Kootenay. 
Know before you go
Advisories
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:
Maps and location
Getting there
This park is located in the southern interior, on Hwy 6. It is 18 km southeast of Nakusp and 26 km northwest of New Denver, a 15 or 20 minute drive.
Things to do
This park has a short, graveled walking trail from the campground to the day-use and picnic area. 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.
The beach is 100 metres long with a shale and pebble type surface. Warm water attracts swimmers and makes this a very popular swimming area. There is no roped-off swimming area.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park. Paddlers can access the lake from either the boat launch or the lake front campsites. Many users leave their canoe and kayak on the beach.
There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park. Paddlers can access the lake from either the boat launch or the lake front campsites. Many users leave their canoe and kayak on the beach.
Park visitors can enjoy summer or winter fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout. Check the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis for quotas and restrictions.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has a fun, hands on, Learn to Fish Program that teaches basic angling skills to youth under 16 years old. Ask the park operator for information.
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. There is no off leash area in this park. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to potential for problems with wildlife.
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 Summit Lake Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted.
About this park
The park was established in 1964. The campground was constructed in 1999 to allow outdoor recreation opportunities and to diversify local community tourism attractions. Summit Lake Park lies in the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket, Okanagan and Shuswap first nation traditional territories.
The park features important migration and breeding habitat for western toads, particularly on the northern end of the lake. These primarily nocturnal and terrestrial amphibians frequent the park, usually in late summer when tadpoles undergo metamorphism. In addition to the western toad habitat, a variety of ecosystems associated with wetlands and riparian areas are adjacent to the park. The flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the parks natural heritage. Please do not damage or remove them.
All animals in the park are protected under the Park and Wildlife Acts. Please care for them by not disturbing their habitat and by observing them from a distance. Also, the islands near the campground present excellent nesting opportunities for shorebirds and provide perching refuge for eagles, hawks and kingfishers. If you choose to explore these areas, please be very careful where you step and leave your dog back at camp. The forests and rocky slopes north of the park offer suitable habit for grizzly bear, mountain goat and cougar. Park users should always be aware of wildlife in the park environment. For more information on staying safe, visit the wildlife safety page.
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.
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| Park operator | This park is operated by West Kootenay Park Management Inc. |
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
