Camping at Mabel Lake Provincial Park in British Columbia’s North Okanagan

This fall we went back to Mabel Lake Provincial Park for the first time in years, and it was even better than last time!

We love the quiet, peacefulness of Mabel Lake. It has an especially calm feeling in the fall as the cooler weather sets in. We booked ahead through the BC Parks Reservation System as it was a long weekend, a good plan since it was full.

To get to Mabel Lake Provincial Park, take Hwy 6 east from Vernon to Lumby then head north onto Mabel Lake Road for 36 kilometres. The last 1 kilometre is gravel, but well-maintained.

Mabel Lake is about 30 kilometres long and attracts the fishermen in the family. Many were fishing in small boats, belly boats and from the shore. Being that my husband will take any opportunity to fish, it worked great for me as it gave me lots of time to enjoy my book while he was out fishing for our supper. Apparently, the lake has many varieties and some big fish in deep water including Rainbow and Lake Trout and Chinook and Kokanee Salmon.  Don’t forget to buy your Freshwater fishing licence before you arrive, as there is no cell service in the campsite.

The campground has 114 sites, fresh drinking water, wood for a fee (outside of the fire ban periods), a big sandy beach, boat launch, lots of trails and a sani-dump. There is also a privately- run general store which had shut down for the season, but looks like they have basic supplies plus boat rentals. This campsite is great for kids, riding bikes, playing in the wide-open grassy fields and on the playground.

Uniquely laid out, the campsite has three loops: Trinity, Monashee and Taylor Creek. The Taylor Creek loop is set back slightly from the lake in the forest.  We camped in the Trinity Loop, but the Monashee loop looked equally as nice, both bordering and close to the lake. We were so lucky to snag a waterfront site with easy access for fishing and a great view.

This dog-friendly campsite has a big sandy dog beach and trails which meander through the campground. There is also easy access to the Taylor Creek trail which winds alongside the creek. 

We saw lots of interesting mushrooms along the Taylor Creek Trail. Friends we were with had taken a mushroom identification course and pointed out some Lobster mushrooms and Scarlet Waxy Cap mushrooms.

Throughout our stay, I kept asking “Who was Mabel?”. Being that we did not have cell-service, I had to look it up when we returned home. The park website shared that the lake was named after Mabel Charles, daughter of a Hudson’s Bay Company manager during the late nineteenth century.

Whilst there we decided to do a road trip on one of the days; with water and snacks, we headed north on the Mabel Lake Road. About 10 minutes down the road (6.5 kilometres), we arrived at the Cascade Falls Trail. It was well-marked and located on the east side of the road. There is a small parking area for a few cars; otherwise, people just parked on the side of the road.  The trail leading to the falls is short but could be difficult for some, as it requires climbing over roots and the path gets quite narrow and rocky at times. We found we had to watch our step in a few spots but didn’t find it too difficult. The falls were well worth the short hike. Apparently, they are even more spectacular in May/June with the spring runoff and during the hot summer days that bring a cool breeze.

A little further down the road, watch for a cedar tree covered with shoes. Yes shoes…runners, hiking boots, kids’ shoes and flip-flops! Either attached to the trunk of the tree or hanging off the branches, there must be hundreds. Surprisingly, some actually look like they are in pretty good shape despite being covered with dirt from the gravel road! We saw another tree like this one on the road from Port Hardy to Cape Scott Park earlier this summer.

This “shoe” tree marks the start of the Mystic Trail. As we meandered along the trail towards the lake, we passed an old rustic moss-covered log cabin. We were surprised when we peaked inside to see three little beds with three teddy bears, just like the Goldilocks story. Further along the trail are a variety of unique sculptures.

We talked to some locals who said the enchanted forest trail was there when they were kids and came with their parents. While the history of the trail is a bit of a mystery, it is a fun place to meander around, and kids would love it.

We continued down to the beach and enjoyed the different types of rocks and a beautiful view.

Back in the car, a little further down the road (about 15 kilometres from Cascade Falls) we stopped at Cottonwood Beach. The campsite is 3 kilometres off the main road as it winds down to the lake. A good campground either as a destination or to keep in mind if you forget to book a reservation at Mabel Lake Park and find it full; or like us if you’re looking for another place to stop and explore. There are a real variety of campsites, some close to the water and some back in the trees.

After Cottonwood Beach we headed back to our campsite at the Provincial Park; others may choose to head north another 70 kilometres to Revelstoke.

Whether you are camping in the heat of the summer or the cool fall, keep in mind this park is a little higher up in the mountains, so temperatures tend to be a cooler. For us, it’s a great choice in any season!

For other campgrounds in the area or elsewhere in British Columbia go to the Camping Map.

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