Kokanee Creek Provincial Park

The delta provides many opportunities to canoe or kayak and enjoy the abundant birdlife in the park. The lake can be accessed by the day-use/picnic areas or the boat launch at the north-east end of Sandspit beach. Kootenay Lake can have sudden wind or weather changes. Be prepared.

Kokanee Creek Paddle Sports is on site offering canoe, kayak and paddle board Rentals off the main beach.

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Kokanee, rainbow and bull trout are found in Kootenay Lake. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Check the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis for quotas and restrictions.

There are 9.5 km of easy hiking and walking trails within the park. The majority of these trails are located around the campground, visitor centre, spawning channel, lake shoreline and through the delta. A walking bridge across Kokanee Creek can link you to roads and trails to Redfish campground. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroy plant life and soil structure.

The most popular are three connected trails located on the west side of Highway 3, opposite the Sandspit campground entrance. Canyon Trail follows the east side of Kokanee Creek, passes through mature cedar/hemlock trees and leads you to a set of stairs and terraced viewing platform overlooking a canyon. Due to the narrowness of the canyon, the views of the spring runoff are spectacular. The connecting Pine and Woodland trails take you through a forest of yellow pine and birch. The trails combine to make a circle route. All the trails are considered easy to moderate. Depending which route you choose, hiking times range from 30 to 60 min.

In addition, Kokanee Glacier Park is 16 km away and contains over 100 km of beginner to advanced hiking trails in spectacular alpine terrain.

The Kokanee Nature Center is open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, serving locally roasted coffee and free Wi-Fi. Check the notices posted daily throughout the park for the activities of the day.

Programs run throughout the camping season for all ages. From Jerry Rangers to evening star gazing, there is always something being offered. For more information, please refer to Kootenay SW Parks or join us on Facebook.

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. A dog beach is beside the boat launch at the north-east end of the park. Park visitors 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.

The two day-use/picnic areas Sandspit and Redfish offer extensive sandy beaches. The water of Kootenay lake is considered cool and refreshing. Here, in shallow areas on the large sand bar the water is warmer. Sandspit beach has a lagoon, which is warm but also a bit slimy. Its popular for wading to find minnows and tadpoles but not recommended for swimming. The only roped off swimming area is at Sandspit. The sandy shoreline provides excellent opportunities for swimming, sun bathing and water skiing. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

There are waterskiing opportunities outside of the controlled area at this park.

There is a viewing platform at the end of Canyon Trail on Kokanee Creek. There is an abundant bird population on the delta or along the creek and a spawning channel for Kokanee.

There are windsurfing opportunities at this park.

There are cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities along the campsite roads and trails. If the delta freezes, you can also ice skate.

Sandspit campground contains a wheelchair-accessible campsite, flush toilet and shower stall. All roads within the park are paved.

The elevated boardwalk and viewing windows are designed for easy access for all.

A wharf to assist with launching and singlewide concrete boat launch can be found at the north-east end of the Sandspit day-use/picnic area. The 20 unit day-use parking lot can accommodate vehicles or boat trailers; no overnight parking except for registered campers. A nearby marina will keep your boat overnight. Both water skiing and windsurfing are popular activities on Kootenay Lake.

Note: Low water levels preclude boat launch use in March and April.

While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.

Cold well water is available for cooking and drinking. Nine taps are randomly located in both campgrounds.

Sandspit day-use/picnic area has two water fountains.

Redfish day-use/picnic area shares a water tap with the group sites. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

Electrical service is available in 13 sites at the Friends campground. An additional service charge of $7.00, per night, applies to these sites regardless of whether electrical service is used.

Please note: There are no fire rings in sites 137-145.

Group Site 1 is located adjacent to the Redfish day-use parking lot and can accommodate 50 visitors for camping and picnicking (must be reserved for both activities)  This site is a large circle of 10 picnic tables, large fire pit, water taps, grey water pit and can accommodate up to 8 trailers and multiple tents.  Easy access to the Redfish beach. 

Osprey Point Campground is offered for group use in the shoulder seasons.  There is a communal enclosed picnic shelter equipped with running water, dish pit, steel counter, an air tight stove and picnic tables. Contact the Park Operator for more information on how to reserve.

There are two day-use/picnic areas both located on Kootenay Lake.

The most popular is situated beside the north end of Sandspit campground. The beach is sandy, 1 km long and has a wonderful large sandbar at its south-eastern tip. There are several picnic tables along the shore line, 60 feet from the waters edge, evenly spaced among cotton wood and pine trees. The trees offer limited shade and the beach can become very hot during mid day. Behind the tables is a large, open grassy area suitable for recreational sports and family gatherings. Nearby and conveniently located are an adventure playground, toilet change house, pit toilet and six barbeque stands. Parking is available for 240 vehicles. If you want tables by the beach, come early as this beach is popular with local residents.

The smaller day-use/picnic area is the Redfish site. The access road is directly across from the Redfish campground entrance on the opposite side of Highway 3. A short drive will bring you to the 40 vehicle parking lot. This location is also where you will find the group picnic and/or group campsite with the shelter and grassy area. The beach is just a short walk from here and is approximately 300 metres long, described as a mixture of rough sand and gravel. There is no recognized swimming area or change house. A universal pit toilet is close to the beach and a water tap is in the adjacent Osprey Campground.

Both these day-use/picnic areas are popular but please remember there are no fire pits. A dog beach is beside the boat launch at the northeast end of the park.

Sandspit campground has three toilet buildings, the day-use/picnic area has one toilet/change house and a pit toilet. Redfish campground has one toilet building and a pit toilet. Redfish day-use/picnic area shares the pit toilets with the group sites.

A large adventure playground with swing set, monkey bars, slide, spring horses, and platforms is located between the Sandspit campground and day-use area. The equipment is set in pea gravel with benches and tables nearby for resting or picnicking. On one edge is a large grassy area suitable for other recreational opportunities.

A sani-station/dump, available during the collecting season is located at the Sandspit campground. The entrance is to the right of campsite #70.

Showers are available at the central toilet building in Sandspit campground located between Osprey and Chipmunk Lanes and at the toilet building in the Friends campground.

Kokanee Creek Park has 4 campgrounds, Sandspit, Redfish, Osprey Point, and the Friends campground, that offer vehicle-accessible sites. Sandspit, the largest, is located just east of the Kokanee Creek bridge on Highway 3A, while Redfish is located just west of the bridge. The Friends campground is located by the Sandspit day-use/picnic area.

Sandspit Campgound is where the majority of the facilities are concentrated. After you exit Highway 3 turn right to the park gatehouse. Staff are available to check reservations and direct you to a campsite. This campground is situated in a diverse forest of both conifers (cedar, hemlock, pine) and deciduous (cottonwood, birch, aspen) trees. The mixed forest provides plenty of shade. A blend of medium to large sites can accommodate large rigs and extra vehicles. The campsites, with 18 doubles, are evenly spaced on four parallel lanes called Gopher, Osprey, Chipmunk and Porcupine. These lanes bisect the outer lane referred to as Park Lane.

Redfish Campground has intimate, mostly shaded, small vehicle accessible sites within a cedar hemlock forest. Two of the sites have tent pads but there are no pull through or doubles.

Osprey Point has a mix of sun and shaded sites, equipped with tent pads, picnic tables and fire pits and is situated within a cedar, hemlock, birch and cottonwood forest. A communal picnic shelter with running water, dish pit, picnic tables and an air-tight stove is available for all to use. The adjacent Redfish Beach is easily accessed for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. There is a dog beach in the south west corner. Please respect the Park boundary and keep dogs under control at all times.

Friends Campground offers 39 sites close to the main beach, 13 sites have electrical service. Sites 137 to 145 have 30 Amp service and sites 147, 149, 151 and 153 have 30 and 50 Amp service. Please note: There are no fire rings at sites 137-145.

Services are offered in the high use season between May and September. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available. Park gates are located at both campground entrances. Kokanee Park Store/Marina and the Crescent Beach Resort are both a 2-minute drive from the park.

For electified sites: