.

In addition, at the Jade/Juniper are there is:

• A wheelchair-accessible pit toilet
• One picnic table is wheelchair-accessible. A paved trail from the parking lot leads right to the table that sits on a paved pad.

This park offers a variety of day-use activities accessed from four main parking areas: Red Gate, Cosens Bay Gate, Twin Bays (yellow) Gate, and the Climbers Parking Lot.

Red Gate has parking for approximately ten vehicles. This location consists of an information shelter just inside the gate and trails that access the upland portions of the park and also loop around to link with both the Cosens Bay and the Jade and Juniper Bay parking areas. The trail to the other two parking areas is wide and easy to follow, while other trails are less developed. The trails from Red Gate are ideal for hiking, walking dogs on leashes, and biking. This parking area is located outside of the Park and is maintained by the District of Coldstream.

Cosens Bay Gate has a space for approximately 20 vehicles. This is the closest parking area to Cosens Bay. Although Cosens Bay Road continues on into the park it is primarily for traffic accessing private properties outside the park, or those parking at the Climbers Parking Lot. A 3 km trail leads from the parking lot to day-use facilities at Cosens Bay. There is an information shelter and a pit toilet at the start of the trail. Access to the Okanagan High Rim Trail is also from this parking area. Cosens Bay has a large beach of coarse sand that extends into the water, making swimming a treat. Picnic tables are situated along the beach beside the fringe of cottonwood trees that separate the beach from the surrounding grasslands. There are pit toilets where the trail reaches the beach. The trail to Cosens Bay is ideal for hiking, walking dogs on a leash, biking, or horseback riding.

Twin Bays (Yellow) Gate is the largest parking area in the park, and can accommodate a large number of vehicles. There are information shelters and a wheelchair-accessible pit toilet near the parking area. A 600m paved trail runs down a gradual slope to Juniper Bay. There is a bench along the way. At Juniper Bay there are 11 tables on cement pads spread out across an irrigated lawn shaded by a few large Ponderosa pines. There is a BBQ stand beside one of the tables. The tables and lawns overlook the large beach of fine sand which is a great spot for swimming on a hot Okanagan day. Shrubs and trees cover the small rocky headland at one end of the bay. Also situated on the headland just off the lawn is a stone and concrete interpretive display with information on native vegetation and wildlife.

The trail to Jade Bay splits from the paved trail about 20 metres from the parking lot. This is a wide gravel trail with a moderately steep slope. It is about 500 metres to the beach. The trail passes through Ponderosa pine with a thick under story of young Douglas fir and shrubs. There is a pit toilet beside the trail 50 metres before the beach. A narrow pebbly beach is rimmed by grass, on which are four picnic tables. The beach is smaller than at Juniper Bay. A short trail along the lake links the two day-use areas. Jade and Juniper Bay is ideal for hiking and beach activities.

Climbers Parking Lot was constructed in 2013 with assistance from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and is located about 5km down Cosens Bay Road from Cosens Bay Gate. The park’s newest parking area was created to provide an acceptable area for climbers, hikers and mountain bikers to leave their vehicles and avoid the need to park along or off the road. The parking lot is located at the Climbers Trail Trailhead, but also provides a great starting point for those accessing the Cosens Creek multi-use trail network.

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times. Pet Beaches are located about a kilometre down the Crest Trail, and at the eastern end of Cosens Bay.

This park has pit toilets that are maintained from April 7 - October 29. There are no flush toilets.

Over 14 km of trails provide access to the park’s many ecological features, viewpoints and main beaches.

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.

Hiking trails

Bear Valley Trail: 1 km; easy. This natural trail is accessed by following the High Rim Trail from the Cosens Bay parking, following the fence along the park boundary and climbing the small ridge. The trail descends into the Bear Valley and leaves the High Rim Trail to head south towards Cosens Bay. This narrow valley is filled with Douglas fir and moisture loving shrubs in stark contrast to the dry grasslands in the Cosens Valley. The trail can be wet and muddy at times. It joins the private road to the cabins and can be made into a loop back to the parking lot.

Coldstream Trail: 2.5 km; moderate. This developed gravel path begins at the Red Gate and cuts through a forest of Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir before emerging into grasslands and descending into Cosens Bay.

Cosens Bay Trail: 2.5 km; easy. A popular hike to the beach at Cosens Bay, hikers can follow the road through the grasslands. The trail leaves the road to follow Red Hawthorne Creek to the beach.

Crest Trail: 1 km; easy. This trail follows the height of land from the Jade/Juniper parking to Rattlesnake Point. Steep cliffs are found along this trail, please stay on the trail. There are benches along the way to make the most of the great views of the lake.

Grassland Trail: 1.5 km; easy. This developed gravel path leaves the Jade/Juniper parking lot and climbs through open grassland and Ponderosa pine to join the Coldstream Trail. Hikers can continue on to Red Gate or Cosens Bay.

Juniper Trail: 1.5 km; easy-moderate. This well developed paved trail descends to the twin bays. A gravel path continues on to follow the lakeshore before climbing up to Rattlesnake Point and the viewpoint atop the point.

Many other informal trails bisect the park and expose visitors to the varied terrain and vegetation in the park.

Please obey all posted speed and vessel restrictions. Daily kokanee quota is 2. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times. Pet Beaches are located about a kilometre down the Crest Trail and at the eastern end of Cosens Bay. You are responsible for your pet’s behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.

Dogs off-leash are especially susceptible to rattle-snake bites; anti-venom cannot be given to your pet if bitten.

Mountain biking is permitted in the park, however, the beaches (Jade, Juniper and Cosens) and trails to Rattlesnake Point are not appropriate for biking due to the high levels of use by hikers/walkers. ( refer to map for bike closure areas [PDF] ). The Cosens Creek area of the park, south of Cosens Bay Road, is a multi-use trail system maintained by the North Okanagan Cycling Society (NOCS), and boasts some of the best mountain biking in the North Okanagan. Elsewhere in the park, please stay on trails and watch for other users. North Okanagan Cycling Society can be contacted at info@nocs.ca.

• Bike Trail Map [PDF] 

Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

For details on e-biking within Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, see the e-biking section.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are permitted on signed or designated trails within Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, provided they meet the definitions and criteria for e-bike use as outlined in the BC Parks cycling guidelines.

Hunting is permitted only within the areas specified on this map: Kalmalka Lake Provincial Park Hunting Map [PDF] . Please refer to the Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.