Conkle Lake Provincial Park
Secluded in the Okanagan Highland east of Osoyoos, Conkle Lake is set amid a forest of western larch and lodgepole pine intermingling with willow and black alder that cover the sharply rising surrounding hills. Conkle Lake, named for W.H. Conkle, an early settler in the nearby Kettle Valley, is noted for its rainbow trout. This park offers 34 vehicle accessible campsites, including four double sites, all available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors have come for many years to fish the lake, sunbathe, swim and hike to various viewpoints.
Best access road suitable for most or all vehicles is on Johnstone Creek Road (25km dirt road with suggested speed of 30km/h) accessed off of Hwy 3 near Rock Creek. (Approximately 50 minutes to Rock Creek).
Other alternate routes along Conkle-Ripperto Forest Road accessed off of Hwy 33 near Westbridge and Venner Meadows Road accessed from Okanagan Falls are not maintained and are not suitable for vehicles other than off-road 4×4 trucks.
It is not possible to make a reservation for individual campsites at this park. Campsites are often available for last-minute campers in July and August. Fees are cash only. Conkle Lake is open seasonally from the May Long Weekend through Labour Day.
All photos are by Jeff Kuly.
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Pets on Leash
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
All group campsite reservations must be made through Discover Camping. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first-come, first-served. Individual campsite reservations are not accepted at this park, all campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis. Group campsite reservations are accepted at this park through Discover Camping for dates starting May 15 to September 6.
Google Maps suggests taking an access road from OK Falls, but this route is not maintained or signed and is not recommended.
The best access road is off of Highway 3 about 6km east of Bridesville. Follow Johnstone Creek Road for 25km to the park. It is a maintained gravel road and takes approximately 40 minutes from the highway turnoff. Other access points off of Highway 33 and from OK Falls are not well marked and are unmaintained forestry roads that are not suitable for vehicle traffic.