Tom Skinner
The autumn shores of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park.
Words by Tom Skinner
My first visit to Kalamalka Lake was in 1958. Our family was travelling from Victoria, BC to Banff National Park, AB. I recall stopping, getting out and enjoying the view from the lookout. Fast forward to present day and it’s as vivid as it was six decades ago with its turquoise-jade colour flanked by towering greenery. The lookout remains and although it has since been moved just off the main road, the view, well, is still stunning.
Our family had the pleasure of living adjacent to the park for more than 30 years. We’ve hiked in it, ridden bikes and horses through it, and travelled on snowshoes and cross-country skied on the many designated trails. If you’ve been once, you most likely have plans to return, if you haven’t done so already. But if you’ve never been, consider this your invitation.
Tom Skinner
The lake during peak summer.
Kalamalka Lake was established as a provincial park in 1975 and is known by locals as simply Kal Park. It’s for day-use only, but I consider it a favourite destination to enjoy any season. From an ecology stand point, the park is one of the few grassland ecosystems protected in BC and is where ponderosa pines and Douglas firs stand tall, and the abundance of wildlife (such as ring neck pheasant, California quail, western rattlesnake, mule deer, white tail, cougars even black bears) call the Kal Park home.
Like many of the glacier-fed lakes throughout the mountainous region of BC, visitors still often ask the age-old question of why the lake is the colour it is. The answer is easy. Kalamalka is a marl lake. This means it contains limestone (or calcium carbonate). Come summer the lake forms crystals and when the sunlight hits it, the lake reflects turquoise, jade and other majestic shades of blue-green.
Tom Skinner
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The park is ideal for cherished family time.
Past and Present of ‘Kal Lake’
Kalamalka Lake was originally known as Chelootsoos by local First Nations. The translation means “long lake cut in the middle,” which is an apt description since the Oyama isthmus separates nearby Wood Lake from Kalamalka. It was also once called Long Lake by early settlers up until the 1950s and has been a popular recreational area to enjoy picnics, hiking, swimming, boating, water skiing and tubing. It’s also becoming a hot spot among SUP enthusiasts and curious kayakers.
Located just south of Vernon, Kal Park has three entrances. You can drive on Kidston Road to the Red Gate, which is a remnant from the days of the Coldstream Ranch, the original owners of the property. While making your way into the park from here, you’ll come to some loading chutes where cattle were once loaded up for transport. Ample parking is available and at the time of publication the lot was being expanded for added convenience. The trails at this entrance are well maintained and marked, including the one to Cosens Bay. Here you’ll find a beautiful beach, picnic tables, restrooms and other park services.
Tom Skinner
A classic fall setting.
You can also enter the park from Cosens Bay Road in Coldstream. However, unless you’re a cabin owner, you’ll have to park at the entrance, and then walk down to Cosens Bay. The third entrance is past the Red Gate, towards Lisheen Estates on Kidston Road. It’s also clearly marked by signage as well as a yellow gate. If you have small children or family members using walkers or wheel chairs, this is the best choice. There are two parking lots and the first has a paved trail down to the Jade Bay and Juniper Bay beaches, located side by side.
Enjoy a picnic on the grassy area at Jade or pass some time relaxing on the sand beach at Juniper. Both areas are clean, offer easy access to the water and have views of Rattlesnake Point (to avoid confusion it’s shown as Turtlehead on most maps).
Tom Skinner
A portion of the popular Okanagan Rail Trail.
Kal Lake Adventure and More
Spanning 3,218 hectares (8,000 acres), this multi-use park is known for its meandering hiking and mountain biking trails, birding opportunities, horseback riding, and canoeing. If you have come to cast a line, Rainbow and Lake Trout are common and a good number of Kokanee have evolved in recent years.
Historically, the lake is a source of water for farming around the Vernon region. More specifically (in addition to an array of produce), this area is known for its apple orchards, which include fresh and decadent Macintosh, Spartans and Delicious. Although the orchards have decreased in recent years, the variety of apples has increased. You’ll want to visit Davison Orchards (davisonorchards.ca) in Bella Vista or check out some of the smaller orchards, including The BX Press (thebxpress.com), a three-generation orchard with roots dating back to the 1940s.
The Okanagan has a certain allure, and fall symbolizes harvest time among food growers and wineries. Tour one of the many local wineries, or perhaps visit some of the farmer’s markets as local produce is abundant and widely available. It also a time when the treeline comes alive with the season’s bright foliage – bring a camera as you’ll be sure to capture stunning moments.
Tom Skinner
A testament of the apple orchards found in the area.
Outside of Kalamalka Lake and the various attractions, is the recently developed Okanagan Rail Trail (okanganrailtrail.ca.), an extensive hiking and biking trail system. It meanders from the north end of Kalamalka Lake (just south of Vernon), along the shores of Wood Lake and Lake Country, down to Okanagan Lake in Kelowna. Formerly owned by CN Rail, the system was two years in the development and is a great day-trip for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
Of course, RV parks are abundant. Even though Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park is day use only, other BC parks, like Ellison Provincial Park on Okanagan Lake and Kekuli Bay Provincial Park on the west side of Kalamalka Lake, offer RV camping and a series of services. There’s also nearby Dutch’s Campground, Silver Star RV Park, Wood Lake RV Park and Marina, and O’Keefe Ranch that are other ideal choices.
Regardless of where you stay, Kalamalka Lake and the surrounding area are destinations within a destination in BC’s Okanagan. Whether you plan a trip in the fall to experience the bounty of seasonal highlights or in the winter, spring and summer, you’ll be enthralled with all the activities among the region’s majestic setting.
RV Parks
Camping :
Historic O’Keefe Ranch
Vernon
(250) 542-7868
Ellison Provincial Park
Okanagan Lake, Vernon
Kekuli Bay Provincial Park
Kalamalka Lake, South of Vernon
Dutch’s Campground
Coldstream
(250) 545-1023
Sandy Beach Campground
Vernon
(250) 308-4633
Cedar Falls Campground
Vernon
(250) 558 1559
Silver Star RV Park
Swan Lake, Vernon
(250) 542-2808
Swan Lake Campground
Vernon
(250) 545-2300
Wood Lake RV Park and Marina
Lake Country
(250) 766-1881