A popular B.C. park is home to a lake with crystal-clear waters that look like the tropics.
Located in what BC Parks calls "the heart of cattle country," Kentucky-Alleyne Park feels like a secret oasis, featuring two conjoined lakes with stunning, turquoise waters, ideal for swimming and a variety of aquatic activities. Kentucky Lake and Alleyne are considered separate bodies of water, although they are connected.
Douglas Lake Ranch surrounds the park and is home to Canada's largest cattle ranch. As they journey past the grasslands, visitors will be awestruck by the shimmering bodies of water.
Find out everything you need to know to plan a trip from Vancouver to Kentucky-Alleyne Park.
Kentucky-Alleyne Park: When is it open?
The park is generally open May 10 to Sept. 29, although the opening dates may vary based on weather conditions.
The campsite's quiet hours are 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., meaning music and loud noise must cease between these hours.
How do you get there from Vancouver?
The trip to the park takes just under four hours by car from Downtown Vancouver, depending on traffic. The park is roughly a 90-minute drive from the central Okanagan.
From Vancouver, take Highway 1 to the Coquihalla Highway. From the east, the park is 11 kilometres from the Coquihalla Highway 97C on paved access.
The closest communities, towns, and cities are Aspen Grove, Merritt, Princeton, and Elkhart Lodge, according to BC Parks.
Things to do/activities
Some common activities to enjoy in the park include:
- hiking
- swimming
- canoeing
- kayaking
- fishing
- stand-up paddleboarding
- floating on the lake
- birdwatching
Different campgrounds in the park
Visitors can choose between three campsites in three separate areas.
- Alleyne Lake: This area is open year-round, with sites on the lakeside or overlooking the water.
- West Pond: These sites are situated on a narrow terrace overlooking the water; the area is also open year-round.
- Kentucky Lake: Most of the sites along the Kentucky Lake area on the waterfront and considered "spacious." The site closes after Canadian Thanksgiving.
Campers can reserve space online with BC Parks. Some sites are set aside on a first-come, first-served basis.
'Huge, beautiful, and extremely cold': One camper describes the lake
Thaisa Stelle Vieira tells V.I.A. that she booked a double campsite at Forest Loop through the BC Parks website. She notes that the road to the campsite was clear and easy to navigate.
"We go camping often, and this campground was one of the better ones we’ve been to. It’s well-maintained, private, and very quiet, perfect for a peaceful weekend," she says.
Vieira notes that parking was easy to find at Kentucky Lake, but there weren't many spots to sit or lounge like on other beaches. However, they found a grassy corner to set up and relax.
"The shoreline is quite muddy, so if you’re planning to spend time there, I highly recommend bringing a paddleboard, kayak, boat, or floatie to enjoy the water comfortably," she advises.
"The lake itself is huge, beautiful, and extremely cold, great for a quick dip or paddling."
Safety considerations
The B.C. government warns visitors of increased deer activity in the area (including young fawns), along with bear and cougar sightings, particularly on the trail around Kentucky Lake.
Campers and hikers should practice smart behaviours to reduce their risk of a negative encounter.
Additionally, people going out on the water should refrain from drinking alcohol, reducing the risk of a dangerous incident. Alcoholic beverages must remain at the campsite and are not permitted on the water or at the beaches.
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