Lake Okaro is a significant taonga (treasure) to the Ngati Whaoa / Ngati Tahu tribes. The reserve is located from Waimangu Road. Surrounded by farms, the lake has poor water quality but is safe for recreational activities including trout fishing and waterskiing. The lake is home to the grey teal, paradise shelduck and dabchick.

The lake is now used for recreational purposes such as boating, water skiing, and fishing. There is a campground alongside the lake by Okaro Road, with parking and public toilets available. An area of wetland has been created nearby to filter some of the water running into the lake.

The walkway around the lake is about 2.3 km long, and is shown as taking one hour. This walk, in a clockwise direction from the campground, took 40 minutes.