Oliver, BC : Burnell - Sawmill Lake
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Burnell - Sawmill Lake is a forestry recreation site, situated in the South Okanagan Valley, located north of the community of Oliver, British Columbia, Canada. The lake destination is perched on a hill top, nestled in a small desert valley, surrounded by cacti and sage brush.

The Burnell-Sawmill Lake Forestry Recreation Site is a popular location for fishing, dirt biking and camping. Many come to the fly fishing-only lake for a day of fishing casting for trout. Others come to camp on the shores of the lake to relax, spend time with family or birdwatch.

On our visit, the small lake campground was busy and populated with dirt biking, fishing, horseback riding and atv enthusiasts. Because of the many backcountry gravel roads in the area there are many opportunities for exploring off road. It is important to stay on the trails and roads so to protect the environment and sensitive vegetation.

The lake is small and so is the campground. Each campsite and day use area include a picnic tables, fire pits, lake views and, nearby, are some pit toilets. The recreation site also includes a car top boat launch and a small wooden pier

The south end of Burnell - Sawmill Lake is shallow and includes some low lying mud flats. The flats attracts many birds to the area and is a good spot to set up for birdwatchers. Some birds viewed were Bald Eagles, Blue Heron, sandpipers, swallows, woodpeckers and ducks. Some of the wildlife viewed included painted turtles sunbathing and a black bear.

How to Get to Burnell - Sawmill Lake:

Travel Hwy # 97 towards the local airport. Turn onto Fairfield Road and continue traveling north through the Mount Oliver Protected Area to the Sawmill Burnell Lake FSR. There is a directional sign on Fairfield pointing the way. Follow the Sawmill Burnell Lake gravel road up the hill to the lake. Road is dusty and rough.