Silver Star Provincial Park

Silver Star

While BC is known for its rugged and steep mountain terrain, it has many other features, including the rounded mountain formations held within the 6092 hectares of Silver Star Provincial Park.

The high elevation country is ideal for escaping from the heat of the Okanagan Valley, while its rolling, plateau-like topography, typical of the Western Shuswap Highland regional landscape, is suitable for many recreational activities. Visitors in mid summer can marvel at fields awash with alpine flowers and enjoy the cool evening air.

To the east are the rugged Monoshee Mountains and to the west are the dry grasslands and open forests of the Okanagan Valley. About 100km of trails, many broad and flat, are used in summer for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The mountain bike trials are of varying difficulty and some single track is available. Beginning in November, the area’s reliable, dry snow make winter sports extremely popular. Cross-country skiers can enjoy 50 km of track-set trails. Activities are based around Sovereign Lake Nordic Center, which is complete with day lodge, ski school and rentals. This lodge is open during winter months only. Snow mobilers can explore a similar amount of terrain in a separate area. Hunting, with provincial government restrictions, is also a possibility.

Nearby, just outside the provincial park boundary, Silver Star Resort offers world-class downhill skiing, accommodations, and year round recreation. Wildlife sighting include black bear, which can be easily seen grazing on mountain berries; moose, mule deer, whitetail deer, cougar, lynx, bobcat, and even elk. Birdwatchers will see grouse, crossbills, owls and other raptors.

Historically, the area was used by native people for food gathering, and in the early 19th twentieth century was highly productive for silver and gold mining. It has not seen active mining since the 1940’s.

Facilities in the Park:
There are two day-use only cabins – both based on winter recreation – in Silver Star Park. The Black Prince cabin is located within the Sovereign Lake Nordic Center and has a wood stove and 4 picnic tables. The Snowmobile Chalet is located on Ganzeveld Trail, which is maintained as a warming hut by the Vernon Snowmobile Club and includes wood stoves, tables and untreated water.

Location / Access:
The closest community is Vernon, 22 km away. Silver Star can be accessed by turning off Highway 97 onto 48th Avenue (which turns into Silver Star road). The park is 22 km up Silver Star Road.

Silver Star Mountain Resort - www.skisilverstar.com
Sovereign Lake Nordic Club - www.sovereignlake.com