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Home  /  Vaseux Lake Provincial Park

Vaseux Lake Provincial Park

Vaseux Lake Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. The park is situated 4 km south of Okanagan Falls on Highway 97 in the south Okanagan. The park plays a key role in educating and providing access to important conservation values and has a responsibility to maintain these activities

This park provides preserves an abundant wildlife population. The lake provides promising fishing opportunities for large mouth bass, rainbow trout and carp. In winter there are great opportunities for skating, ice-fishing, and ice-boating.

Excellent wildlife viewing area by Highway 97 between Oliver and Okanagan Falls. Best viewing in spring and fall. Look for mountain goats, California big horn sheep and a wide variety of bird species. Trails provide access to the nearby Vaseux Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary which is managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service.

Special Features: National waterfowl sanctuary, bluffs that form California bighorn sheep habitat.

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing - Vaseux Lake is perfect for canoeing and kayaking due to its relatively small size and vast amount of shoreline bird habitat.

Cycling - 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 Vaseux Lake Provincial Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted as outlined in the Biking in BC Parks guidelines. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.

Fishing - The lake provides promising fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, rainbow trout and carp. The two Vaseux “Lagoons” on the west side of Okanagan River above McIntyre dam are included in the April 1 to June 30 spring closure. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. For information about freshwater fishing, including regulations, restrictions and limits, please check the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis.

Hiking - 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.

Pets on Leash - Pets/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.

Swimming - There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. There are over a thousand square meters of beach extending the length of the entire campground and along the lakeshore to the Wildlife Center in a narrow band of coarse sand and grass.

Wildlife Viewing - There are viewing platforms in the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada Waterfowl Sanctuary just north of the campground. The platforms are at ground level along the boardwalk overlooking openings in the thick rushes. They are equipped with benches for bird watching and taking in the beautiful scenery. There is an enclosed two-storey viewing platform at the end of the boardwalk, also for bird watching. It affords a protected vantage point for viewing the variety of waterfowl on the lake. Though outside the park, the boardwalk and viewing platform are commonly used by park visitors since the gravel parking area is within the park boundary. The Vaseux Lake area is managed cooperatively by the Ministry of Environment and the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada along with the Nature Trust of British Columbia for its immense wildlife values.

Winter Recreation - Ice skating is possible on Vaseux Lake.

Facilities Available at this Park

Accessibility - One of the pit toilets is wheelchair-accessible. The road in the campground is paved and fairly flat. Accessibility information is available for this park.

Campfires - While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park 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. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.

Drinking Water - A hand pump is available in the park. Interior Health has issued a permanent “boil water” advisory on this source.

Picnic Areas - This park has a day-use/picnic area located off the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada Waterfowl Sanctuary parking lot. There are two pit toilets visible from the gravel parking lot. The two picnic tables are down a short path to the lake in a small grassy area surrounded by thick shrubs. There is an information kiosk here with facts about the wildlife in the area.

Pit or Flush Toilets - This park has four pit toilets – no flush toilets.

Vehicle Accessible Camping - This park offers 12 vehicle-accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis; campsite reservations are not accepted. Fees are cash only and are self-registration. Most of the campsites are right on the lake. They are large with gravel pads and are fairly private. Open grassy areas separate some of the sites. If the campground is full, campers may be able to find a spot at Inkaneep Provincial Park located minutes away.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $18.00 per party/night

BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $9.00 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

Winter Camping - Camping is permitted in the off season, but as the gates are closed, this would be on a walk in basis as long as the weather allows. Please note, no services are provided.
Winter Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $11.00 per party / night

*Thank you to BC Parks for the above information.

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