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Okanagan
Mountain Park is a wilderness
recreation destination located on the east side of Okanagan Lake,
south of the community of Kelowna and north of the community of
Naramata, British Columbia, Canada. The 11, 000 hectare park is
home to wildlife, alpine lakes, meadows, grasslands and forests.
And from the peak of Okanagan Mountain in the park - one can see
the lake, valley and as far east as the Monashee Mountains.
In 2003 the forests and grasslands of the Okanagan
Mountain Park withstood a massive forest fire destroying many
hectares of parkland. Today, there is still evidence of the fire,
but there is also evidence of nature's will as the forest is growing
back fast and green.
The park is popular for activities like hiking,
mountain biking, backpacking, wilderness camping, horseback riding,
canoeing, boating and fishing. However, there are no roads in
the park, just trails. So... the only access to the park is via
a recreational activity like hiking, mountain biking and horseback
riding.
Some explore the park for a day while others
prepare for overnight trips staying in one of the wilderness campsites
in the park. The wilderness campsites, are rugged and include
no amenities except a pit toilet. Others explore the park via
the water route and marine campsites on the shores of Okanagan
Lake.
Wilderness backpacking is permitted at a few
lakes in the park including Divide, Victor and Baker Lakes. The
marine campsites, accessed by foot and boat, include Halfway Bay,
Commando Bay, Van Hyce Beach, Buchan Bay and Goodes Creek. In
total there are six marine campsites.
The campsites and the viewpoints in the Okanagan
Mountain Park are accessed via trails. The most popular overnight
trail is the Wildhorse Canyon Trail (22 km) which accesses the
marine campsites. The Divide Lake North Trail (20 km) is the only
horseback riding route in the park. The Mountain Goat Trail (10
km) also leads to Divide Lake but from the south end of the park.
The Border Trail (5 km) follows Dead Horse Creek and makes for
a good day hike. There are many other trails in the park. All
newcomers should acquire a map before exploring.
Fishing in the Okanagan Mountain Park is permitted
in Norman, Baker and Divide Lakes. Must have a fishing licence.
Each of the lakes are stocked with rainbow trout. Lakes are accessed
via the trails in the park. Hike in fishing only permitted. Many
fish from the shoreline but some pack in inflatable
fishing gear.
How to
Get to Okanagan Mountain Park:
Okanagan Mountain Park is easily accessed via
gravel roads in the south and paved roads in the north of the
park. The south end of the park is accessed via the community
of Naramata and the north end via the community of Kelowna.
From Kelowna travel into the community and access
Lakeshore Road. Continue traveling the road for approximately
16 kilometres to the parks parking lot. There are plenty of signs
on the route.
From Naramata travel along Chute Lake Road for
8 kilometres along rough gravel roads to a parking lot. If you
are traveling from Penticton, BC the park is 25 kilometres away.
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Okanagan
Mtn.
Okanagan
Valley 
