Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park
Park British Columbia park protecting Okanagan lakeshore and wildlife
Wilderness park east of Kelowna on Okanagan Lake with backcountry trails, rocky ridges and lakeshore access. Hikers, horseback riders and boaters use campsites and routes that cross forests and grassland.
Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park is a provincial park on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, protecting rugged lakeshore, forest and backcountry terrain. It is an important natural area adjacent to the city of Kelowna and is widely used for outdoor recreation.
Trail users will find a network of hiking and mountain-biking routes, steep ridgelines and lakeside viewpoints that look over Okanagan Lake. The park offers backcountry camping and wilderness access rather than developed resort-style facilities, so trips tend to be day hikes or overnight outings.
The park has seen major changes from wildfire and seasonal wildfire management; the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park Fire burned large sections of the park and nearby residential areas. Management since then has focused on access, trail restoration and natural regeneration of burned forest.
Geographically the park sits immediately east of Kelowna on the Okanagan Lake shoreline, with steep slopes rising from the lake to upland ridges and forested plateaus.
- 2003 wildfire: A large 2003 wildfire burned extensive areas of the park and nearby neighbourhoods, and many trails pass through burned and regenerating forest.
How to Get to Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park #
The main access points are off Lakeshore Road and Westbench Road west of Kelowna, British Columbia. The park has multiple trailheads and no vehicle access to many interior areas; consult BC Parks for current access advisories and trail maps.
Tips for Visiting Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park #
- Parts of the park were affected by wildfires in recent years - check current trail conditions and closures before visiting.
- For the skinner, the Myra Canyon trestles and Kelowna viewpoints are day-trip-worthy from the park's access points.
Best Time to Visit Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park #
Warm months offer the best access and water activities; check for fire bans and trail advisories during dry periods.
Weather & Climate near Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park #
Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (533 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm).
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November
November is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -10°C. The wettest month with 59 mm of rain.
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