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Osoyoos Lake State Park |
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Park Overview
 Osoyoos Lake
State Veteran's Memorial Park is a 47-acre camping park on a 14-mile-long lake
that stretches several miles north into British Columbia. Located in the midst
of a hot and arid environment, the park provides welcome respite with its sandy
shores, green lawns and shade trees. A war veteran's memorial is in the park.
A vehicle parking permit is no longer required for day visits.
Park Hours Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk. Campground, day-use area and watercraft launch open
weekends and holidays Nov. 1 - March 30.
In winter, RV campers may park in the picnic area parking lot.
Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Driving Directions Located 1/4 mile north of Oroville, Wash., near the
Canadian border.
From Canada:
Travel south on Hwy. 97. The park is on the left across from Prince's Department
Store, just north of Oroville.
From the south:
Travel north on Hwy. 97. Pass through Oroville, and look for the park on the
right, across from Prince's Department Store.
Picnic Facilities The park has one kitchen shelter (first-come, first-served)
without electricity and 61 unsheltered picnic tables.
Activities
| Trails |
Water Activities |
Other |
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- Boating (freshwater)
- Boating (freshwater, non-motorized)
- 2 boat ramps (freshwater)
- 40 feet of dock (freshwater)
- 60 feet of moorage (freshwater)
- Fishing (freshwater)
- Personal Watercraft (freshwater)
- Swimming (freshwater)
- Water Skiing (freshwater)
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- Bird Watching
- 1 Horseshoe pit
- 1 Volleyball Field
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Visitors with fishing licenses may fish for smallmouth bass, rainbow trout,
kokanee and numerous other fish species. The park has a bathhouse near the lake
for swimmers. A 9-hole golf course, a basketball court and baseball, softball
and soccer fields are located nearby. Ice fishing and ice skating are available
in the winter.
Boating FeaturesWatercraft launch reopens March 15.
The park has two boat ramps and 40 feet of dock. Motorized and non-motorized
boating are allowed, along with other water sports.
A daily permit is available for watercraft launching and trailer dumping at the
park for $5.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at
region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.
Winter Recreation
Featured Creatures
| Mammals |
Birds |
Fish & Sea Life |
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- Crows or Ravens
- Ducks
- Eagles
- Geese
- Gulls
- Hawks
- Herons
- Hummingbirds
- Ospreys
- Owls
- Pheasants
- Quail
- Woodpeckers
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Environmental Features
| Physical Features |
Plant Life |
Special |
14-mile-long Osoyoos Lake is formed
by the Okanogan River widening south of the Canadian Rockies.
The park has expansive lawns leading down to the sandy shore of
the lake. Shade is provided by willow trees.
The area is hot and dry in the summer, with usual temperatures
of 80 to 90 degrees. The area's average annual rainfall is13
inches, with 10 inches of cool-weather snowfall. |
- Ponderosa Pine
- Birch
- Maple
- Oak
- Poplar
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History The park's full name is Osoyoos Lake State Veteran's Memorial Park
because some of the land was given to the state by the American Legion. In 1998,
veterans groups donated a plaque and memorial that dedicate the park to all
veterans who served their country in war and peace. The lake originally was
called "Soyoos," meaning "The Narrows," by Native Americans. The area was
historically used by Native Americans as a campsite and for horse races. In the
mid-19th century, the same area was used by miners and cattle drivers following
the Caribou Trail north to the Fraser River gold fields in Canada. |
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