Mabel Lake Park | BC Parks

Highlights in this park

Well off the beaten track, nestled in a beautiful mountain setting are the quieter, sandy beaches of Mabel Lake Park.

Lush forests offer a pleasant retreat from the more crowded urban centres. The park’s sandy shoreline is backed by a cool forest of hemlock, red cedar and birch, in sharp contrast to the drier ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests to the west. Squirrels often visit the campsites and painted turtles can be seen at Taylor Creek. Deer, black bear and even moose can be seen occasionally as well as a variety of birdlife and water fowl.

Mabel Lake is a fisherman’s destination park as several local fishing derbies are held in the park each year. It is not uncommon to find a handful of fisherman enjoying the peaceful spring months, fishing off the beach. Opportunities for rainbow trout are available here year-round.

Temperatures are warm in the summer but rarely extreme, making this a great campsite for those who prefer a cooler locale than the Okanagan Valley. The natural setting and access to a 35 km long lake make this a popular destination for all ages.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Mabel Lake can experience sudden weather changes. Boaters are reminded to find shelter in bays along the lakeshore in times of gusty winds.
The lake bottom drops off steeply from the beach. Use caution.
In the spring and fall, there is a lot of wildlife activity in the park. Please exercise caution and keep a safe distance. For more information on staying safe please visit the wildlife safety page.

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:

Reservation policies

Get information on:

Maps and location

Mabel Provincial Park Map [PDF] (March 4, 2021)
Brochure [PDF] (July 9, 2018)

Getting there

Take Hwy 6 east from Vernon to Lumby. Follow signs in Lumby turning north onto Mabel Lake Road. Follow the Shuswap River for 36 km on paved road through a picturesque landscape of farmland and ranches and 1 km of gravel road to Mabel Lake and the campground. The total distance from Vernon is 60 km.

Things to do

Hiking

The short 1 km “Changing Rainforest” self-guided interpretive trail winds through the shaded forest carpeted in moss that is found between the campsites and the main road. It is a gentle hike taking visitors through the maturing second growth rainforest of western red cedar, hemlock and some Douglas fir. The hike takes 30 minutes.

Swimming

Mabel Lake is a great spot for swimming. A very large fine sand beach provides the perfect place to warm up and dry off or just relax in the sun.

The beach is separated from the lawns of the day-use area by cottonwood trees and is easily accessed from both the day-use parking lot and the Trinity campground.

Another smaller beach is found next to the Monashee campground. The sand is more coarse but still a great spot for swimming. Both areas are marked with buoys.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

There are paddling, canoeing and kayaking opportunities at this park. This is a fairly large lake (35 km long) and subject to sudden weather changes. Paddle near shore and explore the extensive shoreline if the weather is poor. The lake is also popular with motorboats.

Kayaking

Kayaking is welcome at this park.

Fishing

There are fishing opportunities in this park.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Wildlife viewing

There is an abundance of wildlife in the park that makes for good wildlife viewing, especially in the spring and fall.

Pets on leash

There is a designated beach area for dogs between the boat launch and the swimming area. In all other areas of the park, pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times. Please remember you are responsible for their behavior and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.

Cycling

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 Mabel 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.

Waterskiing

Mabel Lake is a good spot for waterskiing, though not a destination. The boat launch facilities are sufficient for a variety of boats.

About this park

History

Mabel Lake Park was established in 1972. The lake was named after Mabel Charles, daughter of a Hudson’s Bay Company manager during the late nineteenth century.

Conservation

The area’s climate and landscapes mark the dramatic transition from the Okanagan Basin to the Quesnel and Shuswap Highlands. To the west, the slopes of the Thompson Plateau are covered in Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir, while on the east side of Mabel Lake the wetter and steeper slopes of the Shuswap Highlands grade into the Monashee Mountains. For visitors accustomed to the dry Okanagan forests, the cedar and hemlock of Mabel Lake clearly indicate the greater rainfall in this valley.

Wildlife

Squirrels often visit the campsites and painted turtles can be seen at Taylor Creek. Deer, black bears and moose can be seen occasionally as well as a variety of birdlife and water fowl.

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. Phone number: 1-800-689-9025 (toll-free from Canada or the US) Phone number: 1-519-858-6161 (international) Contact form Live chat
Park operator	This park is operated by Kaloya Contracting Ltd. Please specify the park name when sending or leaving a message. Email: camping@campokanagan.ca Phone: 1-236-970-7815 Website: campokanagan.ca
General questions and feedback for BC Parks	We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. Email: parkinfo@gov.bc.ca

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.

Phone number: 1-800-689-9025 (toll-free from Canada or the US)