Sẁiẁs Provincial Park (Haynes Point)
Swiws Provincial Park (Haynes Point), Osoyoos, BC
About Sẁiẁs Provincial Park (Haynes Point), Osoyoos, BC
Sẁiẁs Provincial Park (Haynes Point) is a narrow peninsula of land located on Osoyoos Lake, British Columbia. It is situated in the Okanagan Valley on the outskirts of the small town of Osoyoos and is within the traditional territory of the Osoyoos Indian Band. For thousands of years, the indigenous peoples of the Okanagan have inhabited the lands at Sẁiẁs Provincial Park.
The name Sẁiẁs can be directly translated by Okanagan elders to mean shallow water of narrowing of the waters. This particular name was given to the peninsula to recognize it as an important place to cross the lake and was used as such for many millennia.
The park itself is a gorgeous strip of land that extends almost across the entirety of Osoyoos Lake and when the water is low during the summer you can pretty much walk to the other side. The park’s shores are lined with picturesque beaches that are perfect for family picnics and are open for public day use. Sẁiẁs Provincial Park also provides campers with 41 vehicle-accessible campsites 7 of which are doubles campsites for large families and groups. Rates are $32 for one site per night or $16 for senior citizens.
Swiws Provincial Park (Haynes Point), Osoyoos, BC
How to Get There
Address: Okanagan-Similkameen A, BC V0H 1V0
Map of Swiws Provincial Park (Haynes Point)
Swiws Provincial Park (Haynes Point), Osoyoos, BC
History of Sẁiẁs Provincial Park (Haynes Point)
Sẁiẁs Provincial Park (Haynes Point) is considered an important archaeological and cultural heritage site. Ancient artifacts that have been found here tell a story of the Osoyoos Indian Band’s ancient ancestors that roamed the Okanagan Valley and used the park as their lake crossing area and have even lived here in the past. Remains of ancient humans have been uncovered at Sẁiẁs in previous years but have since been reburied. The bones were carbon-dated to be around 1,224 years old. More bones of hunted animals were dug up and found to be 3,265 – 4,475 years old proving that the Okanagan peoples have been using this land for thousands of years. There was also the mind-blowing discovery of obsidian flakes that have been analyzed to be from the Whitewater Ridge in Oregon, the U.S.A. which adds validity to the idea that tribes traveled hundreds if not thousands of miles to trade with each other using routes along the Columbia River Basin.
Nearly two hundred years ago the notorious Hudson’s Bay Fur Brigade made its way through the valley bringing with it European settlements and changing the way of life in Osoyoos forever. The arrival of Europeans brought forth colonization and pioneers came to the valley to seek out prosperity, eventually realizing that Osoyoos would make the perfect place to grow fruit. The valley eventually filled up with dreamy folks looking to make their living using Osoyoos’s perfect growing conditions.
Swiws Provincial Park (Haynes Point), Osoyoos, BC
Wildlife at Swiws Provincial Park (Haynes Point)
The park contains an important habitat and ecosystem for a variety of wildlife including rare and endangered species like the western small-footed myotis bat, the barn owl, the spadefoot toad, and the painted turtle. Perhaps the rarest and most endangered animal in the region is the tiger salamander.
Swiws Provincial Park (Haynes Point), Osoyoos, BC
More Osoyoos Attractions
Osoyoos, British Columbia is a very popular summertime tourist destination as it is the warmest and sunniest place in Canada and has an average year-round temperature of 17 degrees. It so warm by Canadian standards that snow Birds actually flock here in the winter to get away from the colder parts of the country. Osoyoos has plenty of fun attractions including beaches, parks, resorts, hiking trails, a small amusement park, orchards, wineries, and a ton of watersport activities.
Here are some more attractions in Osoyoos.
Pioneer Walkway
Osoyoos Lake Regional Park
Cottonwood Park
Osoyoos Park
Osoyoos Dune
Osoyoos Beach Walk
Legion Beach Park
More Okanagan Valley Beaches and Lakes
