Kalamalka Lake Park

An easy day, exactly when you need one.

park50.165, -119.316

If you're looking for an easy day with pets on leash, swimming, and cycling, Kalamalka Lake 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...

Mountain Biking
Fat Biking
Mountain biking
Scenic mountain bike ride
Invigorating hike
Gentle stroll
hiking
Hiking
Pets on leash
Swimming
Snowshoeing
Canoeing
Fishing
Wildlife viewing
Cycling
Waterskiing
Horseback riding
Hunting
Winter recreation
E-Biking

Overview

Kal Park has the largest concentration of bike trails in the greater Vernon area with trails like the Big Ed loop and the Lookout trail offering spectacular views. It includes trails for all rider levels, including the Blue flow trail Flovid and the challenging Killer King Route.

Photos

Quick Facts

Type: park
Coordinates: 50.1655, -119.3161

What you can do here

snowshoeing
Hiking
fat biking
Gentle stroll
Invigorating hike
Pets on leash
Scenic mountain bike ride
Swimming
mountain biking

Good to know

Hours & season

Park gate — This park has no gate.

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

Off-season use — Permitted.

Operating dates — January 1 to December 31 each year (as published for 2025).

Fees & reservations

Day-use pass reservation — Not required at this park (this says nothing about fees).

Day-use pass — No day-use pass is required at this park.

Getting there & parking

Located 8 km south of Vernon city centre off Highway 6.

8 km south of Vernon city centre off Highway 6.

Facilities

Picnic areas
Pit or flush toilets
Accessibility information

Picnic areas — This park offers a variety of day-use activities accessed from four main parking areas: Red Gate, Cosens Bay Gate, Twin Bays (yellow) Gate, and the Climbers Parking Lot.

Pit or flush toilets — This park has pit toilets that are maintained from April 7 to October 29. There are no flush toilets.

Day-use and camping areas — Red Gate picnic area.

Accessibility

There is accessibility information for the Twins Bay area.

Dogs & pets

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times unless at a designated pet area.

Safety & notices

This area provides habitat for a variety of snakes, including rattlesnakes.

Bear awareness — Visitors should be aware that bears inhabit the park.

Swimmer's itch — Campers and swimmers should be aware that swimmer’s itch may be present at Kalamalka Lake Park.

Cliff diving warning — Cliff diving is extremely hazardous.

Sun exposure warning — The extremely hot, dry Okanagan climate can result in overexposure to the sun.

More details

Trail difficulty: Ranging from green, blue, and black
Trail features: Flovy sections, tight switchbacks, rocky slabs, wooden bridges
Trail network length: 70km
Panoramic views: Kalamalka Lake's turquoise waters and the hillsides adorned with the golden blooms of Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Hiking: Over 14 km of trails provide access to the park’s many ecological features, viewpoints and main beaches.
Bear Valley Trail: 1 km, easy. This natural trail is accessed by following the High Rim Trail from the Cosens Bay parking, following the fence along the park boundary and climbing the small ridge.
Coldstream Trail: 2.5 km, moderate. This developed gravel path begins at the Red Gate and cuts through a forest of Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir before emerging into grasslands and descending into Cosens Bay.
Cosens Bay Trail: 2.5 km, easy. A popular hike to the beach at Cosens Bay, hikers can follow the road through the grasslands.
Crest Trail: 1 km, easy. This trail follows the height of land from the Jade and Juniper parking to Rattlesnake Point.
Grassland Trail: 1.5 km, easy. This developed gravel path leaves the Jade and Juniper parking lot and climbs through open grassland and Ponderosa pine to join the Coldstream Trail.
Juniper Trail: 1.5 km, easy to moderate. This well developed paved trail descends to the twin bays.
Swimming: Only the swimming areas in the three main bays are well marked with swim buoys.
Fishing: Please obey all posted speed and vessel restrictions. Daily kokanee quota is two.
Wildlife viewing: There is a viewing platform atop Rattlesnake Point with eight benches situated to make the most of the spectacular view.
Cycling: Mountain biking is permitted in the park, however, the beaches (Jade, Juniper and Cosens) and trails to Rattlesnake Point are not appropriate for biking due to the high levels of foot traffic.
Waterskiing: Kalamalka Lake is a popular destination for waterskiing and wakeboarding, though there is no boat launch in the park.
Horseback riding: Horseback riding is permitted in the Park. Access is located at the Cosens Bay parking area year round or from the Twin Bays parking area from Sept 15 to June 15.
Hunting: Hunting is permitted only within the areas specified on this map: Kalmalka Lake Park Hunting Map [PDF].
Winter recreation: Depending on snow levels, the trails into Cosens Bay provide un-groomed, cross-country skiing.
E-Biking: Bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are permitted on signed or designated trails within Kalamalka Lake Park.
Canoeing: There are paddling, canoeing and kayaking opportunities at this park.
Trail: Big Ed loop
Trail: Lookout trail
Trail: Blue flow trail Flovid
Trail: Stonefree
Trail: Killer King Route
Climbing: 1800m of climbing
Special notes: There are kiosks at main trailheads with interpretive information.

Day 2

Trails: Lookout, Gingerly, No Boats, Black Powder, Stone Free, Be Kind, Flovid, Twisted Sisters, Twista, Big Ed, Fraidy Cat, 36, Killer King Route

Day 1: Ascend the Outdoors

Suggested hike: Cosens Bay Trail, an easy 2.5 km hike leading through grasslands and along Red Hawthorne Creek to the beach at Cosens Bay.

Day 1

Trails: Explore all the trails at Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park

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