| Kalamalka
Lake Provincial Park is a recreation
destination park on the shores of Kalamalka Lake in Coldstream
which is located south of the community of Vernon, BC in the North
Okanagan Valley. The 978 hectare park was established in 1995
and, today, it is best known as a trail and beach park.
The Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park in the Okanagan
Valley is a mixture of desert grasslands, wetlands, canyons and
forests filled with ponderosa pine, black cottonwood and douglas-fir
trees. The highlights of the park include the large lake, the
sandy beaches and the network of trails.
Swimming, canoeing, picnicking and suntanning
are popular in the park because of the green-blue waters of Kalamalka
Lake, the secluded coves and the sandy beaches. Hiking, biking,
jogging, horseback riding and cross country skiing are enjoyed
in the park because of the large network of paved and gravel trails.
The network of loop trails and connector trails
lead to three main bays located on Kalamalka Lake. The bays are
named Jade, Juniper and Cosen Bays. Jade Bay is less populated,
more private and includes a sandy beach. Juniper Bay is larger,
more open and therefore more popular thus providing more amenities
like picnic tables, a swimming area, grass lawns, some pit toilets
and viewing benches.
The trails in the park vary. They vary in condition
and in length. Many are paved trails and some are gravel trails.
Some trails are short, easy grade paved walking routes with viewing
benches and interpretive signs explaining the diverse wildlife,
flora and fauna located in the park. Trails like the well maintained
Juniper, Grassland and Crest Trails.
Other trails in the Kalamalka Lake Provincial
Park are longer and involve elevation hiking leading to lookouts
and viewpoints like Turtles Head Point and Rattlesnake Hill. And
then there are trails which connect to other longer trails leading
out of the park like the Okanagan High
Rim Trail and the Deep Lake Trail. In total the trail network
in the park stretches 14 kilometres.
The Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park experiences
very hot temperatures in the summer months creating very dry conditions.
The wildlife and the landscape in the park have adapted to the
conditions. Wildlife spotted in the park include bear, coyote,
red squirrel, deer, mink, northwestern chipmunk, bobcat and red
fox.
Reptiles tend to enjoy the dry climate the most
in the park. Reptiles in the park include northeastern garter
snake, western painted turtle, western rattlesnake, pacific rubber
boa, western yellow-bellied racer, gopher snake, common garter
snake, spadefoot toad, and northern alligator lizard.
It is important to note dogs are not permitted
in the park except at Cosens Bay.
How to Get to Kalamalka
Lake Provincial Park:
Kalamalka Lake Park is located 7 km south of
the community of Vernon, BC off of Hwy 6 in Coldstream. Access
to trails and parking lots are on Kidston Road, Cunliffe Road
and Cosens Bay Road. If all else fails follow the signs from Highway
#6 to the park.
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Kalamalka
Vernon
