Buse Lake Protected Area is a BC Parks protected area about 20 kilometres southeast of Kamloops on the old Vernon Highway. BC Parks describes Buse Lake as a favourite location for birders and naturalists.
The lake is known for shorebirds, including relatively rare American avocets attracted to the rich alkaline shoreline.
Its protected-area values are visible from both shoreline and hilltop viewpoints.
Buse Lake combines birding, a short hill hike, grassland and forest habitat, and unusual geology. The top of Buse Hill offers expansive Thompson Basin views, and BC Parks says the hike to the top from the south is relatively short and easy.
North-facing terrain above the lake rises through forested slopes to cliffs and rocky summits, including 200 metre cliff formations and an impressive detached rock tower. The south side drops into upper grassland habitat on adjacent grazing lease lands.
Natural history is the draw. High alkalinity creates habitat for brine flies and other aquatic insects and plants adapted to salt-rich environments. The lower park includes grassland with open ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forests, while upper areas include old ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, snowberry, saskatoon, and birch-leafed spirea.
Plan around birding, shorebird and waterfowl viewing, the Buse Hill hike, Thompson Basin viewpoints, rock formation photography, low-impact surface rock collecting where allowed, naturalist study, and hunting during open season.
Stay on posted trails, keep rockhounding low-impact and confined to surface collecting or chipping, confirm hunting rules, and expect sensitive alkaline shoreline habitat around Buse Lake.
