Kootenay Lake Park
Park overview
Kootenay Lake Park is truly an undiscovered Kootenay gem. Are you in need of a working sabbatical? With its newly installed WiFi, Davis Creek is the perfect place to hunker down and get it done, between fishing, paddling, hiking, and biking, of course. The new group site can be booked for your private function up to one year in advance, check it out on the BC Parks reservations system.
In addition to the opportunities listed above, this park offers numerous other recreational opportunities. Nestled between the Selkirk’s and the Purcell’s, visitors can also discover Mount Buchanan Look Out, Hamill Creek (Earl Grey) Trail, Fry Creek Canyon, Monica Meadows, or Idaho Peak. Visit the Kaslo Tourist Information Centre located in the restored SS Moyie. This beautifully restored stern wheeler is designated as a natural historic site.
Kootenay Lake Park is divided into the following sites:
- Campbell Bay
- Coffee Creek
- Davis Creek and Lost Ledge: Davis Creek and Lost Ledge are two campgrounds situated on the north-western shore of Kootenay Lake offering lake views and shady, secluded campsites. Both sites are very picturesque and are popular with anglers and families for their unique, informal camping experience.
Davis Creek
Davis Creek is a smaller campground with 32 sites situated on the north-western shore of Kootenay Lake, 5km apart, 25km (16 miles) north of Kaslo off Hwy. 31. Known for outstanding views of the Purcell mountain range with lakeview, sheltered campsites that provide a million dollar view.
Davis Creek is north of Lost Ledge towards the Lardeau Valley and has recently undergone a reconstruction adding 10 new sites along the waterfront, an upgrade to the drinking water system and easier beach access points with the addition of a large retaining wall. The new campsites, called Cove Loop, have been added to the BC Parks reservations system and can be reserved up to four months prior to your planned visit.
Easy beach access to Kootenay Lake makes water activities such as kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding an ideal way to pass the day. Swimming would be considered refreshing as the water tends to be cold. When the wind is up the area is also well known for windsurfing and kiteboarding.
A Group Site at Davis Creek is an ideal setting for gatherings of between 15 to 50 people.
Lost Ledge
Lost Ledge is a small secluded campground with 14 sites situated on the north-western shore of Kootenay Lake, 25km (16 miles) north of Kaslo on Hwy. 31, and 5km south from Davis Creek campground. Lost Ledge is known for outstanding views of the Purcell mountain range and lake view sheltered campsites. It is popular with anglers and is equipped with a concrete boat launch and parking for boat trailers.
Offering a true opportunity to get away and relax in a beautiful setting with easy beach access, Kootenay Lake makes kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddle boarding an ideal way to pass the day. When the wind is up the area is also well known for windsurfing and kiteboarding.
Midge Creek
Access to the park at Midge Creek is via water vessel. Water-oriented activities are most popular, with angling for kokanee, Dolly Varden and rainbow trout. Boasting more than a kilometre of sandy beach, it is a popular destination for boaters.
Other parks located on Kootenay Lake are:
Advisories
Dates of operation
Open to public access year-round
Current status:Open to public access
- Facility type
- Vehicle-accessible camping
- Number of campsites
- Reservable frontcountry sites: 10
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 32
- Double sites: 2
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: May 5 to September 25
- Reservable dates
- 2023: May 5 to September 24
- Facility type
- Group camping
- Number of campsites
- Groupsites: 1
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: May 12 to September 25
- 2024: May 4 to September 23
- Reservable dates
- 2023: May 12 to September 24
- 2024: May 4 to September 22
- Facility type
- Vehicle-accessible camping
- Number of campsites
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 14
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: April 8 to October 22
- Facility type
- Wilderness camping
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Winter note
- The gate is open year-round, but use is subject to snow conditions, as the campground is not cleared of snow.
Safety info
Lake weather can change rapidly, be prepared. Visitors should be aware that high winds and spring squalls could come up quickly.
Special notes
Wi-Fi: This park offers wireless internet for $4.00 per 24 hour period. This service can be arranged with the on-site park operators.
Camping
- Total number of campsites
- Total reservable frontcountry sites: 10
- Total vehicle-accessible sites: 46
- Total double sites: 2
- Total groupsites: 1
All campsite reservations must be made the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first come, first served.
Campsite Reservations
Campsite reservations are accepted at Davis Creek campgrounds only and first come, first served sites are also available.
Group Campsite Reservations
Group campsite reservations are accepted at this park through the BC Parks reservations system.
There are reservable group campsites at this park.
Youth group camping charges per night are $1 per person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum. Read the youth group policy about criteria for youth groups.
Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, which is $120.00 per group site per night, plus $5 per adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1 per child (6 to 15). Children under 6 are free.
Vehicle-accessible camping is available at the Davis Creek and Lost Ledge campgrounds. There are no pull through campsites. The campgrounds offer services during the peak season of May to September. Campsite reservations are accepted at Davis Creek campgrounds, first come, first served campsites are also available. All campsites at the Lost Ledge campgrounds are on a first come, first served basis. Visitors can select any unreserved campsite and staff will come to collect fees. The closest pay phone and stores are in nearby Cooper or Meadow Creek.
Davis Creek
Davis Creek campground with gravel roads has 32 small, medium to large vehicle-accessible sites, two are double sites. The park offers both lake view sites with beach access or shaded sites in a fir, birch forest. The reservable campsites are sites 1-10 in Cove Loop. A park gate is located at the park entrance. There is limited parking in the larger sites for extra vehicles.
Lost Ledge
Lost Ledge campground has paved roads in a circular campground with 14 large to medium vehicle accessible sites, four are doubles. There is a choice of open, lakefront with magnificent lake views or shaded, forested sites in a mixed forest of fir, birch, larch, and cedar. There is no park gate. Parking for extra vehicles is available at the nearby day-use parking lot.
Midge Creek: Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for these areas of the park:
Midge Creek: This park has a day-use and picnic area.
Davis Creek and Lost Ledge: Each site contains centrally located pit toilets.
Midge Creek: This site only has pit toilets; no flush toilets.
Davis Creek and Lost Ledge campgrounds: Cold, hand pumped water is available at both sites for cooking and drinking.
Midge Creek: Bring your own drinking water, potable water is not available in the park.
Davis Creek and Lost Ledge: There is a single wide, concrete boat launch at Lost Ledge located at the north end of the park, past the last campsite. It is designed to accommodate full size boats. A 40-vehicle parking lot is nearby for vehicles and boat trailers. Boats can be left in the water or beached at either park but this is not commonly observed because of the changing weather.
Davis Creek and Lost Ledge campgrounds: While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using camp stoves instead. Firewood can be purchased from the park operator or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act ). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
Activities
Davis Creek and Lost Ledge
For the very brave, some swimming does take place. The water is considered cool to refreshing. The beaches are pebbly with coarse rocks. There are no lifeguards on duty.
There are opportunities for canoeing and kayaking on the lake.
Davis Creek and Lost Ledge
Access is from the lake front campsites or the boat launch at Lost Ledge. Shoreline canoeing is recommended, due to unpredictable winds and sudden squalls.
Kootenay Lake Paddle Sports on site offering Canoe, Kayak, and Paddle Board Rentals off the beach at Davis Creek.
There are opportunities for kayaking on the lake.
Davis Creek and Lost Ledge
Access is from the lake front campsites or the boat launch at Lost Ledge. Shoreline canoeing is recommended, due to unpredictable winds and sudden squalls.
Kootenay Lake Paddle Sports on site offering Canoe, Kayak, and Paddle Board Rentals off the beach at Davis Creek.
Visitors can enjoy angling for kokanee, bull and rainbow trout. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Check the BC fishing regulations synopsis for restrictions and quotas.
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. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
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 Kootenay Lake 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.
Davis Creek and Lost Ledge
There are windsurfing opportunities on Kootenay Lake.
Maps and location
Davis Creek and Lost Ledge sites are located in south central BC, on Highway 31 adjacent to Kootenay Lake. Both sites are north of Kaslo, Lost Ledge 25km and Davis Creek 30km. The driving time to Kaslo is 30 minutes.
Midge Creek site is located 38km south of Balfour, on the southwest shore of Kootenay Lake across from Sanca Creek.
Park and activity maps
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: December 4, 1987
- Size: 343 hectares
Park contact
For information on Davis Creek and Lost Ledge areas of the park only, contact:
RAP Park Contracting Ltd.
arpigeon@telus.net
Base Camp Phone: 250-825-0117
www.kootenayswparks.com
Nature and culture
Davis Creek and Lost Ledge
History
These small designation sites were formerly log dumps for Kootenay Forest Products. With the closing of KFP, the land was reverted to the crown and the Parks were established in 1987. Lost Ledge and Davis Creek lie in the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket and Shuswap First Nation traditional territories.
Conservation
With 38 hectares, Lost Ledge protects a small creek fan and frontage on the north-west shore of Kootenay lake. The 5 hectares of Davis Creek, also protects a natural creek fan with limited ungulate winter range. Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the parks natural heritage, please do not damage or remove them.
Wildlife
Loons, mallards, and Canada geese are often observed on the lake or along the shoreline with small mammals such as squirrels and chipmunks seen amongst the campsites and forest. Kokanee spawn in Davis Creek. Park users should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment. Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife. Please view all wildlife from a distance.
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.