Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park
Looking down at Cosens Bay and the glorious colors of Kalamalka from the Sidewinder Trail | Cosens Bay Trail
Shuswap Adventure Girl
One of the things I absolutely LOVE about living in the Shuswap is that in any direction we travel, there is something totally new and beautiful to be discovered! It is so fun and interesting to hike the mountains and hills of an entirely different terrain and to be inspired by the unfamiliar landscape of a new trail wandering a new forest.
Take a short trip south of the Shuswap and find yourself in the gorgeous Kalamalka Provincial Park. I promise you will return time after time to explore more in this special slice of Okanagan heaven!
Jade Bay near Rattlesnake Point in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park
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Lake of a Thousand Colors…
Kalamalka Lake is known as the “Lake of a Thousand Colors.” It is one of the prettiest lakes around and offers exceptional paddling, boating, beaching, swimming, hiking, and more! The color of the water is truly something else! It boasts a brilliant turquoise blue and green color spectrum that glimmers in the sunshine; it is nothing short of a tropical-like dream! It is so surreal and impressive that the noteworthy National Geographic Society named it one of the 10 most beautiful lakes in the world!
Kalamalka is known as a Marl lake, hence the turquoise blue color of the water.
“Marl” lakes have high concentrations of calcium carbonate minerals or limestone deposits in their sediments, creating the white sand look in their shoals. When temperatures rise in the summer, the dissolved limestone crystallizes, creating sparkling crystals in the water that reflects the sunlight, producing pure luminescent magic!
Other common examples of Marl lakes in B.C are White Lake (Shuswap) and Boya Lake (Stikine Region of Northern B.C.)
Cosens Bay
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White Lake in Shuswap B.C. is a well renowned and a beautiful example of a Marl lake
Read more about beautiful White Lake and its hiking trails here! White Lake
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The Provincial Park…
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park is one of the top tourism destinations in the Okanagan Valley, and visitors from all over Canada adorn it. The park was established on September 11, 1975, and is approximately 9000 acres!
The illustrious park has a huge network of well-established and well-maintained hiking trails that wander through big and beautiful stands of ponderosa pine, interior Douglas-fir and open grasslands. The sun beats down and warms the land! Amazing views of Kalamalka Lake and the surrounding area are at every turn!
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park
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The Sidewinder Trail heading down to Cosens Bay
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Personally, I have just started my adventure bucket list for the Vernon Area in the past couple of years, and no trail nor mountain-so far has left me disappointed! Quite the opposite! From the ColdstreamValley's volcanic remains to the diverse ridges and effervescent views of Kal Lake to the farmland passages' historical stories, the gorgeous North Okanagan valley has it all.
We have recently returned three times in a row to hike around Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and can’t wait to go again!
The amazing lava spires of the Rim Rock Trail in The Coldstream Valley
Read more about this amazing hike here! Rim Rock Trail
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Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park
Here is what we have discovered…
Cosens Bay Trail & the Sidewinder
Cosens Bay Trail was a welcoming, sunny, warm, summery hike for us coming from the cooler temps and snow-capped mountains of the Shuswap! We meant to park at a completely different parking lot and hike a completely different trail but got a little mixed up! There are so many trailheads and parking lots in this park! Despite the plans' change, we were just happy to be there and decided to ask a lovely local where we should hike. She pointed us to this beautiful beach trail. We loved the meandering grassland descent down to the water in Cosens Bay and were happy to find a place to let the dog play around. Cosens Bay is a beautiful beach with all the amenities you could expect from a provincial park, including a designated dog beach.
We took the Sidewinder Trail back up and loved how it climbed up through a pretty ponderosa forest. The views of the lake were gorgeous, and we even bumped into a few deer on the trail!
All-in-all we really enjoyed this hike! The pit stop at the beach was great and would be amazing in the summer heat. Overall this was about 7 km and pretty easy going! A great one for the family!
Cosens Bay Trail. A nice, wide and easy going trail through the grasslands and forest.
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Me and my little Shuswap Adventure Girl! The beach pit stop is a perfect addition when hiking with kids!
Cosens Bay. The trail leads you down to this beautiful beach!
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The dry ponderosa pine forest
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Rattlesnake Point | Juniper, Crest, and Jade Trail
Now here’s the cream of the crop for a great family, tourist, and visitor destination! Rattlesnake Point, or Turtle Head Point, is at the tip of a rocky and exposed peninsula where you will find the famous old-growth Juniper tree! The views of Vernon, Kalamalka Lake, and the surrounding area are expansive and incredible!
The lake's brilliant shimmering crystal waters below remind you that THIS is why they call it beautiful British Columbia! We have boated around this scenic and popular point and watched the bold and brave cliff jumpers in action. Views to the west provide vistas of the Twin Bays: Juniper and Jade Bay.
Take the Juniper trail down and spend some time exploring these beautiful beaches!
The total distance for us was maybe 4 km, and we had five kids with us ranging from ages 2.5-8 years old; they all hiked it themselves. We were happy to have three adults, though, to help monitor and guide them near the cliff edges! A destination we will certainly be returning to!
The cliff side trail leading to Rattlesnake Point
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My kids and I loved this trail!
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Views over Kalamalka Lake from Rattlesnake Point
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The Juniper, Crest and Jade Trail
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Cougar Canyon
I have to say that Cougar Canyon has been my favorite hike so far within the Kalalmalka Provincial Park.
Its amazing views of the valley, the wild and unbelievable rock faces and formations, and the descent down into the lush, high-walled, narrow canyon make this a unique and awesome destination hike! This is a rock climbers paradise and you have the honor of watching these incredible people mastering their respectable sport! Such a treat and the kids absolutely loved this aspect of this hike.
The trail consists of a beautiful forested trek, and then an open, rocky climb up with views over Kalamalka Lake and Rattlesnake Point. Further on there are some extreme cliffs and rocks with little goat trails to adventure on and around- obviously safety first here. There is a junction at the top of the climb, and you must go BOTH ways! Both ways are totally rewarding in different ways! Head upwards to enjoy panoramic views of the valley and rock faces while peering off the edges down into the canyon! At the trail junction, head down into the canyon floor, where a whole new experience awaits you!
Kid-friendly? Yes and no. We had 5 little kids with us, ages ranging from 2.5 to 8. They all did amazing and enjoyed the hike. The little one was packed in and out for the most part. And a close eye and lots of guidance are in order for the kids around the cliff edges. Also, educate kids on rattlesnakes and what to watch for when grabbing rocks and boulders and climbing around. Is it a trail I would go on alone with my three little kids? No. With the whole family, which includes dad or another adult? Yes
Cougar Canyon is approx. 6 km return trip, but you can make it shorter or longer depending on how much time and distance you spend exploring the gorgeous canyon! The road into the trailhead is a little narrow and dirt- like a forest service road, and there is a big parking lot with an outhouse and proper trailhead.
View from a lookout at Cougar Canyon
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At this junction post, take both ways!
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Amazing rock climbers!
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Exploring around the rocks is so much fun here!
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Such gorgeous and unique adventures to be had at Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park! These are only three of the vast network of trails offered all within this one magnificent park! The community of Vernon and the area are so lucky to have this at their doorsteps!
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park is located 5 miles (8 km) south of Vernon off Highway 6 via Kalamalka Road.
