Kootenay. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Special notes
- Visitors are asked to only enjoy viewing the painted turtles. Because the survival rate of these turtles is low, it is crucial that they be protected in the park and treated with respect by visitors. It is an offence to disturb, abuse, or remove turtles from the park.
- Cabins are available for rent in the park at the Ponderosa Campground and near the Ponderosa Group Site.
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
Getting there
From the east, turn off Hwy 3, 3 km west of Hwy 3/93 junction at Elko, the park entrance is 8 km west. From the west, turn off Hwy 3 at Jaffray, the park is located 16 km south.
Things to do
Surveyors Lake offers warm water and sandy beaches.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Kayaking is welcome on Surveyors Lake within Kikomun Creek Park. There are kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and peddle boat rentals available at this park.
Smallmouth bass and rainbow trout can be found in Surveyors Lake and kokanee in Lake Koocanusa.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Find fun summer outdoor learning experiences with Discover Parks Ambassadors here all summer long. For specific dates, along with many more seasonal and year-round activities, visit discoverparks.ca.
Find fun summer outdoor learning experiences with Discover Parks Ambassadors here all summer long. For specific dates, along with many more seasonal and year-round activities, visit discoverparks.ca.
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.
Bicycles must keep to roadway and designated bike trails. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are permitted on signed or designated trails within Kikomun Creek Park, provided they meet the definitions and criteria for e-bike use as outlined in the BC Parks cycling guidelines.
The discharge and carrying of firearms is permitted in this park for the purposes of hunting during open season. Please consult the BC Government Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information. Contact BC Parks at parkinfo@gov.bc.ca with any specific questions. Hunters are reminded that, it is prohibited to hunt or discharge a firearm or bow in a BC Park within 400 m of either side of the centre line of any park road.
Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
About this park
Created on May 18, 1972, the park is located on Lake Koocanusa, a 144 km long reservoir created by the Libby Dam on the Kootenay River in Montana.
Because native grasslands are rare to this part of the country, many endangered plants are found throughout the park. An extensive program to restore native grassland is underway in the park. Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the park’s natural heritage, please do not damage or remove them.
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
| Reservations, changes, and cancellations | Our call centre is open from 7 am to 7 pm Pacific Time. There is a $5 fee for reservations, changes, or cancellations made by phone.
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| Park operator | This park is operated by EK Parks Ltd. |
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
