Columbia Lake Provincial Park, Nature reserve at Columbia Lake, Regional District of East Kootenay, Canada.
Columbia Lake Provincial Park is a 290-hectare provincial park on the northeast shore of Columbia Lake, about 3 km south of Fairmont Hot Springs in the East Kootenay Regional District. Of this area, 275 hectares are upland and 15 hectares are foreshore. The Columbia River leaves the lake at the park's edge, and the park lies in the Interior Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone, where secondary forest has regrown after earlier logging.
The park was established in 1988 to protect the lake and its surroundings, starting with 260 hectares before expanding years later. This growth reflected the need to safeguard more of the ecosystem as its importance became clearer.
The park lies within the traditional hunting and fishing grounds of the Ktunaxa and Secwepemc First Nations, and a First Nations trade route once crossed the area. Park managers know of 10 archaeological sites within the boundaries, recorded under the Borden system. Today the park is a day-use area used for paddling, fishing and watching bighorn sheep and herons.
The park is open year-round with no entrance fee, making it accessible to everyone at any time. Visitors should wear proper footwear for hiking and prepare for seasonal weather changes.
The Columbia River begins at the park's edge, where it leaves Columbia Lake. The park also holds 10 archaeological sites recorded under the Borden system, and a First Nations trade trail once crossed the area. The Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep winters here.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,512 contributors worldwide.