News | Access
Access & BC Park Status for Skaha Bluffs
Updated: January 18, 2010
Rock climbers and other visitors to the popular Skaha Bluffs will finally enjoy permanent access to this area. Access into the Bluffs has been tenuous for the past 15 years, but negotiations and fund raising campaigns have successfully concluded and our new parking lot opened in early March 2009. Thanks to all of those who have contributed to this project, including The Land Conservancy, Nature Conservancy, BC Parks, The Mountain Equipment Coop, local climbers and climbing businesses (including Skaha Rock Adventures Ltd.). Also, as of November 2009, the Skaha Bluffs have now officially been designated as a new BC Provincial Park.
Access to the new paved road and parking lot is up Smythe Road, located along Lakeside Road that parallels Skaha Lake, 3.2 kms south from the junction of Crescent Hill Rd. and South Main Street. There are now two parking lots available with 81 parking stalls in each. Parking will be at a premium, especially on long weekends, therefore we strongly encourage climbers to carpool in order to allow others to access the area. To date (01/11/10) there are no parking fees planned for the use of this parking lot, although be advised that this day-use area will be controlled with a locked gate at the bottom of Smythe Road (7:00 AM – Dusk).
Please use extreme caution at the Lakeside / Smythe Road intersection, as this blind corner has a nasty reputation for close calls and accidents. The City of Pentictons’ engineers are currently working on a solution to resolve this problem.
For more information regarding Skaha Bluffs Access, go online to visit skaha.org. For more information on the Skaha Bluffs conservation area, please contact TLC regional manager, Okanagan Region, Anne Armstrong at 250-492-0173.