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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
Park
Info:
Virtually at the back door of the City of Vernon, this fine
example of north Okanagan grassland is dotted with ponderosa
pine and groves of Douglas-fir. The spring wildflower show
is truly spectacular. The largely undeveloped park has an
all season appeal to those interested in its natural setting.
The sloping, paved trail which wanders down to the beautiful
private beaches, is filled with informative signs that let
you know about the flora and fauna along the trails; in winter,
cross-country skiers enjoy the wild beauty here.
A variety of animals, bird-life and reptiles and plant-life
reside in this mosaic of grassland communities. To date, 432
varieties of vascular plants have been identified in the park,
a rare find in such a small area. This peaceful park is ideal
for the study and appreciation of natural history, all year
round.
Park
Size: 978
hectares
Special
Notes:
- Cliff diving is extremely
hazardous. Projecting rock shelves and debris are often hidden
just below the surface.
Hard impacts with water can empty the lungs of air resulting in serious
injury, rapid sinking and possible drowning.
Dogs are not allowed in Jade Bay, Juniper Bay and Cosens Bay, except
in the designated area at the eastern end of Cosens beach. They must be on leash
in all other areas of the park.
- The extremely hot, dry
Okanagan climate can result in overexposure to the sun. Visitors should
use a sunscreen and wear a hat during long periods in the sun.
Management
Planning:
Management
Planning
Location:
Located
8 km south of Vernon city centre off Hwy 6.
Map/Brochure:
Any maps listed are for
information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be
used for navigation.
Nature & Culture:
- History - Established
11 September 1975.
- Cultural Heritage - The grasslands
and bluffs of the park were traditionally used by the Okanagan Indian
Band. Kekuli pits and six sites of lithic artifacts are located
in the park along with evidence of small village clusters of pithouses
and a larger cultural village. Cosens Bay was the site of a World
War Two mortar practice range.
- Conservation - Ponderosa
pine and groves of Douglas-fir are found here. To date, 432 varieties
of vascular plants have been identified in the park, a rare find in
such a small area. Included is the red-listed Flat-topped broom-rape.
The grasslands above Cosens Bay are part of an ecosystem that is rapidly
disappearing in the Okanagan Valley. Kalamalka Lake is one of a handful
of unique bodies of water known as marl lakes. When the lake warms
in summer, calcium carbonate, or limestone, forms crystals that reflect
sunlight and create its distinctive blue and green colours.
- Wildlife - There is an abundance of rare and endangered wildlife in this small park. White-tailed deer, mule deer, mink, bobcat, coyote and red fox occur in the park. Blue-listed mammals include the Western harvest mouse and Townsend's big-eared bat. A great spot for birdwatchers, the park provides habitat for the Canada goose, Canyon wren, White-throated swift, Western screech owl and Flammulated owl, all of which are blue-listed species. The variety of reptiles here is vast, including pacific rubber boa, western rattlesnake, western yellow-bellied racer, gopher snake, northeastern garter snake, common garter snake, western painted turtle, Great Basin spadefoot toad, and northern alligator lizard. There is even a unique insect, the Immaculate green hairstreak.
- General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
Visitor
Safety:
- This
area provides habitat for a variety of snakes, including
rattlesnakes.
This is no reason to avoid the area, just remember to
wear heavy pants and high boots and avoid
walking in the long grass and putting hands and feet
into crevices that you can't see into. People who encounter
rattlesnakes along trails should detour around them
and go
on their way. Rattlesnakes will not chase after people
and cannot strike beyond the length of their body.
- Visitors should be aware that bears inhabit the park.
Visitor
Safety Information (park
safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)
Reservations:For
parks that accept reservations,
all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover
Camping.
No camping at this park.
Explore
Parks: Fees, park listings, what
you should know before you go and other useful links.
Contact
Information:
Quality Recreation Ltd.
E-mail address: quality-recreation@shaw.ca
Phone: (250) 545-1560
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No
vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
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No
wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping.
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No
group campsites.
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Day-use
Area Vehicle Parking Fee:
$1.00 per vehicle / hour to a maximum of $3.00 per vehicle per/day. For information about yearly parking passes, or further information
about parking fees, click
here.
This
park offers a variety of day-use activities accessed
from three main parking areas: Red Gate, Cosens Bay
and Jade and Juniper Bays.
Red
Gate has parking for approximately six vehicles.
This location consists of an information shelter
just inside the gate and trails that access the upland
portions of the park and also loop around to link
with both the Cosens Bay and the Jade and Juniper
Bay parking areas. The trail to the other two parking
areas is
wide and easy to follow, while other trails are less
developed. The trails from Red Gate are ideal for
hiking, walking dogs on leashes, and biking.
Cosens
Bay has a space for approximately 20 vehicles.
This is the closest parking area to Cosens Bay. Although
a dirt road carries on into the park it is for through
traffic only for those accessing private properties
within the Protected Area. A newly constructed 2.5
km trail leads from the parking lot to day use facilities
at Cosens Bay. There is an information shelter and
a pit toilet at the start of the trail. Hiker access
to the Okanagan High Rim trail is also from this
parking area. Cosens Bay has a large beach of coarse
sand that extends into the water, making swimming
a treat. Picnic tables are situated along the beach
beside the fringe of cottonwood trees that separate
the beach from the surrounding grasslands. There
are pit toilets where the trail reaches the beach.
The trail to Cosens Bay is ideal for hiking, walking
dogs on a leash, biking, or horseback riding.
Jade and Juniper Bays is the largest developed day
use area and very popular in the summer. It has two
parking lots capable of holding 160 cars.There are
information shelters and a wheelchair accessible pit
toilet near the parking area. A 600m paved trail runs
down a gradual slope to Juniper Bay. There is a bench
along the way. At Juniper Bay there are 11 tables on
cement pads spread out across an irrigated lawn shaded
by a few large Ponderosa pines . There is a BBQ stand
beside one of the tables. The tables and lawns overlook
the large beach of fine sand which is a great spot
for swimming on a hot Okangan day. Shrubs and trees
cover the small rocky headland at one end of the bay.
Also situated on the headland just off the lawn is
a stone and concrete interpretive display with information
on native vegetation and wildlife.
The
trail to Jade Bay splits from the paved trail about
20 meters from the parking lot. This is a wide gravel
trail with a moderately steep slope. It is about
500 meters to the beach. The trail passes through
Ponderosa
pine with a thick under story of young Douglas fir
and shrubs. There is a pit toilet beside the trail
50 meters before the beach. A narrow pebbly beach
is rimmed by grass, on which are four picnic tables.
The
beach is smaller than at Juniper Bay. A short trail
along the lake links the two day use areas. Jade
and Juniper Bay is ideal for hiking and beach activities.
A
pet beach is accessed from the upper parking lot
along the Crest Trail.
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The
pit toilet at the Jade/Juniper parking lot is wheelchair
accessible as well as one of the picnic tables at Juniper
Bay. The paved trail from the parking lot leads right
to the table that sits on a paved pad.
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Drinking
water is only available at the parking lot and at Juniper
Bay beach.
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This
park only has pit toilets (that are maintained from April
1st through October 31)- no flush toilets. |
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No
showers.
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No
sani-station/dump facilities.
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Campfires
are not permitted.
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There are no electrical hook-ups in this park |
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There
are kiosks at main trailheads with interpretive information,
but there are no regularly scheduled interpretive
programs.
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Over
14 km of trails provide access to the park's many
ecological
features, viewpoints and main beaches. Click
here for trail information.
For your own safety and the preservation of the park,
obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting
trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
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This
park does not have a playground. |
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Only
the swimming areas in the three main bays are well marked
with swim buoys. Other pocket beaches are unmarked.
There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
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There
are paddling, canoeing and kayaking opportunities at
this park. The shoreline is dotted with secluded coves
ideal for picnics and swimming.
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This
park does not have a boat launch.
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Please obey all posted speed and vessel restrictions.
Daily kokanee quota is 2. Anyone fishing or angling
in British Columbia must have an appropriate
licence.
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Mountain
biking is permitted in the park, however, the beaches
(Jade, Juniper and Cosens) and trails to Rattlesnake
point are not appropriate for biking due to the high
levels of use by hikers/walkers. Elsewhere in the park,
please stay on trails and watch for other users. Bicycle
helmets are mandatory in British Columbia. A bike rack
is located at the Jade/Juniper Bay trailhead.
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Horseback
riding is permitted in the Cosens Bay Valley, Bear
Valley
and Rattlesnake Hill portions of the park found between
the Coldstream Trail and the Cosens Bay parking
lot. Horses may access Kalamalka Lake at the eastern
end of Cosens Bay only.
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Pets/domestic
animals must be on a leash at all times and
are only
allowed on Pebble Beach accessed from the Crest Trail
and the eastern end of Cosens Bay. They are not
allowed in any other beach areas. You are responsible
for their behaviour and must dispose of their
excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable
for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues
and the potential for problems with bears.
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or
other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential
for problems with bears.
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There
is a viewing platform atop Rattlesnake Point with eight benches situated
to make the most of the spectacular view.
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Depending
on snow levels, the road or trails into Cosens Bay provide cross-country
skiing. Other trails may lead through the grasslands above the bay.
The numerous trails in the park are great for snowshoeing providing an opportunity
for winter exploration in a safe setting.
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No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
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No
windsurfing opportunities. |
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Kalamalka
Lake is a popular destination for waterskiing, though there is no boat
launch in the park.
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No
hunting in the park. |
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No
climbing or rock climbing opportunities. |
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No
spelunking or caving opportunities. |
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No
cabins, yurts or lodges for public use. |
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