Mabel Lake Park
About this Park
Well off the beaten track, nestled in a beautiful mountain setting are the quieter, sandy beaches of Mabel Lake Park.
Lush forests offer a pleasant retreat from the more crowded urban centres. The park’s sandy shoreline is backed by a cool forest of hemlock, red cedar and birch, in sharp contrast to the drier ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests to the west. Squirrels often visit the campsites and painted turtles can be seen at Taylor Creek. Deer, black bear and even moose can be seen occasionally as well as a variety of birdlife and water fowl.
Mabel Lake is a fisherman’s destination park as several local fishing derbies are held in the park each year. It is not uncommon to find a handful of fisherman enjoying the peaceful spring months, fishing off the beach. Opportunities for rainbow trout are available here year-round.
Temperatures are warm in the summer but rarely extreme, making this a great campsite for those who prefer a cooler locale than the Okanagan Valley. The natural setting and access to a 35 km long lake make this a popular destination for all ages.
Safety information
- Mabel Lake can experience sudden weather changes. Boaters are reminded to find shelter in bays along the lakeshore in times of gusty winds.
- The lake bottom drops off steeply from the beach. Use caution.
- In the spring and fall, there is a lot of wildlife activity in the park. Please exercise caution and keep a safe distance. For more information on staying safe please visit the wildlife safety page.
Location notes
Take Hwy 6 east from Vernon to Lumby. Follow signs in Lumby turning north onto Mabel Lake Road. Follow the Shuswap River for 36 km on paved road through a picturesque landscape of farmland and ranches and 1 km of gravel road to Mabel Lake and the campground. The total distance from Vernon is 60 km.
Activities
- 241:Hiking The short 1 km “Changing Rainforest” self-guided interpretive trail winds through the shaded forest carpeted in moss that is found between the campsites and the main road. It is a gentle hike taking visitors through the maturing second growth rainforest of western red cedar, hemlock and some Douglas fir. The hike takes 30 minutes.
- 241:Canoeing There are paddling, canoeing and kayaking opportunities at this park. This is a fairly large lake (35 km long) and subject to sudden weather changes. Paddle near shore and explore the extensive shoreline if the weather is poor. The lake is also popular with motorboats.
- 241:Swimming Mabel Lake is a great spot for swimming. A very large fine sand beach provides the perfect place to warm up and dry off or just relax in the sun. The beach is separated from the lawns of the day-use area by cottonwood trees and is easily accessed from both the day-use parking lot and the Trinity Campground. Another smaller beach is next to the Monashee Campground. The sand is more coarse but it is still a great spot for swimming. Both areas are marked with buoys.
- 241:Fishing
- 241:Wildlife viewing There is an abundance of wildlife in the park that makes for good wildlife viewing, especially in the spring and fall.
- 241:Pets on leash There is a designated beach area for dogs between the boat launch and the swimming area. In all other areas of the park, pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times. Please remember you are responsible for their behavior and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.
- 241:Cycling Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Mabel Lake Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
- 241:Waterskiing Mabel Lake is a good spot for waterskiing, though not a destination. The boat launch facilities are sufficient for a variety of boats.
- 241:Kayaking Kayaking is welcome at this park.
Facilities
- 241:Picnic areas This park has a large day-use and picnic area extending from the Trinity campground to the boat launch. The lawns are level, open and spacious, providing the opportunity for a variety of games. There are 10 picnic tables amongst the cottonwood trees that separate the lawn from the beach and provide some shade. The tables have a great view of the lake and the adventure playground. Two flush toilets and a tap are located next to the playground. Five more tables with three fire rings are found nearer to the boat launch, also surrounded by open, spacious lawn. There is a gravel parking lot with 45 spots. Two pit toilets and a tap are located in a small patch of shrubs just off the parking lot.Depending on water levels, it is possible to walk the beach the entire length of the park from the boat launch to Taylor Creek. Taylor Creek braids and forms a delta as it enters the lake. Sandy floodplains form underwater as the light sand settles out of the stream in miniature example of the geologic process that formed many parts of the Okanagan Valley.
- 241:Pit or flush toilets There are a total of 16 flush toilets in the park plus two pit toilets.
- 241:Drinking water There are nine cold-water taps in the park, centrally located in each campsite loop as well as at the day-use parking area and in the group site. Water is from a well. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
- 241:Accessibility information Accessibility information is available for this park.
- 241:Playground This park has a popular nature inspired deluxe playground. The playground is just off the day-use parking lot.
- 241:Boat launch There is a concrete boat launch that slopes gently into the lake located at the southern boundary of the park beside the Mabel Lake Marina. There is a large 60 square metre wooden dock with rubber bumpers and pilings. Ample parking is available in the gravel parking lot. There are 10 angled spots for trailers designated with cement barriers and also spaces for trucks with trailers. A turn around area near the launch makes backing up easier.
- 241:Sani-station A sani-station and dump is located at the entrance to the park across from the service area and information shelter. Drinking water is also available at the sani-station. It is available during the collecting season from April 1 to October 13.Sani-station use fee: Payment of $5 should be made upon registration with park staff at your site
- 241:Campfires 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 camp stoves 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. 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.
Location
50.45896, -118.72581 · North Okanagan
