Plan Pilot Bay Park near Kootenay Bay with safe harbour, lighthouse trails, swimming, paddling, Gerrard trout fishing, no potable water, and mooring notes.
Pilot Bay Park is off Highway 3A near Balfour, a 10-minute drive south of the Kootenay Bay ferry terminal. BC Parks describes Pilot Bay as the safest harbour on Kootenay Lake, where boaters often gather to wait out summer storms.
Although the park is primarily marine accessed, it can also be reached by road near Crawford Bay and Kootenay Bay.
Why Visit Pilot Bay Park
Pilot Bay is a Kootenay Lake stop for boaters, hikers, paddlers, swimmers, and anglers. The bay’s warm water supports swimming, and some of the best fishing for trophy Gerrard trout is nearby.
An extensive network of hiking trails runs through the park and along Pilot Peninsula. One highlight is the easy walk to the historic Pilot Bay lighthouse, which has been restored by local volunteer groups. Natural viewing areas along the lake provide places to look for scenery and wildlife, and Kootenay Lake supports canoeing, kayaking, waterskiing, and windsurfing.
Things To Do
Hike year-round on designated trails, walk to the lighthouse, swim without lifeguards, canoe or kayak on Kootenay Lake, fish for Gerrard trout with a licence, view wildlife from natural areas, waterski, windsurf, and hunt during open seasons under BC regulations.
Planning Notes
Bring drinking water because potable water is not available. This user-maintained park requires visitors to pack out all waste. Mountain biking is not permitted. Mooring buoys are for small pleasure craft only, not houseboats or large vessels. Pilot Bay and Sawmill Cove are domestic water supplies, so sewage discharge or dumping is prohibited.