Skaha Lake, Freshwater lake in Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Skaha Lake is a freshwater lake in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, stretching between the town of Penticton to the north and Okanagan Falls to the south. The lake sits in a semi-arid valley flanked by dry hills and vineyards, giving the surrounding area a look quite different from the rest of British Columbia.
French fur traders called the lake Dog Lake in the early 19th century, a name that stayed in common use for over a hundred years. In 1930, the name was officially changed to Skaha, drawing from the Syilx language of the Okanagan people who had long lived in this valley.
The name Skaha comes from the Syilx language of the Okanagan people and means "dog," a reference to the lake's former French name, Dog Lake. Today, the southern shore is lined with sandy beaches that draw families, paddlers, and swimmers every summer.
Highway 97 runs along the western shore and gives easy access to several beaches and boat launches along the way. The beaches near Penticton tend to be busier, while spots further south toward Okanagan Falls are generally quieter.
Skaha Lake was once connected to Okanagan Lake to the north as part of the same body of water, before sediment gradually built up a natural divide between them. The channel that still links the two lakes runs right through the center of Penticton, so walking across town means crossing from one lake to the other.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
