Park overview
A popular day-use area for locals as well as travelers, Mara Park is noted for fishing, swimming, boating, and as a family picnic area.
Advisories
Dates of operation
The park gate is open May 3, 2024 to September 30, 2024
- Facility type
- Boat launch
- Main operating season
- 2024: May 3 to September 30
- Winter season
- Not known
- Facility type
- Picnic areas
- Main operating season
- 2024: May 3 to September 30
- Winter season
- Not known
Safety info
- Boat traffic is heavy near Mara Park. Swim only in designated areas.
Special notes
- Note that this is a day-use only park. Overnight camping is not permitted, and mooring of boats overnight is not allowed.
- The nearest public telephones are at resorts and stores located a few kilometres south of the park, or north in Sicamous.
- If your boat has recently been out of the Province, inspect it for invasive Zebra and Quagga Mussels before entering the water. For more information, here is the link to the Invasive Species of British Columbia web page.
- Please help to prevent the spread of Eurasian Water Milfoil by removing all weeds from your boat and motor before launching and after removing it from the lake.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
This park has a day-use and picnic area as well as a parking lot.
Activities
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Canoeing, kayaking, powerboating can be done at this park. Please note that no boats are to be moored in the park overnight.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
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.
Mara Lake is a very popluar lake for waterskiing.
On the south-east side of Mara Lake, accessed via Hwy 97A. The park is 10km north of the junction of Hwys 97A and 97B. If traveling on Trans Canada Hwy #1, the park is 12km south of Sicamous.
Park and activity maps
- Mara Park Map [PDF] (May 19, 2020)
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: May 31, 1938
- Size: 13 hectares
Park contact
This park is proudly operated by:
Kaloya Contracting Ltd.
camping@campokanagan.ca
236-970-7815
- This is not a campsite reservations number.
- Please specify the park name when sending/leaving a message.
Nature and culture
History
This park was established in 1938.
Cultural Heritage
There is evidence of prehistoric use of this site by indigenous people.
Conservation
The shore of Mara Lake is important habitat for salmon.
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.