Set in a lush forested area of the Okanagan and offering an escape from the more crowded urban centers is the fantastic RV-friendly Mabel Lake Provincial Park. First established in 1972, Mabel Lake Provincial Park was named after Mabel Charles, who was the daughter of a Hudson’s Bay Company manager during the late nineteenth century. The park is known for its beautiful natural setting that features peace and quiet that so many visitors crave on their RV getaway.
As you enter the park you will be greeted with a picturesque mountain view and forest containing hemlock, red cedar and birch. The park is a great place to soak in the peaceful natural environment and there are also many recreational activities to do. On the shoreline of the park you will find the sandy beaches of Mabel Lake which is the main attraction to those seeking fun times during their stay. The lake is a fantastic place to swim, fish and explore via watercraft and we recommend that you check it out.
If you are looking for other activities the park is home to numerous species of wildlife, including squirrels visiting the campsites and painted turtles being spotted in Taylor Creek. If you are lucky you will be able to catch a glimpse of deer, black bear and even moose as well as bird life and water fowl. The park is also home to short self-guided trails and a large day-use/picnic area for those wanting to do some more exploring.
You have the choice of two campgrounds to stay at during your visit to Mabel Lake Provincial Park. In total there are 84 vehicle accessible campsites that are all primitive with no electrical, water or sewer hookups. Reservations are accepted and sites are also available by a first come, first serve basis. Peak season at Mabel Lake Provincial Park runs from April until October.
Mabel Lake Provincial Park is located in south-eastern British Columbia and is situated around 38 miles from the city of Vernon. The park has one main entry and exit point that is serviced by Lumby-Mable Lake Road.
The park is a great location that is not too far from common services and amenities but far enough away from towns to feel like you are out in the wilderness. The closest city to the park is Vernon and here is where you should use any services or stock up on supplies before continuing your trip to the park. Besides Vernon there are also other towns located nearby, including Lumby (around 22 miles or 36kms away), Lavington (around 29 miles or 47kms away) and the city of Kelowna (around 69 miles or 122kms).
Accessing the park should be very straightforward as the roads in and around the park are relatively flat despite the last few miles being a gravel road. The road into the campground is kept in very good condition and there are no major obstacles that you will have to navigate. During the winter the park does stay open; however, heavy snowfall can close the roads. If you do plan on visiting during the winter time make sure that you call ahead to the park office to confirm that you will be able to gain access.
There is plenty of parking available at Mabel Lake Provincial Park.
Trinity Campground is the largest of the two campgrounds at Mabel Lake Provincial Park and is also the closest campground encountered when you arrive into the camping area. The campground has a total of three loops that are set in a thick forest of cedar and hemlock. This tree cover provides sites with shade and privacy a trail runs the length of both campgrounds. All sites at Trinity consist of medium to large gravel spurs that have been raised and leveled. There are a total of 47 sites for you to choose from that are best suited to small/medium as the abundance of trees may make parking difficult for some large RVs.
All of the sites at Trinity Campground are primitive with no direct services available. Despite this there are other amenities in the campground, including water collection points, showers, toilets, beach access and a dump station that has a fee. The campground is also pet friendly and you should be able to get cell phone service on all of the major providers within the campground.
Since the campground is a popular destination in summer due to its colder temperatures we recommend that you book a reservation in advance before you begin your journey to the park. First come, first served sites are also available if reservations are not full. Camping at the Trinity Campground is available from mid-April to mid-October.
Monashee Campground is the smaller of the two campgrounds at Mabel Lake Provincial Park and is also the further campground from the main park road. The campground has a total of two loops and the sites are generally smaller than those in the Trinity Campground. The forest is also thicker that allows for more privacy between campsites. There are a total of 36 sites for you to choose from and all of the sites at Monashee Campground are primitive with no direct services available. Despite this there are other amenities in the campground, including water collection points, showers, toilets, beach access and a dump station that has a fee. The campground is also pet friendly and you should be able to get cell phone service on all of the major providers within the campground.
Since the campground is a popular destination in summer due to its colder temperatures we recommend that you book a reservation in advance before you begin your journey to the park. First come, first served sites are also available if reservations are not full. Camping at the Monashee Campground is available from mid-April to mid-October.
There is no better way to spend a hot summer day than by cooling off at the park by going for a swim in the heavenly waters of Mabel Lake. There are two sandy beaches located on the lake shoreline that you can use to gain access to the lake. Try the large sand beach that is separated from the day-use area by cottonwood trees as it has the most room to spread out on. Both swimming areas are marked by buoys and aware that there are no lifeguards at the park so swim to your ability.
Mabel Lake Provincial Park has some great boating opportunities available to visitors thanks to the Mabel Lake and well-built boat ramp. There is a double wide concrete boat launch for you to use that slopes gently into the lake. It can be found at the southern boundary of the park beside the Mabel Lake Marina. Waterskiing, canoeing, paddle boarding and motor boating popular activities. There is no guarantee that boat rentals will be available so call ahead to the park office to confirm before you arrive.
The large day-use/picnic area at Mabel Lake Provincial Park is a really great facility that we implore you to check out. Extending from the Trinity Campground to the boat launch, the lawns in the area are level, open, spacious and you will find 10 picnic tables among the cottonwood trees that separate the lawn from the beach. The tables are shady and have a great view of the lake and the adventure playground. If you are looking for a different picnic area five more tables with three fire rings can be found nearer to the boat launch. Two flush toilets and a tap are located next to the playground while two pit toilets can be found near the boat parking lot.
There are no public transport options that will take you to Mabel Lake Provincial Park.
Mable Lake is renowned as a fantastic fishing destination no matter what time of the year. Several local fishing derbies are held at the lake each year and during the spring time it is normal to see fisherman enjoying their time in the park by fishing off the beach. The main catch of choice at the park is rainbow trout as they are available all year-round. Before you cast out a line make sure that you have a relevant British Columbia fishing license.
While there are no options for long hiking within Mabel Lake Provincial Park the park does contain a short “Changing Rainforest” self-guided interpretive trail. The trail is around half a mile long (one km) and winds through shaded forest that is carpeted in moss. The trail is located between the campsites and the main road and will also give you the chance to view maturing second growth rainforest of western red cedar, hemlock and some Douglas fir. The trail will is very gentle and will only take around 30 minutes for you to complete.
Mabel Lake Provincial Park is a great place to visit for those who are looking to view some of the local wildlife on their RV vacation. The park is home to a variety of birdlife and water fowl thanks to Mabel Lake with species varying throughout the year due to migration periods. During your stay in the campground you will often see squirrels and painted turtles can also be seen at nearby Taylor Creek. Some visitors even get the chance to spot deer, black bear and even moose!
