Hiking Guide for COVID-19 - Trails Remaining Open
Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Canadian governments are synchronizing their plans to close all public parks as it's too difficult to enforce physical distancing protocols. Currently, all PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL parks are CLOSED to the public. It could very likely be a matter of time before the regional parks are closed as well. As our member Christina Mykituik recently pointed out, anyone found in a closed park will be evicted and could face a $115 fine.
For now, as our other member Darcy Kuhl points out, almost all regional parks remain open for use. Knox Mountain now has a strict one-way flow policy going up Apex trail and down Knox Mountain drive. Ensure you maintain a two meter distance from other hikers. We would also personally recommend at least four meters from other vehicles.
Hiking is therapeutic and is scientifically proven to have meditative-like qualities on the brain, helping relax the mind and body. The virus can live on various surfaces for different amounts of time. This could be branches you push through on your way to the summit, or a walking stick you've picked up. Many carriers are symptomless. When we're hiking, we're throwing bodily fluids around like mad. Please wear a face-covering over your nose and mouth to prevent unknowning transmission.
Most Popular Confirmed Closed Parks
- Bear Creek Provincial Park (West Kelowna)
- Brent Mountain Protected Area (Pentiction)
- Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve (Vernon)
- Fintry Provincial Park (Vernon/West Kelowna)
- Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park (Vernon)
- Monashee Provincial Park (Vernon/Lumby)
- Myra Bellevue Provincial Park (Kelowna)
- Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park (Kelowna)
- Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park (Penticton)
Other Local Confirmed Park Closures
- Browne Lake Provincial Park (Kelowna)
- Campbell Brown (Kalamalka Lake) Ecological Reserve (Vernon)
- Christie Memorial Provincial Park (Okanagan Falls)
- Darke Lake Provincial Park (Peachland)
- Ellison Provincial Park (Vernon)
- Eneas Lakes Provincial Park (Peachland)
- Kekuli Bay Provincial Park (Vernon)
- Kickininee Provincia Park (Summerland)
- Nickel Plate Provincial Park (Pentiction)
- Okanagan Lake Provincial Park (Peachland)
- Pennask Creek & Lake Provincial Parks (Highway 97C)
- Sun-Oka Beach Provincial Park (Summerland)
- sx̌ʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ Provincial Park (Okanagan Falls)
- Trepanier Provincial Park (Highway 97C)
- Trout Creek Ecological Reserve (Summerland)
- Truman Dagnus Locheed Provincial Park (Vernon)
- Wrinkly Face Provincial Park (small portion of High Rim Trail goes through this)
Great trails to explore that seem to still be open
Kelowna
- Angel Springs (Kelowna)
- Mill Creek (Kelowna)
- Mission Park Greenway (Kelowna)
- Lebanon Creek/Johns Family NC (Kelowna)
- Stephens Coyote Ridge (Kelowna-Glenmore)
West Kelowna
- Carrot Mountain (West Kelowna)
- Rose Valley Regional Park (West Kelowna)
- Blue Grouse (West Kelowna)
- Mt. Boucherie (West Kelowna)
- Glen Canyon (West Kelowna)
- Kalamoir Park (West Kelowna)
- McDougall Rim (West Kelowna)
- Mount Law (West Kelowna)
- Mt. Drought (West Kelowna)
Lake Country, Vernon & Northerly
- Spion Kopje (Lake Country)
- Sugarloaf Mountain (Vernon/West Kelowna)
- Bluenose Mountain (Vernon)
- Rim Rocks (Vernon)
- Mount Rose Swanson (Armstrong)
Southerly
- Pincushion (Peachland)
This is not a definitive guide, and trail closures are subject to change at any time. Please check in advance before departing and watch for signage.
Author
Josh
Die-hard hiker with a passion for travel.