Kekuli Bay Provincial Park

An easy day, exactly when you need one.

provincial parkHwy 97, Vernon BC V1H 1G1, Canada

If you're looking for an easy day with swimming, pets on leash, and cycling, Kekuli Bay Provincial Park is a solid pick.

Not the pick for solitude or a rugged wilderness day — this is a developed, easy-access spot.

Don't leave without...

Recreational boating
Water skiing
hiking
picnic
Waterskiing
Boating
Hiking
Canoeing
Swimming
Fishing
Wildlife viewing
Pets on leash
Cycling
Interpretive programs
Kayaking
SUP

Overview

Located on a peaceful bay with calm waters, a boat ramp, campground, and popular for boating and waterskiing.

Quick Facts

Type: provincial park
Coordinates: 50.1833, -119.3403

What you can do here

Hiking
picnic
Recreational boating
Water skiing
waterskiing
Canoeing
Cycling
Fishing
Interpretive programs
Pets on leash
Swimming
Wildlife viewing

Good to know

Hours & season

Park gate — This park has a gate.

Operating dates — January 1 to December 31 (as published for the 2025 season).

Off-season use — Not permitted.

Fees & reservations

Day-use pass reservation — Not required at this park.

Reservations — camping.bcparks.ca

Day-use pass — No day-use pass is required.

Getting there & parking

The park is located 11km south of Vernon, off Highway #97, and on the west side of Kalamalka Lake. The park boundary is 2km from the Hwy 97 turn-off and the campground is 1km beyond that. The highway turn-off is well signed.

West shore of Kalamalka Lake on BC Highway 97 south of Vernon

11km south of Vernon, off Highway #97, on the west side of Kalamalka Lake.

Located off Highway 97, 11km south of Vernon, on the west side of Kalamalka Lake.

Parking is limited during the summer months.

Facilities

Picnic areas
Pit or flush toilets
Showers
Drinking water
Accessibility information
Playground
Boat launch
Electrical hook-ups
Campfires
Campground

Campground — Newly developed with young shade trees and landscaped grassy areas.

Picnic areas — Located just off the boat launch parking area with picnic tables and BBQ attachments.

Toilets — Mostly flush toilets, with a couple of pit toilets located throughout the park.

Showers — Warm showers available with separate men's and women's sides.

Drinking water — Cold water taps located throughout the park next to the flush toilets.

Playground — Multi-level playground with slides, climbing poles, and obstacle course.

Boat launch — Double-lane concrete ramp with wharf, open until first snowfall.

Campfires — Allowed with campfire rings provided; firewood can be purchased in the park.

Day-use and camping areas — Kekuli Bay boat launch, Kekuli Bay walk-in sites 74-77, Kekuli Bay Campground sites 1-73.

Boat ramp, campground, playground

Picnic areas — Located just off the boat launch parking area with four picnic tables on cement pads.

Showers — Warm showers available with separate facilities for men and women.

Playground features — Plastic, multi-level playground with two slides, climbing poles, and a small obstacle course.

Boat launch details — Located on a rocky point, open until the first snowfall, with a double-lane concrete ramp and a wharf.

Picnic areas — Located just off the boat launch parking area with four picnic tables.

Toilets — Mostly flush toilets, with a couple of pit toilets throughout the park.

Drinking water — Cold water taps located throughout the park.

Playground — Plastic, multi-level playground with slides and climbing poles.

Boat launch — Double-lane concrete ramp open until the first snowfall.

Campfires — Allowed with campfire rings provided at each campsite.

Campground — A newly developed campground has been added to the area which formerly consisted only of a boat launch.

Dogs & pets

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.

Pets must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings.

Rules

Cycling policy — Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted.

Campfire policy — Campfires are allowed with rings provided at each campsite. Firewood can be purchased in the park.

E-bikes policy — Bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Kekuli Bay Park.

Contact

Phone — 236-970-7815

More details

Hiking: There are 2.6km of gravel walking trails through the grasslands around the campground. The terrain is gently sloped.
Canoeing: Canoeing and Kayaking is permitted on Kalamalka Lake.
Swimming: The swimming area is rocky. Use caution due to proximity to active train track and boat launch.
Fishing: Please obey all posted speed and vessel restrictions. Daily kokanee quota is two.
Wildlife viewing: The whole campground has fantastic views of Kalamalka Lake. There are benches located by the playground that also overlook the lake.
Cycling: Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia. E-bikes are not allowed on the trails within Kekuli Bay Park. They are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
Waterskiing: Kekuli Bay is a boater’s destination. Kalamalka is a very popular lake for waterskiing.
Interpretive programs: The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has a fun, hands on, Learn to Fish Program that will teach basic angling skills to youth under 16 years old.
Former name: Kalamalka West Provincial Park
Established: 1990
Size: 57 hectares (140 acres)
Views: All campsites offer great views of Kalamalka Lake.
Hiking trails: 2.6km of gravel walking trails through the grasslands around the campground.
Canoeing and Kayaking: Permitted on Kalamalka Lake.
Swimming area: Rocky, with caution advised due to proximity to active train track and boat launch.
Fishing: Daily kokanee quota is two.
Wildlife viewing: Fantastic views of Kalamalka Lake and bird watching opportunities.
Cycling: Bicycles must keep to roadways; e-bikes restricted to park roads.
Waterskiing: Kalamalka is a popular lake for waterskiing.
Interpretive programs: Learn to Fish Program for youth under 16 years old.
Electrical hook-ups: Four vehicle accessible campsites with electrical hook-ups, reservable.
Swimming area: Rocky. Use caution due to proximity to active train track and boat launch.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Fantastic views of Kalamalka Lake and bird watching opportunities, especially in the spring and fall.
Waterskiing popularity: Kalamalka is a very popular lake for waterskiing.
Interpretive programs: The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC offers a Learn to Fish Program for youth under 16 years old.
Electrical hook-ups: Four vehicle accessible campsites with electrical hook-ups, offering both 15amp and 30amp service.
Wildlife viewing: Fantastic views of Kalamalka Lake with bird watching opportunities.
Interpretive programs: Learn to Fish Program by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC for youth under 16.
Electrical hook-ups: Four vehicle accessible campsites with electrical hook-ups.
Operating dates (2025): 2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31.
Okanagan Rail Trail: Bisects the park near the water, providing walking or cycling opportunities.
Limited shade: Lake breezes cool the campground in the evening.

Highlights in this park

Shade trees: Many young shade trees were planted and the grassy areas between the sites are beautifully landscaped.
Views: All campsites offer great views of Kalamalka Lake and offer the warmth of the sun in the spring and fall.

Special notes

Okanagan Rail Trail: The Okanagan Rail Trail bisects the park near the water, providing easy walking or cycling opportunities north and south along Kalamalka Lake.

Things to do

Trails: There are 2.6km of gravel walking trails through the grasslands around the campground.

About this park

Cultural heritage: The park name “kekuli” was chosen from submissions by local school students who participated in a name-the-park contest. Kekuli refers to semi-subterranean homes built by Interior Salish natives.
History: Established as a park on March 8, 1990.
Conservation: The grasslands surrounding the campground provide habitat for field mice and other food sources for raptors like the red listed Prairie falcon.
Nest platform: There is a nest platform north of the playground visible on the drive into the park.
Wildlife: Also found in the park is the blue listed Western rattlesnake and two red listed plants, Bluebunch wheatgrass and Black cottonwood.

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