Knox Mountain Park
Knox Mountain Park is Kelowna’s largest natural area park, spanning 385 hectares located just north of downtown, and open to the public from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily.
Vehicles are typically allowed on Knox Mountain Drive up to the first lookout daily from 12 - 8 p.m. during the frost-free season. The road may close during special events, operational work, or heightened wildfire risk.
The Knox Mountain Management Plan update was endorsed by Council on Monday, June 20, 2022 and will guide capital investment priorities and operational strategies planned through the next ten years. As part of the update, residents were invites to weigh in through poll questions and a discussion forum, and it was inclusive of an updated analysis on the ecological needs of the park, and other information such as fire hazard mitigation and overall maintenance throughout the next decade.
Further, based on results from engagement conducted in 2021 on Knox Mountain Drive usage and accessibility, Council endorsed a two-year multi-modal strategy trial allowing for vehicular access to the first lookout daily from 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., which comes into effect opening day 2022 and runs to 2024. The discussion forum is available at getinvolved.kelowna.ca.
Additional parking is now available on the western side of the base of Knox Mountain, accessible from Poplar Point Drive.
Remember to keep your dog on leash, unless you are in the designated off-leash dog park area, don't pick the flowers or other vegetaion, and respect wildlife. Park users are also reminded as the weather warms up the risk of wildfire also increases, so check regularly for provincial fire bans and regulations. Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes and cannabis is banned in all City regional parks and beaches.
Knox Mountain Park Management Plan Update
Check out the 2022 Knox Mountain Park Management Plan Update, which has been updated refining park management through the next decade.
KNOX MOUNTAIN PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 UPDATE
KNOX MOUNTAIN PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY 2022
More Information About Knox Mountain Park
The summit of Knox Mountain rises approximately 300 metres above the high-water level of Okanagan Lake. While the lake shoreline borders almost 1,400 metres of the western park boundary, much of the remaining boundary is surrounded by residential development. Its size, height, central location and natural amenities make this park a landmark and a popular destination for residents and tourists alike.
Knox Mountain is home to several representative Okanagan ecosystems as the park transitions from lakeshore to mountain top, including: riparian, wetland, Ponderosa Pine Bunch Grass, and dry Interior Douglas-fir. These ecosystems are fragile, dry and highly susceptible to erosion and degradation.
The park supports numerous activities including but not limited to walking, running, hiking, pedal biking (road, cross country and downhill), birding, nature appreciation, sightseeing, winter recreation and dogs on-leash.
