Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Parks Canada has put together a list of frequently asked questions on the proposed South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park. You can visit the Parks Canada page for more information on their FAQs.

• Where is the Park going to be? Why?
• Will I be forced to sell my land?
• What will happen to hunting and fishing within the park?
• What will happen to ranchers who have grazing rights within the park area?
• Can we camp in the park?
• What activities will be restricted in the park?
• So what can I do in the park?
• Will I have to pay to go into the park?
• Will there be a fence around the park?
• Will I be able to ride my horse and walk my dog in the park?
• Will we have to pay to use roads that pass through the park?
• If there is no grazing, what will happen with the increased risk of wildfire?
• What will happen to ALR lands if a park is established?
• How do First Nations feel about a national park?

Where is the Park going to be? Why?

The proposed national park reserve boundaries can be found on our Park Basics page. The South Okanagan-Similkameen has 23 species of plants and animals listed as nationally threatened, endangered or vulnerable, as well as one-third of all provincially red-listed species. Many of these species only occur in this region, and so it is vital that the land be protected to preserve this endangered habitat.

Will I be forced to sell my land?

No. Parks Canada does not expropriate land for a national park. Parks Canada works on a willing seller/willing buyer at market value basis. You may sell your land to whomever you wish, and Parks Canada may be interested in negotiation. The national park itself would start off smaller, beginning with the existing Protected Areas. The park will grow with the addition of Crowns lands and purchased private lands. It will take decades for the park to grow, to the benefit of landowners and Parks Canada alike.

What will happen to hunting and fishing within the park?

The Canada National Parks Act allows fishing within national parks, but not hunting. Parks Canada is looking at ways to potentially mitigate the loss of hunting opportunities with the park reserve lands, and this matter will be discussed with local residents during the continuing feasibility study. Fishing is usually permitted in national parks with the purchase of a fishing license.

What will happen to ranchers who have grazing rights within the park area?*

Exiting Crown grazing tenures within the park area will be phased out gradually.

Photo by Graham Osborne.

Can we camp in the park?*

Camping is permitted in certain areas of national parks. Environmentally sensitive areas may be off-limits to camping to safeguard endangered ecosystems and animals. Parks Canada is looking into creating more campsites within the proposed park boundaries.

What activities will be restricted in the park?

Mining activities, hunting and off-road motorized vehicle use are not allowed within a national park. Grazing on park lands will be phased out over several decades.

So what can I do in the park?

Non-motorized recreation is supported in national parks, including horseback riding, hiking, birding, bike-riding, photography, camping, fishing, climbing, and others. Certain environmentally sensitive areas may be off-limits for habitat protection, but other areas will be open to the public for use. The exact areas will be determined during the feasibility study and the park creation process.

Photo by Graham Osborne.

Will I have to pay to go into the park?

Parks Canada will likely not charge fees until at least a decade after the park is established. Local residents will be consulted before any user fees are implemented.

Will there be a fence around the park?

A fence is not planned at this time, and some ranchers have grazing tenures within the proposed park boundaries. If a fence does need to be built in certain areas, Parks Canada will be responsible for the fence construction and maintenance.

Will I be able to ride my horse and walk my dog in the park?

Yes. Recreational horse riding is allowed in many national parks, and Parks Canada will continue to allow it in the proposed park reserve. Horseback riding may be restricted from some environmentally sensitive areas. Dogs are allowed in national parks, but under the National Parks Act, they must be on-leash and under your control at all times.

Photo by Graham Osborne.

Will we have to pay to use roads that pass through the park?

No. Through-traffic on roads that pass through national parks does not pay for use of the roads.

If there is no grazing, what will happen with the increased risk of wildfire?

In national parks across Canada, there is an aggressive wildfire fighting strategy to protect communities outside the park, and the people inside and outside the park. Parks Canada would work with the Province of British Columbia and municipal agencies to create a wildfire management strategy. Read Park Canada's explaination of how they would prevent and fight wild fires...

What will happen to ALR lands if a park is established?*

The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) applies to provincial lands. If ALR lands become part of the park, they will become federal lands.

How do First Nations feel about a national park?

The First Nations and Parks Canada are discussing the idea of a national park. Proposed park boundaries do not encroach on First Nations reserve land. For more information, please visit our section on First Nations.

Contact politicians today to tell them to help make the national park a reality!