Kalamalka Lake Park is eight kilometres south of Vernon, bordering the District of Coldstream. BC Parks describes a North Okanagan grassland landscape with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spring wildflowers, marl-lake colours, and year-round natural history interest.
The park now covers 3,218 hectares after Kalamalka Lake Protected Area became part of the park in 2008.
Kalamalka Lake Park is a major trail, beach, and nature-study park. More than 14 kilometres of trails lead to ecological features, viewpoints, and beaches. Routes include Bear Valley, Coldstream, Cosens Bay, Crest, Grassland, and Juniper trails, with Rattlesnake Point offering a viewing platform and benches.
The park protects grassland communities, rare plants, cultural sites, and Kalamalka Lake's distinctive blue-green colour, created when calcium carbonate crystals form in warm water and reflect sunlight. Spring wildflowers are a highlight. Kiosks at main trailheads provide interpretive information.
Recreation includes swimming at marked main bays, paddling, kayaking, fishing with kokanee limits, mountain biking on designated trails, horseback riding from specific access points, waterskiing on Kalamalka Lake from launches outside the park, hunting only in mapped areas, snowshoeing, and ungroomed skiing.
Plan around hiking, Cosens Bay, Jade and Juniper beaches, Rattlesnake Point views, paddling, mountain biking, e-biking on designated trails, horseback riding, birdwatching, spring wildflowers, and winter trail use.
Watch for rattlesnakes, hot Okanagan sun, bears, swimmer's itch, and cliff-diving hazards. Dogs must be leashed except at designated pet areas, and mountain bikes are not appropriate on beaches or Rattlesnake Point trails.
