Giant’s Head Mountain Park is a popular destination offering panoramic views, diverse hiking trails, and year-round outdoor recreation opportunities near Penticton, British Columbia.
Giant’s Head Mountain Park is located at the northern end of Penticton in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. The park features a prominent volcanic mountain peak rising 1,175 meters above sea level, providing outstanding views of the surrounding lakes and valley below. The geology of the area includes volcanic rock formations resulting from ancient lava flows. Ecologically, the park supports a dry, mixed grassland and forest environment, with Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and coastal sagebrush among the dominant plant species. Wildlife includes mule deer, coyotes, various bird species, and occasional sightings of rattlesnakes. Established as a municipal park, Giant’s Head Mountain offers a network of maintained trails catering to hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and nature photographers. Seasonal activities include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during winter. Notable landmarks include the giant volcanic head-shaped summit that gives the park its name and several lookouts that showcase views of Okanagan Lake, Skaha Lake, and the surrounding Okanagan Valley. The park is a favored spot for locals and visitors seeking a challenging hike and rewarding vistas close to the city, making it a key outdoor recreation area in the region.
Summit viewpoint offering expansive scenery of Okanagan and Skaha Lakes
Unique volcanic rock formations and basalt columns
Diverse seasonal wildflower displays in spring and early summer
Remote hiking trails leading to quieter, less frequented areas of the park
The park's namesake summit features panoramic views across the Okanagan Valley and surrounding lakes from the top of an ancient volcanic formation.
Distinctive columnar basalt rock formations resulting from historic lava coolings, visible along several hiking trails.
Colorful seasonal wildflowers bloom in the spring and early summer across open meadows, offering great opportunities for nature observation.