Park overview
Nestled along the Coldstream Valley bordering the District of Coldstream, this fine example of North Okanagan grassland is dotted with ponderosa pine and groves of Douglas fir. The spring wildflower show is truly spectacular. The largely undeveloped park has an all season appeal to those interested in its natural setting.
A variety of animals, birds and reptiles and plant life reside in a mosaic of grassland communities. To date, 432 varieties of vascular plants have been identified in the park, rare for such a small area. This peaceful park is ideal for the study and appreciation of natural history, all year-round.
Advisories
Dates of operation
Park status:
Open
The park gate is open year-round
- Facility type
- Picnic areas
- Main operating season
- 2023: April 7 to October 29
- Winter season
- No services
Safety info
- This area provides habitat for a variety of snakes, including rattlesnakes. This is no reason to avoid the area, just remember to wear heavy pants and high boots and avoid walking in the long grass and putting hands and feet into crevices that you can’t see into. People who encounter rattlesnakes along trails should detour around them and go on their way. Rattlesnakes will not chase after people and cannot strike beyond the length of their body.
- Visitors should be aware that bears inhabit the park.
- Campers and swimmers should be aware that swimmer’s itch may be present at Kalamalka Lake Park. For more information on the treatment and prevention of swimmers itch, check out the BC Healthfiles page.
- Cliff diving is extremely hazardous. Projecting rock shelves and debris are often hidden just below the surface. Hard impacts with water can empty the lungs of air resulting in serious injury, rapid sinking and possible drowning.
- The extremely hot, dry Okanagan climate can result in overexposure to the sun. Visitors should use a sunscreen and wear a hat during long periods in the sun.
Special notes
- Dogs are not allowed in Jade Bay, Juniper Bay and Cosens Bay, except in the designated area at the eastern end of Cosens beach. They must be on leash in all other areas of the park.
- There are kiosks at main trailheads with interpretive information.
Facilities
There is accessibility information for the Twins Bay area.
In addition, at the Jade Bay and Juniper Bay 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 600 m 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.
The trail to Jade Bay splits from the paved trail about 20 m from the parking lot. This is a wide gravel trail with a moderately steep slope. It is about 500 m 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 m 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 and is located about 5 km 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 and 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 to October 29. There are no flush toilets.
Activities
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.
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 and 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 and 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 to 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.
Only the swimming areas in the three main bays are well marked with swim buoys. Other pocket beaches are unmarked. There are no lifeguards on duty.
Please obey all posted speed and vessel restrictions. Daily kokanee quota is two. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Pets and 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 rattlesnake 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 foot traffic. ( 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.
Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia. For details on e-biking within Kalamalka Lake 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 Park, provided they meet the definitions and criteria for e-bike use as outlined in the BC Parks cycling guidelines.
Kalamalka Lake is a popular destination for waterskiing and wakeboarding, though there is no boat launch in the park. Boat launches are located at Kekuli Bay Park and Kal Beach (City of Vernon).
Hunting is permitted only within the areas specified on this map: Kalmalka Lake Park Hunting Map [PDF] . Please refer to the Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.
Depending on snow levels, the trails into Cosens Bay provide un-groomed, cross-country skiing. Other trails may lead through the grasslands above the bay. The numerous trails in the park are great for snowshoeing providing an opportunity for winter exploration in a safe setting.
Located 8 km south of Vernon city centre off Highway 6.
Park and activity maps
- Map [PDF]
- Brochure [PDF] (Produced and generously provided by the Friends of Kalamalka Society)
- Bike Trail Map [PDF]
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: September 11, 1975
- Size: 3,218 hectares
Park contact
The core area of this park is proudly operated by:
Kaloya Contracting Ltd.
info@campokanagan.com
236-970-7815
- This is not a campsite reservations number.
- Please specify the park name when sending/leaving a message.
campokanagan.com
Kaloya Contracting on Facebook
Cosens Creek Mountain Bike Area is managed and maintained by the North Okanagan Cycling Society
info@nocs.ca
Nature and culture
History
Established September 11, 1975. In 2008, Kalamalka Lake Protected Area (2,223 hectares) became part of Kalamalka Lake Park. The park now encompasses an area of 3,218 hectares.
Cultural Heritage
The grasslands and bluffs of the park were traditionally used by the Okanagan Nation. Kekuli pits and six sites of lithic artifacts are located in the park along with evidence of small village clusters of pit houses and a larger cultural village. As well, Cosens Bay was the site of a World War Two mortar practice range.
Conservation
Ponderosa pine and groves of Douglas fir are found in the northern portion of the Park, while Douglas fir, cedar and hemlock dominate the area south of Cosens Bay. To date, 432 varieties of vascular plants have been identified in the park, a rare find in such a small area. Included is the red-listed Flat-topped broom-rape. The grasslands above Cosens Bay are part of an ecosystem that is rapidly disappearing in the Okanagan Valley. Kalamalka Lake is one of a handful of unique bodies of water known as marl lakes. When the lake warms in summer, calcium carbonate, or limestone, forms crystals that reflect sunlight and create its distinctive blue and green colours.
Wildlife
There is an abundance of rare and endangered wildlife in this park. White-tailed deer, mule deer, mink, bobcat, black bear, cougar, coyote and red fox occur in the park. Blue-listed mammals include the Western harvest mouse and Townsend’s big-eared bat. A great spot for birdwatchers, the park provides habitat for the Canada goose, canyon wren, white-throated swift, Western screech owl and flammulated owl, all of which are blue-listed species. The variety of reptiles here is vast, including pacific rubber boa, western rattlesnake, western yellow-bellied racer, gopher snake, northeastern garter snake, common garter snake, western painted turtle, Great Basin spadefoot toad, and northern alligator lizard. There is even a unique insect, the green hairstreak.
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.