The park is officially open from May 1 to September 30. There are 65 Reservable campsites available from May 19th to September 29th. Those not reserved are on a first come first serve.
Drinking water is available throughout the park and there is a sani-dump station at the north end. Showers are at the entrance to the campground and there are four separate day-use/picnic areas which include 45 picnic sites. Day use areas are free to use, vehicle accessible camping fee is $30.00 per party per night.
We were at the park in mid April, the gate was open and we freely walked and drove around the park. They offer a playground, boat launch, changing rooms, bathrooms, sandy beaches, picnic tables, day use areas and nature viewing.
Wasa Lake Provincial Park is 154 hectares in size and protects the natural wetlands and North America’s most northern Ponderosa pine forest.
About This Park
A family vacation destination since the 1950s, Wasa Lake village advertises the warmest swimming lake in the Kootenays. Wasa Lake Park offers camping, swimming, hiking, cycling, boating and nature viewing opportunities. There is an 8 km wheelchair and bike accessible trail around the lakeshore and a 2.7 km self-guided interpretation trail.
World class attractions such as Fort Steele Heritage town, guest ranches, ski hills and golf courses are nearby. In addition to being a popular recreation spot, the park protects a representative grassland ecosystem. It includes a portion of North America’s most northern ponderosa pine forest set amid blue bunch wheatgrass meadows that provide habitat for a wide diversity of animals and plants.
Located in south eastern British Columbia, 40 km north of Cranbrook or 102 km south of Radium Hot Springs and 1 km east of Highway 93/95. The closest communities are Kimberley located 35 km north west and Cranbrook located 40 km south of Wasa Lake.
Nature and Culture
History: Wasa Lake Provincial Park was established in 1955 to provide recreational access to the warmest swimming lake in the Kootenays. The Wasa area was logged by the railway in the early 1900’s and irrigated for years through a ditch and flume system begun in 1915. Later cattle ranching became the agricultural mainstay. Wasa village provides tourist facilities and services.
Conservation: Wasa Lake Park is situated in the gentle terrain of the widening Rocky Mountain Trench. This 144 hectare park protects a representative area of the most threatened ecosystem type in the world; fire maintained temperate grasslands. Of the seemingly endless ocean of native grasslands that greeted the early settlers to our country, less than 5% remains and only a fraction is protected. These bunchgrass meadows host unique species such as curlews and sharp tailed grouse. During June and July, enjoy a spectacular diversity of wildflowers and birds. Intensive grassland restoration is occurring on two land blocks within this park.
From the BC Parks