Park overview
Trepanier Park was established in 2001, to protect important water, biodiversity and recreation values, including Trepanier Creek drainage.
The Cameron Lake area is a small fishing lake pleasantly surrounded by mature forest and regenerating stands. The north and west shorelines are regenerating after a 1970 wildfire and salvage logging.
Advisories
Camping
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. There is a user-maintained campsite at the south end of Lacoma Lake and a former forest recreation site at Cameron Lake which is also user-maintained.
Practice “Leave No Trace” camping:
- Choose a camp spot that will do the least damage to vegetation.
- If you pack it in, pack it out.
- Do not damage live vegetation.
- Dispose of personal waste or waste water at least 100 metres from the lake or any creek.
Activities
There is an 11 km trail from Trepanier Creek to Lacoma Lake that is well marked from the trailhead parking area at Clover Creek to Lacoma Lake.
The first half of the trail is easy grade following an old road. The second part of the trail, has steep sections and passes through mixed evergreen and deciduous forest. There are interesting valley and canyon views. Elevation gain is about 200 m (650 ft.) Allow five to seven hours for a comfortable round trip.
The trail is not maintained regularly and may not be to BC Parks standards. 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.
Rainbow trout are found in Lacoma Lake. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Refer to the current BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis for specific catch quotas and regulations. Lacoma and Cameron lakes are in Region 8 (Okanagan).
Cycling and mountain biking is permitted in this park. For details on e-biking within Trepanier Park, see the e-biking section.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are permitted on signed or designated trails within Trepanier Park, provided they meet the definitions and criteria for e-bike use as outlined in the BC Parks cycling guidelines.
Trepanier is open to hunting during the lawful game season. See the British Columbia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for further details.
Trepanier Park covers Lacoma Creek from Cameron Lake down to Silver Creek beside Hwy 97C. It does not include Paynter Lake or Jackpine Lake. The area is roughly 24 km west of Kelowna.
Cameron Lake is two-wheel drive-accessible, right off Bear Forest Service Road.
To reach the Lacoma Lake trailhead: If coming from Peachland, take Trepanier Bench Rd off of Hwy 97 (3 km north of the traffic lights in Peachland). This road heads north from Hwy 97 for 7.5 km and passes under Hwy 97C onto Trepanier Rd. If coming from Westbank/Kelowna, take Trepanier Road exit off Hwy 97C. The exit is located approximately 6 km from the intersection of Hwy 97C (Okanagan Connector) and Hwy 97. Whether coming from either direction, the pavement ends shortly on the Trepanier Road. Once on the gravel portion of the road, continue travelling another 8.5 km to an unmarked trailhead which is located at the turnaround. Ensure you keep right on the main gravel road as the alternative routes are not passable. The road is rough and overgrown and has no regular maintenance. It requires a vehicle with good clearance (four-wheel drive highly recommended).
The nearest communities are Peachland and Westbank.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: April 18, 2001
- Size: 2,884 hectares
Nature and culture
Cultural Heritage
The area protects a prehistoric trail between the Douglas plateau and the Okanagan Valley. Fur traders also used the area as a transportation corridor.
Conservation
The park protects a remnant of the Southern Thompson Upland and includes MSdm2, IDFdk2 biogeoclimatic zones. Three blue-listed species are present: flammulated owl, western rattlesnake and yellow-bellied racer.
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.