Pilot Bay Park | BC Parks

Highlights in this park

Pilot Bay Park is the safest harbour on Kootenay Lake, where boaters often gather to weather out the summer storms. The water is warm in the bay for swimming and some of the best fishing for trophy “gerrard” trout is nearby.

There is an extensive network of hiking trails through the park and along the Pilot Peninsula. It is an easy walk to the historic Pilot Bay lighthouse which has been restored by area volunteer groups. Even though it is primarily marine accessed, the park can be reached by road.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
Trail Report [PDF] (Scroll to the Pilot Bay entry)

Special notes

This park is user-maintained. Pack out what you pack in.
Mountain biking is not permitted in the park
Mooring buoys in Pilot Bay are not suitable for use by house boats or large vessels as they do not have the capacity. Use is restricted to small pleasure craft only.

Attention Pleasure Craft Operators:

Pilot Bay and Sawmill Cove are used as a domestic water supply. Discharge or dumping of sewage is not permitted and is punishable by law.

(Canadian Shipping Act – SOR/91-661)

(Park Act – RSB 1996 CHAPTER 344 SECTION 14)

For further information, contact: Fisheries and Oceans Canada at 604-666-0384 or the Ministry of Environment at 250-387-1161

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

Park Map [PDF]

Getting there

Off Hwy 3A, Balfour BC, the park is located a 10 minute drive south of Kootenay Bay ferry terminal. The closest community is Crawford Bay.

Camping

Backcountry camping

At the campground there are 7 backcountry user maintained campsites. There are 6 food caches throughout the campground. This park is user-maintained and you must pack out what you pack in and follow Leave No Trace ethics.

Backcountry camping fee: $5 per person per night (age 6+). Fees for overnight camping apply year-round.

The BC Parks backcountry permit registration service allows you to purchase a backcountry camping permit before leaving home. Although this does not reserve a campsite, it provides the convenience of prepaying for your trip and not having to carry cash. We encourage all visitors to register online so we can reduce the need to collect fees in the field.

Backcountry areas

Pilot Bay backcountry

Operating season

2024: year-round

Booking required

2024: year-round

Winter season

Limited services

Service note

Year-round

Winter season note

Fees for overnight camping apply year-round.

Winter camping

Winter camping is available in this park, fees apply.

Things to do

Hiking

Excellent moderate year-round hiking in and around this park. Check our Trail Report [PDF] for bear and safety 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.

Swimming

There are swimming opportunities in this park.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park on Kootenay Lake.

Kayaking

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park on Kootenay Lake.

Fishing

Some of the best fishing for trophy Gerrard trout is nearby.

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

Wildlife viewing

There is no viewing platform but there are several natural viewing areas along the lake.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times. 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.

Waterskiing

There are waterskiing opportunities on Kootenay Lake.

Windsurfing

There are windsurfing opportunities on Kootenay Lake.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted in this park.

Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Facilities

Campfires

Campfires are allowed in the park. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. Please bring a portable stove for cooking.

Picnic areas

This park has a day-use and picnic area.

Pit or flush toilets

This park only has pit toilets, no flush toilets.

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.

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