15 Picturesque Locations in the Okanagan Valley
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
About the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
The Okanagan Valley is a well-known travel destination located in British Columbia, Canada. The valley is becoming increasingly popular and with its abundance of epic scenery, 50 gorgeous lakes, and over 120 wineries, it should come as no surprise why the Okanagan is making its claim to fame on an international level. As you can imagine, with over 50 lakes, the valley features a plethora of beaches, resorts, Provincial Parks, and campgrounds.
If all those beautiful lakes aren’t enough to draw you in, then maybe the fact that the Okanagan has a warmer, and sunnier climate than most of Canada will bring you to the region. Along with the ideal weather comes the perfect growing climate, which allows local farmers to grow many varieties of fruits and vegetables that can’t be grown in other parts of the country. The semi-arid climate is perfect for growing grapes, and as such the valley is full of vineyards and produces world-class wines. Many of the fruits and wines produced in the valley are desirable goods and eventually make their way across the country to regions where they may not be able to produce fruit.
How to Get to Okanagan Valley
Mount Rose Swanson, Armstrong
Mount Rose Swanson, Armstrong
Mount Rose Swanson hiking trails near Armstrong leads hikers to the top of a small mountain range. Once on top, the mountain offers incredible views overlooking the small farming community of Spallumcheen and three lakes, which are Okanagan Lake, Otter Lake, and Swan Lake. The hike is around 1.5 hours to the top and is moderately difficult.
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Mount Rose Swanson, Armstrong
Fintry Provincial Park, Kelowna
Fintry Provincial Park waterfall, Vernon, British Columbia
Fintry Provincial Park is situated along Okanagan Lake on Westside Road and is a natural delta paradise that is richly steeped in historical value and beauty. The park provides tourists with ample attractions and reasons to visit including; campgrounds, beaches, hiking trails, and a gorgeous waterfall to top it off. The road getting out to the park is very scenic and is one of the best Sunday drives in the valley.
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Fintry Provincial Park waterfall, Vernon, British Columbia
Echo Lake Provincial Park, Lumby
Echo Lake Provincial Park
Echo Lake Provincial Park is situated between Lumby and Cherryville in the Creighton Valley area and is the perfect place to escape when wanting to achieve peace and serenity. This mesmerizing lake is surrounded by thickly forested mountains and has lovely crystal clear water which is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. The lake is also a very popular fishing spot and is stocked with rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout, and bull trout.
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Echo Lake Provincial Park
McDougall Rim Trail, West Kelowna
McDougall Rim Trail, Kelowna
McDougall Rim Trail is located in the Central Okanagan on the outskirts of the city of West Kelowna. It provides hikers with a toe-curling cliff to pose on, as well as a breathtaking view of Rose Valley Lake in the forefront and Okanagan Lake in the background. On the way up you will enjoy an excellent view of Mount Boucherie, which is another great hike in the area.
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McDougall Rim Trail, Kelowna
Oyama Lookout, Lake Country
Oyama Lookout, Lake Country
Oyama Lookout is just on the outskirts of the lovely isthmus town of Oyama. This little-known location provides panoramic views of Wood Lake and Kalamalka Lake. There is a cool wooden platform, which could have been built for tents that you can climb on and get some great shots of the valley.
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Oyama Lookout, Lake Country
Adventure Bay Trail, Vernon
Adventure Bay Trail, Vernon
Adventure Bay Trail is an underrated and lesser-known hike in the Adventure Bay area of Vernon and treats hikers to splendid views of Okanagan Lake. The hike takes around 1.5 hours depending on what kind of shape you're in and has some steep and difficult areas. Once on top, you’ll take in 360 views from one of the tallest mountains in the area.
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Adventure Bay Trail, Vernon
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, Vernon
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, Vernon
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park is probably the most popular park in Vernon and perhaps the most beautiful attraction in the Okanagan Valley. Aptly nicknamed the “lake of many colors”, owing to the multitude of colors it produces throughout the seasons, depending on the temperature of the water. Historians say the lake is named after a Hawaiian man that moved to the Okanagan and married a First Nations woman. Kalamalka translates to “the sun of America”, in the Polynesian language. These theories have been disputed by local Okanagan First Nations.
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Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, Vernon
Mabel Lake Provincial Park, Lumby
Mabel Lake Provincial Park
Mabel Lake Provincial Park sits in the middle of a scenic mountain range around 40 minutes from Lumby or Enderby depending on which way you are traveling. It has fairly cold mountain-fed water that stays chilly no matter what time of year you visit but can be welcomed on a hot Okanagan day. The beaches at Mabel are perfect and have nice fine white sand. The park has a large pay campsite as well as some free campsites further down the road.
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Mabel Lake Provincial Park
Okanagan Rail Trail, Lake Country
Okanagan Rail Trail
Okanagan Rail Trail is a recent undertaking in the region and involves a railway that once ran along Kalamalka Lake and several other lakes being converted into a walking and biking trail. The trail is a total of 48.5 km and shows off some of the best scenery and water you will ever lay your eyes on. There is also no shortage of perfect little lagoons along the trail to stop, have a beach picnic, and spend the day relaxing in the endless Okanagan sunshine.
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Okanagan Rail Trail
Spion Kop, Lake Country
Spion Kop, Lake Country
Spion Kop is an up-and-coming trail in Lake Country that is fast becoming one of the more popular hikes in the Okanagan. The trail takes you up to a summit that provides epic views of Okanagan Lake, Wood Lake, and Ellison Lake.
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Spion Kop, Lake Country
Lochview Trail, Kelowna
Lochview Trail, Kelowna
Lochview Trail runs along Okanagan Lake and leads hikers through a mix of wilderness mixed and residential areas with sprawling lakefront mansions. The trail eventually brings you to a nice little park with a beach called Paul’s Tomb. If you're wondering about the tomb, the answer is “yes” there is an actual tomb that was built in 1910. It comes from the Paul family, who once owned the land and wanted to be buried together.
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Lochview Trail, Kelowna
Enderby Cliffs, Enderby
Enderby Cliffs
Enderby Cliffs is a great hike and has spectacular views the whole way up. Watch and enjoy as soaring birds catch the updrafts that are created by wind hitting the sheer face of this 50 million-year-old volcanic behemoth. First Nations people have tales of reverence and consider it a sacred mountain.
The Hike takes the better part of a day and is quite a workout, requiring fairly decent stamina.
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Enderby Cliffs
Pincushion Mountain, Peachland
Pincushion Mountain, Peachland
Pincushion Mountain is a popular hiking spot located high above the little beach town of Peachland. It takes around one hour to scramble to the top and is a fairly difficult hike. Once on top, you’ll be able to take in the insane views of the lake and Okanagan Mountain. There is a Canadian flag planted into the mountaintop that adds a cool patriotic element to any photo you might take and why not celebrate your accomplishment with a fresh local brew from Okanagan Spring Brewery.
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Pincushion Mountain, Peachland
Ellison Provincial Park, Vernon
Ellison Provincial Park, Vernon
Ellison Provincial Park is located around 15 minutes from the city of Vernon. This pristine park is a favorite for us and we often make the 15-minute trip from Vernon. Visitors will enjoy its emerald-colored waters, red sand beaches, and its plethora of different hiking trails. The park is also home to a large campground and concession.
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Pinnacle Lake, Monashee Mountains
Pinnacle Peak, Cherryville, British Columbia, Canada
Pinnacle Lake is an untouched gem of a lake that can only be reached by trekking deep into the wilderness. There are no signs of civilization for many miles and the closest town is Cherryville, which is not really that close at all.
Pinnacle Peak is part of a vast mountain range taking you through several climate zones as you ascend to the top. Once you reach the lake, you will be blown away by the towering cliffs and mirror-like glacial water.
If you happen to visit at the right time of year then you will be treated to an abundance of wild berries.
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Pinnacle Peak, Cherryville, British Columbia, Canada
Nearby Okanagan Attractions
