Shannon Lake Regional Park - A Westbank Jewel
This park is so pretty, with its graceful trees and mountain backdrop, that many wedding parties come here for their photographs.
Shannon Lake Regional Park is easy to get to, and it’s easy to walk. The wide pathways and sweeping lawns are friendly to strollers and wheelchairs as well as your feet. There are picnic tables, mature trees, a small bay and a lovely lake. You can have a picnic or set up the badminton net.
The waters of Shannon Lake are surrounded by pleasant lakeside homes, a small horse farm and Shannon Lake Golf Course. Part of the year, the lake wears a charming fringe of tiny water plants sporting jaunty pink flowers. Along the lake’s edge on the upper banks are edible but woody Saskatoon berries. The bushes sport white blossoms in the spring, and are pretty when the berries are on them, too.
The lake is populated by a variety of waterfowl, Western Red Painted Turtles, frogs, and at least two species of edible fish- bass and perch. The bass in particular are affectionately but vigorously pursued by local fishers, the most blissful-looking fisher-folk floating around after their prey in belly boats.
In cooler winters, the lake sometimes freezes, and a host of skaters erupt onto the ice.
In the three other seasons, this is a very enjoyable canoeing lake. If you’re lucky enough to have wheels for your craft, you simply stroll down the wide gravel path from the parking lot to the small bay and slide your canoe in. Off you paddle to talk with the water fowl, supervise the golfers and horses in the paddock, spot the basking or swimming turtles, and watch as an osprey zooms down from the sky to grab a fish. Need we say more ?
How to find it
You can access Shannon Lake Road from Bartley Road near Byland’s Nursery and Stevens Road from the Kelowna end, or from Old Okanagan Highway at the Westbank end. The park is about ten minutes drive or 20 minutes cycling from either end, and the parking lot faces Alexandria Way.
What to bring
Your friends or relatives in wheelchairs or buggies, your non-motorized water craft, your badminton racquet and a picnic. And your camera! You might want to bring a bird book, too.
You may also bring your dog - but not to the grassy lawn areas. Your dog is allowed on leash ONLY on the gravel path that travels among the trees above the lake shore. People have been fined here by bylaw officers for taking their dogs onto the lawns.
Cautions
Among the trees along the path, there is the occasional wasp nest near the ground. Along the edges of the lake here and there is some very slippery, gooey mud. It’s possible to get swimmers itch some years if you swim off your water craft - the best way to avoid that little problem is to bring extra dry towels, and towel off vigorously after getting wet.
Disclaimer: Please remember to hike safe. Consider your level of fitness, the terrain, the weather, the wildlife, and the expertise/age of those you are hiking with. Since conditions of trails change over time, we do not guarantee the accuracy of our information. Hike at your own risk.
Go back to Westbank and area "Walking and Hiking Trails" page
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