| Ellison
Provincial Park is a very popular
summer park located southwest of the community of Vernon, BC in
the North Okanagan Valley. The recreation destination park is
situated on the eastern shores of Okanagan Lake and is popular
for swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, camping and diving.
The 200 hectare Ellison Provincial Park is a
two tiered park situated on a rocky slope located near Predator
Ridge. The Okanagan forest in the park consists of lodgepole pine
and douglas fir trees.
On the lower level tier, resting on the shores
of Okanagan Lake are secluded coves named Otter Bay and South
Bay. Both have picnic tables, a volleyball court, swimming area
and a long sandy beach. A third beach, Sandy Beach, is a dog park.
Be aware there is no boat launch in this park.
Higher up, on the top tier is a paved parking
lot, a campground, flush toilets, showers, running water, an outdoor
amphitheatre, a playground and a large grass lawn area. The campsites
include picnic tables and fire pits. Connecting all the levels
of the park together is a network of hiking trails.
Throughout the park is a small series of hiking
trails adding up to 6 kilometres. Some of the walking paths are
paved and others are gravel. Some paths are level while other
paths are steep. Some of the trails are wheelchair accessible.
The Beach Trail is level and follows the shores
of the lake while the Nature Trail climbs down the slope of the
hillside from the main parking lot. Located on the walking paths
are a few resting benches. And throughout the park are some pit
toilets.
Ellison Provincial Park is home to Canada's first
under water diving park. Many divers visit the park to explore
the under water world of Okanagan Lake.
How to Get to Ellison
Provincial Park:
Travel north on Highway #97 towards the community
of Vernon, BC. At the main intersection entering town (25th Ave)
take a left and continue driving to the park entrance following
the park signs.
|
Ellison
Vernon
