sẁiẁs Park

sẁiẁs Park is proudly managed and operated by the Osoyoos Indian Band.

sẁiẁs Park is located within the traditional territory of the Osoyoos Indian Band. Since time immemorial, the Osoyoos Indian Band’s Okanagan ancestors have inhabited and cared for the lands and waters within their traditional territory.

sẁiẁs sounds similar to “s-wee-yous” and means a place where it is shallow or narrow in the middle of the lake. The place name explains how the area was used to cross Osoyoos Lake by foot or by horse.

Audio Files: The nqilxʷcən/nsyilxcən place name for sẁiẁs park was recorded by Osoyoos Indian Band Elder Jane Stelkia and Westbank First Nation Elder and language teacher Delphine Armstrong. Jane’s nqilxʷcən skʷist (traditional name) is qʷʕayxnmitkʷ xʷəstalk̓iyaʔ. Delphine’s nqilxʷcən skʷist (traditional name) is ɬək̓əmxnalqs.

• How to pronounce sẁiẁs [MP3]

In 2015, the park was renamed to reflect the traditional Okanagan place name for the area. The nqilxʷcən/nsyilxcən place name and history of sẁiẁs have been passed down for thousands of years through the oral tradition of capti’kʷl stories and teachings.

Lakeside campsites and privacy make this one of the most popular provincial parks. Campers are encouraged to book reservations early in the season to secure campsites during the busy summer months.

• The extremely hot and dry Okanagan climate can result in overexposure to the sun. Children and adults alike should use a sunscreen and wear a hat during long periods in the sun.
• Visitors should be aware that extreme caution is required when swimming or walking in the shallow water surrounding the park. There is potential for dangerous undercurrents and there is also an extremely steep drop offs surround the exposed sandbar at the tip of the point. Children should be supervised at all times. Swim, wade or walk in the water at your own risk.
• sẁiẁs Park is subject to severe and unexpected winds on occasion. Please ensure that all tents and equipment are tied down at all times, to help prevent damage. Large tent shelters are not permitted on beaches due to the potential for them be blown away and injure or to be lost into the lake.
• sẁiẁs Park contains significant amounts of poison ivy. Park guests are encouraged to become familiar with this plant and avoid any contact.

• Due to popularity and size of the campground, there is a maximum stay policy of seven nights per calendar year in this park. Reservations are made through the BC Parks reservations system.
• sẁiẁs Park is an important archaeological and cultural heritage site. Please help respect and protect this historically and culturally important area by following the park rules. Park guests are also reminded that the Heritage Conservation Act protects all archaeological and cultural heritage sites in the province. This includes intact or disturbed, known or unknown, recorded or unrecorded sites.

This park is located 2 km south of Osoyoos off Hwy 97, on 32nd Avenue.