Kekuli Bay Provincial Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Situated on the west side of Kalamalka Lake and featuring beautiful grasslands, Kekuli Bay Provincial Park offers the ideal setting for fun RV vacations. Located 11 km (7 miles) south of Vernon, off Highway 97, British Columbia, this small provincial park features beautiful trees, shrubs, and rose bushes which blossom during the spring.
Recreational opportunities available in Kekuli Bay Provincial Park include hiking and cycling, fishing for kokanee, boating and canoeing on Kalamalka Lake, flora observation, wildlife viewing, nature study, swimming, waterskiing, pet walking, photography, Interpretive Programs, and many more. The Okanagan Rail Trail which bisects the park provides good hiking and cycling opportunities along Kalamalka Lake.
Kekuli Bay Provincial Park features 73 RV campsites available by reservation and on first-come first-served basis. Four (4) campsites in the campground are equipped with electric RV hookups. Facilities and amenities available in the park include group camps, water taps, pit/flush toilets, showers, picnic areas, wheelchair accessible areas, boat launch, playground, campfire, fire pits, Information Center, and parking lots.
The name of the park, “kekuli”, was chosen from submissions by local school students who participated in a name-the-park contest. The word refers to semi-subterranean homes built by Interior Salish natives.
Kekuli Bay Provincial Park was established in 1990.
RV Rentals in Kekuli Bay Provincial Park
Transportation
Driving
Located 11 km (7 miles) south of Vernon, off Highway 97, British Columbia, Kekuli Bay Provincial Park is easy to access by RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles. A network of roads paved and gravel within the park make navigation to the different campsites and areas of interest in the park easy. There are no driving restrictions within the park.
Parking
There are four large parking areas within Kekuli Bay Provincial Park. Hence, RV campers can park their rigs at any of the parking lots, or at their respective campsites while enjoying their vacation at the park. Overnight parking is also available in the park.
Public Transportation
There are no direct public transportation services to Kekuli Bay Provincial Park.
Campgrounds and parking in Kekuli Bay Provincial Park
Campsites in Kekuli Bay Provincial Park
Reservations camping
Kekuli Bay Campground
Kekuli Bay Campground in Kekuli Bay Provincial Park features 73 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. Four (4) campsites in the campground are equipped with electric hookups for RVs, while the remaining campsites do not have RV hookup options. RV length limit in the campground is 32 ft (10 m), however, RV campers with larger rigs can contact the park ahead to find out if there is space available.
Amenities available at Kekuli Bay Campground include water tap, pit/vault toilet, restrooms with showers, firewood, access to trailheads, Information Center, and parking lots.
63 campsites in the campground are available by reservation, while 8 campsites are available on first-come first-served basis only.
Seasonal activities in Kekuli Bay Provincial Park
In-Season
Hiking/Cycling
2.6 km (1.6 miles) of gently-sloped gravel trails are available in Kekuli Bay Provincial Park for RV campers to enjoy casual and leisurely strolls. These trails take hikers through the grasslands in the park and offer opportunities to enjoy scenic views of the features in the park. Posted signs are available along the trails to guide RV campers and hikers.
Moreover, cycling opportunities are available on the roads in the park, and the use of bicycle helmets is mandatory for all that wish to ride on the park’s roads.
Fishing
Opportunities to fish for kokanee are available in Kekuli Bay Provincial Park because Kalamalka Lake is home to the fish species. Angling and fishing in the park require an appropriate fishing license. In addition to the angling opportunities, a Learn to Fish Program is offered by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC to young anglers under 16 years old. The program teaches hands-on methods of fishing in a fun way.
Boating/Canoeing
Opportunities to enjoy boating and canoeing are available on Kalamalka Lake for RV campers, and a boat launch site sits on the shore of the lake for campers to kickstart their adventures. Exploring the lake by boat is a great way to beat the summer heat and see the park from a different point of view.
Off-Season
Flora and Fauna
The grasslands that are prevalent in Kekuli Bay Provincial Park provide a natural habitat for field mice and other wildlife species that are preyed upon by raptors such as the redlisted Prairie falcon. Flora such as black cottonwood and bluebunch wheatgrass are found in the park. Western rattlesnakes are also common in the park.
Swimming
Kekuli Bay Provincial Park features a rocky swimming area located close to the boat launch and an active train track. As a result, all RV campers who wish to swim in the park are advised to exercise caution. Furthermore, no lifeguards are on duty at the park.
Waterskiing
Waterskiing is a popular activity for RV campers at Kekuli Bay Provincial Park because Kalamalka Lake is a well-known waterskiing lake. Boat rentals are available, and it's a surreal feeling to skip over the turquoise water on your skies. Just remember that the water can be cold!
