Spotted Lake
Spotted Lake
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
358 reviews
Excellent
116
Very good
113
Average
100
Poor
17
Terrible
12
Cdngirllovestodive
Toronto, Canada44 contributions
Aug. 2022
Spotted lake is exactly as you see it in the pictures! It is closed off, but you can definitely see it from the road. There is a small area where 2-3 cars can park.
Written August 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kulwinder
2 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
You can only see it from far away. It was nice but there is no place to park your vehicle and enjoy the lake properly.
Written May 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jonathankerr
Guelph, Canada45 contributions
Sep. 2021
My pictures do not do the lake justice. The spots do not help with understanding of the lake. The lake was very quiet and very detailed.
Written October 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PookyCake
Victoria, Canada13,665 contributions
Jun. 2021
In the lead-up to our Okanagan adventure, my partner spied a number of tantalizing photos of Spotted Lake. To quote Spot Cool Stuff, it looked like a “scene [from] a Dr. Seuss book.” This saline endorheic alkali lake, with its “spots” of varying colours, looked like a “must stop” location; thus, we made sure it was part of our Osoyoos itinerary.
Following a busy and productive day in Kelowna and Osoyoos, we made our way along Highway 3 – northwest of Osoyoos – towards the site for Spotted Lake. We very nearly missed our destination because the pullout is extremely small. I’d say there’s just enough room for 2 vehicles. Anyway, imagine our surprise when we pull up and observe the lake from the designated viewpoint and see . . . a brown pool of water. Some of the lake’s “spots” were visible, but just barely. I can only assume the water level was too high as of late June? Anyway, so much for the yellow, green and blue spots visible in the various photos online. The vibrant “environmental anomaly” we were hoping to see certainly wasn’t visible on the day of our visit.
It’s a shame Spotted Lake proved to be such a lame duck because the Indigenous history and science behind it are actually quite interesting. The Okanagan First Nation, both historically and in the current day, have used the mineral deposits for natural healing of aches and pains. The science describes where and how these minerals – which include magnesium sulfate, calcium and sodium sulphates and low amounts of silver and titanium – come from and form the signature “spots” that draw the tourists in. Together, these two elements – culture and science – create a story that was even worthy of comment from the New York Times.
Much to our chagrin, though, you have to be here at the right time to appreciate Spotted Lake as it appears in the propaganda photos. As such, for us, it was far from “the most magical place in Canada,” to quote the CBC. Instead, we share the sentiments of another tourist who stopped by Spotted Lake while we were there: He walked to the gate, said “hmph,” and returned to his vehicle. Indeed, that about sums up our experience.
Following a busy and productive day in Kelowna and Osoyoos, we made our way along Highway 3 – northwest of Osoyoos – towards the site for Spotted Lake. We very nearly missed our destination because the pullout is extremely small. I’d say there’s just enough room for 2 vehicles. Anyway, imagine our surprise when we pull up and observe the lake from the designated viewpoint and see . . . a brown pool of water. Some of the lake’s “spots” were visible, but just barely. I can only assume the water level was too high as of late June? Anyway, so much for the yellow, green and blue spots visible in the various photos online. The vibrant “environmental anomaly” we were hoping to see certainly wasn’t visible on the day of our visit.
It’s a shame Spotted Lake proved to be such a lame duck because the Indigenous history and science behind it are actually quite interesting. The Okanagan First Nation, both historically and in the current day, have used the mineral deposits for natural healing of aches and pains. The science describes where and how these minerals – which include magnesium sulfate, calcium and sodium sulphates and low amounts of silver and titanium – come from and form the signature “spots” that draw the tourists in. Together, these two elements – culture and science – create a story that was even worthy of comment from the New York Times.
Much to our chagrin, though, you have to be here at the right time to appreciate Spotted Lake as it appears in the propaganda photos. As such, for us, it was far from “the most magical place in Canada,” to quote the CBC. Instead, we share the sentiments of another tourist who stopped by Spotted Lake while we were there: He walked to the gate, said “hmph,” and returned to his vehicle. Indeed, that about sums up our experience.
Written October 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ronb712
Mission, Canada211 contributions
Sep. 2021
Not really a go to place but more of a drive by and look or pull over and take a picture or two place. It was pretty dry when we saw it but it's been a very dry year up there so to be expected!
Written October 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brigitte L
Calgary, Canada254 contributions
Oct. 2021 • Couples
You can only view this phenomenon from the road as the site is of cultural importance and fragile. It’s worth the stop. Rings are formed by minerals after evaporation.
Written October 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sashakeena
Vancouver, Canada11,345 contributions
Sep. 2021
Interesting to note that so many reviewers comment about this Lake? Unique to see, however no access for the public.
Written September 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimParkway
Toronto, Canada2,093 contributions
Sep. 2020
This lake is closed from public. You can see the lake only from a distance, off the highway. There is small parking area in front of the entrance.
The place can be missed easily, best to check ahead so you can recognize the entrance sign. Still, it is difficult to appreciate the lake from a distance. Furthermore, you can't see much if water level was too high.
The place can be missed easily, best to check ahead so you can recognize the entrance sign. Still, it is difficult to appreciate the lake from a distance. Furthermore, you can't see much if water level was too high.
Written November 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IntrepidYVR
Vancouver34 contributions
Oct. 2020
Its an interesting mineral lake full of salt and other minerals. Information posted there suggests that it was used by First Nations to heal. One can only look at it from a vanatge point.
Written October 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ND F
Vancouver, Canada367 contributions
Aug. 2020
This small lake (large pond) is right off the highway on the west side of town. If you’re driving fast, you may miss it. Most folks just pull off the highway and park. There’s a sign indicating the lake and what causes the phenomena. It’s interesting to take a few photos of but not an activity you’d spend a lot of time at.
Written August 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Getalife8
Warrandyte, Australia76 contributions
Hi anyone,
We’re wondering whether there are any spots likely over this next few days or week ( mid September) as we’ll take this route if so! Thanks,
Mitch7775
Abbotsford, Canada77 contributions
We went by about a week ago and there was nothing. From the water levels being so high over the spring, there was a ton of fresh water that went into the spotted lake and they disappeared. Stop and check, they may be back and its a cool thing to see.
Pierre-Nicolas S
Brussels, Belgium
Hello,
Driving from Vancouver to the spotted lake, are there any other photogenic locations not to miss ?
Thank you
wgs649
Surrey, Canada10 contributions
Sorry, I did not see your question earlier. There are some neat things to see around the town of Hedley--the remains of the mine that operated there for many years (and does some tours-which I have not personally been on yet). There is also the Grist Mill in Keremeos, which we enjoyed visiting on one of our trips past that area.
Kristine H
Castle Rock, CO1 contribution
Is it legal to take a dip?
hope2like
Edmonton, Canada50 contributions
The area is fenced off at some distance away from the lake. Best activity would be photography with a long lens!
kenpaulrosenthal
San Francisco, CA
Hello,
I'm a San Francisco, California-based photographer who would like to visit Spotted Lake near Osoyoos during the week of August 15 OR the week of August 22. I know the color and dryness of the lake bed are subject to the whims of nature. But I'd like to purchase my ticket very soon to take advantage of the cheap fares, and would very much appreciate your thoughts about which week is better. What are the water levels like now? Ideally, I'd like the rings to be distinct with some color, and maybe a bit of water in order to pick up and sky and cloud reflections. Well aware it's a crap shoot, but given the distance I'm traveling, I'd like to make as informed a guess as possible.
Lastly, can you refer me to a local naturalist or organization that has a strong interest in and knowledge of the phenomena, whom I might follow up with for advice?
Thank you very much, Ken
Hawk M
Kelowna, Canada44 contributions
Most of the water in the lake evaporates over the summer, revealing colorful mineral deposits. Large “spots” on the lake appear and are colored according to the mineral composition and seasonal amount of precipitation.Most of the water in the lake evaporates over the summer, revealing colorful mineral deposits. Large “spots” on the lake appear and are colored according to the mineral composition and seasonal amount of precipitation.
What is the best time of year to photograph Spotted Lake?
Hawk M
Kelowna, Canada44 contributions
Anytime but the lake’s spots show most from June to through September.
SPOTTED LAKE - 2023 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Spotted Lake
- Hotels near Spotted Lake:
- (9.99 km) Sandy Beach Suites
- (3.59 km) Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Guest House
- (10.58 km) Spirit Ridge
- (7.40 km) The Villa at Hester Creek
- (11.81 km) Coast Oliver Hotel
- Restaurants near Spotted Lake:
- (1.67 km) Backyard Farm
- (3.58 km) The Sonora Room
- (2.45 km) Masala Bistro at Kismet Winery
- (7.60 km) Terrafina at Hester Creek
- (8.95 km) Jojo's Cafe