Provincial Parks

The beauty of the Vernon area is that it is surrounded by protected provincial parklands. In our parks you can swim, boat, fish, camp, hike, bike, and the list goes on. We have three provincial parks all within minutes of Vernon. We invite you to explore them and enjoy all they have to offer.

Ellison Provincial Park

A short drive from Vernon is Ellison Provincial Park, located on the northeastern shore of Okanagan Lake. Outdoor adventurers will love the 200 hectares (495 acres) of forest, cliffs, coves and beaches. Make sure you bring your camera to capture the magnificence of this park.

Take the kids and your pets on an adventure through the park. There is a pet beach; however, pets must be on a leash at all times in the rest of the park.

Ellison has camping, picnic areas, swimming, scuba diving, a playground, showers, and is wheelchair accessible in some places.

Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park

You can explore for days at this 4,309 hectare (10,650 acre) park minutes from downtown Vernon. At Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park you can spend your day fishing, swimming, hiking, cycling or riding horses through the park. There are several kiosks at the main trailheads with great information on the area.

Relax at one of the three picnic areas or get your adrenaline pumping with some rock climbing at Cosens Bay.

Dogs are not allowed in Jade, Juniper and Cosens Bay, but are allowed on leash in other areas of the park. There is a pet beach about 1 km (.62 mi) down the Crest Trail at the east end of Cosens Bay. Please note that this area is very dry and there are rattlesnakes nearby.

**FALL 2023: Please note the Cosens Bay parking lot is closed from September 18 to early winter for improvements. BC Parks wants users to know there is no alternative parking available, and to use other access point for the park during this time. 

Kekuli Bay Provincial Park

This is a younger park, with young shade trees and a beautiful grassy area. All campsites at Kekuli Bay offer a view of Kalamalka Lake.

This 57 hectare (140 acre) park is great for canoeing, hiking, biking, boating, swimming, waterskiing, fishing and wildlife viewing. There's a boat launch here, as well as picnic areas and electrical hookups. There's a playground here for the kids, and pets are allowed, but must remain on a leash at all times.

Silver Star Provincial Park

Grab the family and the dogs and explore Silver Star Provincial Park.  It's a great place to cycle and hike and pets are allowed as long as they are on a leash. SilverStar Resort is located on the edge of the Provincial Park on private property. The gondola at SilverStar Mountain Resort makes it easy for kids and dogs to get to the top of the mountain for a leisurely hike down to the village.

For more information on where to camp, hike, bike, swim, fish and any other activity to do with our provincial parks in the area, email Tourism Vernon.