Spotted Lake: The Canadian Wonder That Evaporates Into Polka Dots

If you are looking for a landscape that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie, head to British Columbia, Canada. Located in the Okanagan Valley, Spotted Lake (known as Kliluk to the indigenous Syilx people) transforms into a massive, colorful polka-dot canvas every summer.

Why Does It Turn Into Spots?

The lake is landlocked and contains one of the highest concentrations of minerals in the world.

• The Evaporation: During the intense summer heat, most of the water evaporates.
• The Minerals: This leaves behind massive deposits of crystallized minerals like magnesium sulfate, calcium, and sodium.
• The Colors: The minerals harden to form natural walkways around circular pools of water. Depending on the specific mineral makeup of each pool, the “spots” shift in color from yellow and green to bright blue.

What You Need to Know Before Visiting

Viewing: You cannot walk on the lake, but you can easily see and photograph the stunning spots directly from the highway observation area.

Location: Highway 3, northwest of Osoyoos, British Columbia.

Access: The lake is a sacred, culturally significant site to the Syilx Okanagan Nation. It is protected by a fence to preserve the delicate ecosystem and respect the heritage.