Park overview
This park is found on the east side of Okanagan Lake, between Kelowna and Penticton. Okanagan Mountain Park has six marine campgrounds, secluded bays and sheltered sandy beaches tucked into the 33 km of undeveloped shoreline. It is considered a boater's paradise, making water exploring a true adventure.
Above the lakeshore there are over 10,000 hectares of rugged grassland and forest landscape. It is accessible only on foot, horseback or bicycle. Trails and rustic campsites are the only facilities in this area of the wilderness. A climb to the top of Okanagan Mountain will lead you to beautiful scenic lake views to the west and the Monashee Mountains to the east.
Advisories
Dates of operation
Park status:
Open
The park gate is open year-round
- Facility type
- Wilderness camping
- Main operating season
- 2023: Year-round
- Winter season
- Limited services
- Winter season note
- Park is open during the off-season.
Safety info
Wildfires have produced many hazards in the area such as unstable trees, holes and loose rock. The hazards have been reduced along the main trail system and camping areas. Traveling off the main trail system has an increased level of risk. Visitors choosing to enter this burnt area, can reduce their risk by doing the following:
- Remain on the main trail network.
- Wait for favourable weather. Calm conditions with no rain or snowfall are optimal for travelling safely.
- Travel quickly to reduce exposure time.
- Spread out groups to reduce risk of multiple casualties.
- Stop or camp only in open flat areas at least one tree length from standing trees.
- Travel carefully since contact with roots or trees may cause a tree to fall.
- Avoid steep slopes as falling trees and loose rocks may slide downhill.
- Leave the area or take shelter if trees are actively falling.
Please keep the following in mind:
- Good, sturdy footwear is essential.
- Summers are hot in this arid park and hikers should carry water between camping areas.
- Mushroom picking or harvesting is prohibited.
- Mountain bikers should carry a map of the park with them at all times.
- View the Trail Report [PDF] (June 5, 2022) for information on trail conditions.
Camping
There is an old cabin at Divide Lake that was built before the park was established. It is not to BC Parks standards and is user maintained. Visitors planning on staying at this cabin should be self-sufficient and able to camp outside if the cabin is full.
Wilderness camping is allowed at Baker Lake and Divide Lake. Limited facilities like pit toilets and fire rings are provided.
There are seven boat-in campgrounds along the lake:
- Buchan Bay
- Commando Bay
- Goode’s Creek
- Van Hyce Beach
- Reluctant Dragon Cove
- Halfway Bay
- Halfway Point
Additional camping is allowed at the South parking lot where there are two tables, two fire rings, space for two tents (no tent pads) and a pit toilet.
Mooring of uninhabited vessels is not permitted at anytime within the park. Vessels that are found uninhabited, tied to a mooring buoy or tied on shore could be impounded and removed at the owners expense. For additional information on mooring and marine concerns, please contact the park operator.
Facilities
Campfires are permitted and campfire rings are provided at some campsites. 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 when a park operator is available on the marine campsites, 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 during the operating season when fire restrictions are in place.
This park is popular amongst Kelowna residents for day-hikes and mountain biking.
This park only has pit toilets, no flush toilets.
Activities
There are many hiking trails in this park:
- Boulder Loop Trail: 5 km, 3 hrs, easy. North Parking Lot to Boulder Trail to Dead Horse Creek to Golden Mile Road.
- Old C.N. Trail: 3 km, 2 hrs, easy. North Parking Lot to Divide Lake Road
- Divide Lake Trail North (restricted access road): 8 km, 3.5 hrs, easy. Rimrock Gate to Divide Lake
- Boulder Trail: 3 km, 2 hrs, moderate. Old C.N. Trail to Dead Horse Creek
- Dead Horse Creek to Gate: 1.5 km, 1 hr, easy.
- Good’s Basin Trail: 6 km, 1.5 hrs, moderate. Dead Horse Creek to Pinnacles.
- Dead Horse Creek to end of Canyon: 7.5 km, 5 hrs, easy.
- Rim Trail via Wild Horse Canyon Trail: 1 km, 45 min, moderate.
- End of Canyon to Commando Bay: 1.8 km, 1 hr, moderate.
- End of Canyon to Buchan Bay: 1.5 km, 45 min, moderate.
- End of Canyon to Good’s Creek: 3 km, 2.5 hrs, difficult.
- Divide Lake to Baker Lake: 2 km, 1.5 hrs, difficult.
- Baker Lake to Victor Lake: 1 km, 45 min, moderate.
- Trailhead South Parking Lot Gemmill Lake: 2 km, 1 hr, easy.
- Divide Lake via Mountain Goat Trail: 5 km, 3 hrs, difficult.
- Viewpoint Trail: 500 m, 30 min, easy.
- Parking lot to Divide Trail South Junction: 5 km, 2 hrs, moderate.
- Divide Lake Trail South: 5 km, 2 hrs, moderate. Junction at Wildhorse Canyon to Divide Lake.
- Frederick Creek: 6 km, 2.5 hrs, moderate.
- Frederick Creek to Baker Lake: 4 km, 3 hrs, moderate.
- Frederick Creek to Good’s Creek: 4 km, 4 hrs, moderate.
- Good’s Creek Trail: 1 km, 45 min, moderate. Junction of Wildhorse Canyon Trail and Good’s Creek.
View the Trail Report [PDF] (June 5, 2022) for more information. 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.
Please note there is little surface water available away from the lakes. Carry plenty of drinking water, particularly in summer. Also, keep in mind that it is easy to become disoriented by the rugged terrain and deep canyons.
Swimming opportunities are plentiful along the undeveloped shoreline. There are many bays easily accessed by boat that make for a great place for snorkeling. There are no lifeguards on duty.
There are wonderful opportunities for canoeing or kayaking daytrips and multiple day trips along the shoreline of Okanagan Lake, bordering Okanagan Mountain Park. Camping among the marine park campsites gives the illusion of being tucked away along the coastal saltwater bays, yet being inland.
If possible, use a Canadian Hydrographic Chart 3052 for Okanagan Lake. This is available for a fee. Phone 250-765-3995 in Kelowna and 250-492-2628 in Penticton.
There are wonderful opportunities for canoeing or kayaking daytrips and multiple day trips along the shoreline of Okanagan Lake, bordering Okanagan Mountain Park. Camping among the marine park campsites gives the illusion of being tucked away along the coastal saltwater bays, yet being inland.
If possible, use a Canadian Hydrographic Chart 3052 for Okanagan Lake. This is available for a fee. Phone 250-765-3995 in Kelowna and 250-492-2628 in Penticton.
Norman, Baker and Divide lakes are all stocked with rainbow trout by the Summerland Trout Hatchery. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
There are fantastic views from the Rim Trail, the Pinnacles and the viewpoint just west of the south parking lot. The rugged terrain and steep canyons in the park make plentiful viewing opportunities for sheep, goats, elk, and birds of prey.
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times. Owners are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to the potential for problems with wildlife.
There are cycling opportunities at this park. Obey the signs that allow mountain biking within Okanagan Mountain Park. For details on e-biking, see the e-biking section.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are permitted on signed or designated trails within Okanagan Mountain Park, provided they meet the definitions and criteria for e-bike use as outlined in the BC Parks cycling guidelines.
There are opportunities for waterskiing and wakeboarding on Okanagan Lake.
Horseback riding is permitted at this park. Please use the designated trails because the park is rugged and even experienced riders can be challenged. Most areas in the park are inaccessible even by horseback, so please travel with caution.
Hunting is permitted only during lawful game hunting season. Check the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for regulations.
This park is located on the east side of Okanagan Lake, just opposite Peachland on Hwy 97. There are no public roads in the park. Access to the south boundary parking lot is through Naramata to Chute Lake Road. It is 6 km of gravel then 1.5 km of very rough road. It is a total of 25 km from Penticton. Access to the north boundary parking is via Lakeshore Road from Kelowna. Follow for 15 km to the parking area. The road continues past the parking lot but is for private land access only with no public parking.
Park and activity maps
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: August 23, 1973
- Size: 11,321 hectares
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
Kaloya Contracting Ltd.
info@campokanagan.com
250-766-7972
(This is not a campsite reservations number)
Please specify the park name when sending or leaving a message.
Nature and culture
History
This park was established August 23, 1973.
Culture
The colourful history of the Okanagan Valley is very evident in the park. There are archaeological sites and provincially significant First Nations pictographs found on rock outcrops and canyon walls. At one time, the local Salish Indigenous peoples used Wild Horse Canyon as a wild horse trap.
Historic trails form part of the current trail network, some dating back to 1860, when Father Pandosy established an oblate mission near Kelowna. Settlers used a trail through Wild Horse Canyon, but finding the south end of the trail crossed extremely rough and rocky country, Father Pandosy instituted a better trail higher up to the east.
Good’s Creek Canyon Trail was named for Dave Good, supplier of survey crews for the Kettle Valley Railway, built in 1915. Commando Bay was used to secretly train Chinese-Canadians for guerrilla warfare in 1944, during World War II.
Little remains at the crash site of a DC3 passenger plane that went down in December of 1950 roughly 1km northeast of Divide Lake. The two CP Air pilots died in the crash, while 16 others on board were rescued by local search and rescue teams. There is no trail access to the site.
Conservation
The park is a representative example of the Okanagan Basin and Okanagan Highlands. The terrain ranges from the deeply incised melt water channels of Good Creek and Wildhorse Canyon to the 1579m high Okanagan Mountain with spectacular examples of heavily glaciated rock terrain including classic rock drumlins, grooves, flutes and striations.
The park encompasses ecosystems from three different biogeoclimatic zones: the bunchgrass zone in some of the lower but more exposed areas, the ponderosa pine zone in much of the lower elevations and the interior Douglas fir zone on the upper mountain reaches. Significant old growth Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, Lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce covers more than 2500 hectares. The park’s plant life represents the influence of both the dry southern and wetter northern climates. The park protects a significant portion of undeveloped lakeshore along Okanagan Lake.
Wildlife
The variety of ecosystems represented in the park leads to an abundance of wildlife that is surprising in an area so close to Kelowna.
The rugged rocky terrain is habitat for mountain goats. White-tailed deer, moose, elk, lynx, marten, coyote are also found in the park. Small but very important species are the blue listed Western harvest mouse, Nuttall’s cottontail (the furthest northerly occurrence) and spotted bat. The northern alligator lizard and western skink can be found under rocks or bark in open wooded areas while the yellow-bellied racer prefers grasslands and open fields.
Blue listed reptile species found in the park include western painted turtle, rubber boa, gopher snake, western blue racer and western rattlesnake. The park protects habitat for five blue and two red listed bird species including the western grebe and white-headed woodpecker.
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.