Bear Creek Provincial Park is on the west side of Okanagan Lake, west of Kelowna, rather than in Kamloops. It has lakeside camping, sandy beaches and marked hiking trails, but access is limited, so plan around current park advisories.
- Location: Westside Road, west of Kelowna.
- Access: 9 km off Highway 97.
- From Kamloops: The park is about 100.5 km from Alpine Motel, a Kamloops motel.
- Park features: More than 400 metres of sandy beaches and 5 km of marked hiking trails.
Where Bear Creek Provincial Park is
Bear Creek Park sits on Okanagan Lake’s west side, west of Kelowna, in the Okanagan region. It is a regional trip from Kamloops, not a Kamloops-area park.
The landscape includes a canyon carved into bedrock by Bear Creek as it flows onto a cottonwood-lined delta. Along the lakeshore, the park has more than 400 metres of sandy beaches; its marked hiking trails cover 5 km.
How do you get to Bear Creek Park from Kamloops?
From Kelowna, the park is reached by crossing the floating bridge and taking Westside Road. The BC Parks directions place the entrance 9 km off Highway 97.
- Leave Kelowna and cross the floating bridge.
- Travel 2 km, then turn west onto Westside Road.
- Follow Westside Road for 7 km. The park entrance is just past the bridge over Lambly (Bear) Creek.
Allow time to follow the route from Kelowna; the directions do not give a driving time from Kamloops. For another regional outing, Green Lake Provincial Park is a separate day-trip option from Kamloops.
Park facilities and access
Bear Creek Park has one campground divided by Lambly (Bear) Creek, with 143 vehicle-accessible campsites, including 18 double sites. During peak season, all campsites require reservations; when the campground is open outside peak season, sites are first come, first served.
The day-use area has 12 picnic tables and parking for 80 vehicles. Turn left after entering the campground to reach it. A bathroom and change house there have wheelchair-accessible flush toilets. Cold well water for cooking and drinking is available from taps throughout the campground.
A playground beside campsites 30 and 31 has structures intended for children ages 2 to 6 and 8 to 12. The campground also has campsite fire rings, though fire restrictions can affect their use.
Seasonal activities and restrictions
Camping, beach time and hiking are among the park’s listed activities, but access and restrictions can affect what is available. The park gate is locked from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. during the operating season and is locked during the off-season.
Campfires are allowed in campsite fire rings when no fire ban applies. Check BC Wildfire Service and local or Indigenous government websites before lighting one. Do not gather firewood in the park or damage or remove flowers, trees or shrubs.
Before you set out
Bear Creek Park has limited access, and its advisories are important for planning. Check the official site before you go, including for current access conditions and any activity restrictions. BC Parks identifies Kaloya Contracting Ltd. as the park operator.
Confirm campsite arrangements before relying on a camping stay, and check fire restrictions before using a fire ring. These checks help you plan the visit around the facilities and activities currently available.
FAQs
Is Bear Creek Provincial Park in Kamloops?
No. It is west of Kelowna, on the west side of Okanagan Lake, in the Okanagan.
How far is Bear Creek Park from Highway 97?
The park is 9 km off Highway 97, reached via Westside Road.
Do you need a reservation to camp?
Reservations are required for all campsites during peak season. When the campground is open outside peak season, campsites are first come, first served.
Can you have a campfire at Bear Creek Park?
Campfires are allowed in campsite fire rings, but fire bans may apply. Check BC Wildfire Service and local or Indigenous government websites before lighting one.