Kalamoir Regional Park | Desert Affection
This is the accessible dock with kayak/canoe launch…..the first one I have seen around that is fully accessible!
Shuswap Adventure Girl
What a delightful family hike! We were so happy to have had the opportunity to explore the beautiful Kalamoir Regional Park with our kids and family. We visited West Kelowna from the Shuswap to see the kids Grandma and Grandpa for the Thanksgiving weekend and owe this new and fun experience to them! We had hiked Sugarloaf Mountain the day before and were looking to do another hike in the area but at a much more relaxed pace (and elevation!). Kalamoir was a nice, relaxing and super scenic trail nestled amongst the shores and surrounding hillside of Okanagan Lake.
Private beach just off the Waterfront trail on Okanagan Lake
Shuswap Adventure Girl
We started our fun journey on the Waterfront trail and then continued up to the Upper Rim trail. The Waterfront trail is great for all abilities including small kids and strollers. There are lots of neat little spots to dip down onto a beach and go for a swim! The flat pathway leads through a forest of Black Cottonwood and Ponderosa Pines. The trails boast natural features like caves, scree slope, and igneous rock formations. After a family lesson in Poison Ivy, we continued on to the more difficult Upper Rim trail.
I would not consider this trail difficult at all but you do gain a bit of elevation and there are some steep edges, narrow sections, and drop-offs. The trail climbs upwards and gets the heart beating!
We found a geocache that made the kid’s day! They traded in their feathers and rocks for some junkie kinder egg toy and off we went. We were all in awe of the flora and fauna of the area! I felt like we were in a different world! I guess we are not used to hiking in a desert, but it was incredibly beautiful and very interesting. Perhaps our favorite was the cute little Prickly Pear cacti that are growing everywhere! Watch out, or you will step right on these little guys, and apparently, they are much like the Teddy Bear cactus of Arizona and will burrow into the soles of your sneakers! Which is not fun, I once had a Teddy Bear cactus burrow into my sneaker as a kid.
Prickly Pear Cacti - Kalamoir Regional Park
Shuswap Adventure Girl
I loved how the Upper Rim trail wound along the hillside and the never-ending views of the lake soared in front of you the whole way. At some spots, the trail ahead appeared as though it was just disappearing into the sunshine and sparkly waters. When we came across a large volcanic rock face, my little guy climbed up and couldn’t believe he was “climbing a volcano”. You also have the pleasure of viewing a Miner Bee colony that is in a protected little area off to the side of the trail. Lots to chat about on this trek!
We had the absolute perfect weather for this adventure. I can’t really imagine it being all that enjoyable in the height of the summertime heat but at least you can swim before, during, or afterward! The Upper Rim trail is pretty much fully exposed to the elements. I have read that the spring and summertime brings a feast for the eyes in desert wildflowers which includes the Arrowhead Balsam Root and Sagebrush Mariposa Lilies, also the Oregon Grape. I can see a summertime sunrise hike through this park to be pretty incredible!
Volcanic rock along the grassy hillsides - Waterfront trail
Shuswap Adventure Girl
The winding Upper Rim trail - Kalamoir Regional Park
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Category: Various loops and trails, scenic w/views. Some steep edges
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Distance: Various
Sunnyside Trail: 0.63 km (moderate)
Upper Rim Trail: 1.4 km (moderate)
Waterfront Trail: 1.5 km (easy)
Mike Passmore Trail: 0.64 km (more difficult)
Directions: Turn off Highway 97 S onto Boucherie Road. Turn left onto Douglas Road, right onto Thacker Road, and left onto Collens Hill Road, the parking lot is at the bottom of Collens Hill Road.
