If you are looking for a campground that has it all, look no further than the Kokanee Creek Provincial Park! The park is home to four campgrounds which are spread out across the park but all just a short walk from each other. The Kokanee Creek Provincial Park has a great location, close to the town of Nelson in British Columbia and also on the shore of the West Arm of Kootenay Lake, offering easy lake access.
The Kokanee Creek Provincial Park is a popular spot, with outdoor fun for all ages. From easy hiking trails, to peaceful, private camping spots and a boat launch, it is well worth a visit and if you have the time, it is worth grabbing a camping spot for a few nights.
Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission on any purchase made, at no additional cost to you. This helps me keep the blog running, so thank you for your support!
Table of Contents
Where Is The Kokanee Creek Provincial Park
The Kokanee Creek Provincial Park is located between Nelson and Balfour along the shores of Kootenay Lake. It is located approximately 21 kilometers from Nelson along Highway 3A and around 12 kilometers from Balfour, where you can continue North to Kaslo or take the Balfour Ferry to Crawford Bay where you can head south to Creston.
Kokanee Creek Provincial Park Campground
There are four campgrounds in the Kokanee Creek Provincial Park all offering something a little bit different. When we stayed there we didn’t have a reservation and so arrived early to secure one of the first come first serve spots at the park gate.
The Sandspit campground at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park is the largest of the four campgrounds. It is by reservation and this can be done via the BC Parks website. There are 113 campsites in total in the Sandspit campground and this is where the majority of the park’s facilities are including one of the shower blocks. Most of these sites are medium to large and almost all of them offer excellent shade since they are located in the forest. Sites have picnic benches and firepits and there are garbage cans, outhouses and running water.
The Friends campground has 39 sites and is more suited to RVs than tents. The sites all offer some kind of power services, make sure to book the right site for your needs. The Friends campground is located close to the beach and watersports centre. The sites here don’t all offer firepits and there is little in the way of privacy between most sites.
On the other side of the highway to the main entrance of the Kokanee Creek Provincial Park is the Redfish Campground, a peaceful spot in the forest. Most sites are shaded and tey are all first come first served.
The last of the four campgrounds at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park is Osprey Point. This is where we stayed. All the sites here are first come first served. There are 18 sites here, all of which are mostly shaded, they all have fire pits and benches. There is a day use shelter in the centre with access to running water. At the end of the campground loop is a short trail to the dog beach.
For groups, the Kokanee Creek Provincial Park has two group campsites which can handle bigger groups looking for a more private space. These must be reserved ahead of time online through the BC Parks website. One is open to groups year round while the other is only open to group bookings during the shoulder season.
Things To Do At Kokanee Creek Provincial Park
There are a number of awesome hiking trails in Kokanee Creek Provincial Park. One of my favourites was the canyon trail to the viewpoint. This fun trail follows the river before gaining a little elevation and then stairs allow you access to a beautiful canyon viewpoint. The great thing about the trails in Kokanee Creek Provincial Park is that you can do one short trail or link up a number of them to create a longer walk.
The lakeshore beach lines a large side of the Kokanee Creek Provincial Park. Enjoy a relaxing day on the beach, reading a good book, taking in the views, wildlife watching and playing beach games.
Along with a beach there is a boat launch in the Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, making it a great spot for a number of watersports. There is also a watersports centre at the end of the Friends campground, you can rent a number of different things here from kayaks to paddle boards, so if you don’t have your own you can still get out on the water.
The Nature Centre in the Kokanee Creek Provincial Park has a lot of incredible information about the park and its wildlife. This is also where most of the Interpretive Programs take place which are geared to a variety of people. There is also WiFi and a coffee and gift shop in the Nature Centre.
There are never ending wildlife spotting opportunities in Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, specifically look out for waterfowl near the marsh lands close to the lake and there is also the Spawning Channel and its viewing platform to watch the Kokanee at certain times of the year.
Items You Need To Enjoy Kokanee Creek Provincial Park
Binoculars – For the wildlife watchers out there, we had a great time using a monocular to get better views of the birds which live around the park.
Hiking Shoes – A sturdy pair of shoes for exploring the trails in the Kokanee Creek Provincial Park is a must.
Beach Chair – Perfect for lounging at camp or at the beach, so you can spend the day relaxing in comfort.