The Okanagan Valley – Vineyards, Orchards, Sunshine and Ogopogo
As we say goodbye to Vancouver, we head into the great Okanagan Valley - land of lakes, wineries and apple and peach orchards. During our drive, we see the beautiful farmlands of the Fraser Valley and check out the amazing trees and waterfall at Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park near Hope. We then head into the Okanagan desert, where we will enjoy the heat, dryness, and of course, the products of all the orchards and vineyards. We make a quick stop in Merritt, Canada’s Country Music Capital and home of the Merritt Mountain Music Festival. It's a great overview of the Nicola Valley and from there it is a peaceful coast down to Lake Okanagan, where we’re camping right on the edge of the lake.
Camping in the Okanagan Valley
Beautiful, sandy/pebbly beaches surrounded by ponderosa pine and sagebrush make this Okanagan campground the perfect spot for swimming and water activities. At the two large campgrounds in the park there are panoramic views, picnic sites and interpretive programs which run from late June through Labour Day weekend. The Park has flush toilets, free hot showers, and a boat launch. Over 10,000 trees were planted here, transforming a dry hillside into an arboretum. Pets on leash are permitted. During the summer season this park has a concession located at the South campground gatehouse and managed by the Park Facility Operator.
Here’s Hello BC’s description on the Okanagan Valley:
“The Okanagan region is famous for its golf courses, orchards, ski resorts and vineyards as well as the wildly varied landscape. To the north of the central wine-and-fruit producing valley are vast boreal forests, and to the south the desert of the Great Basin. The highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies is here, as is a waterfall twice the height of Niagara Falls and Canada's only true desert environment.” - Hello BC
Okanagan Winery Tours
The Okanagan Valley is known for its picturesque wineries that overlook the lake. The climate and setting provides the perfect conditions for growing wine grapes and the quality of grapes grown here produces some of the best wines in Canada and is known throughout the world. After lunch on the beach, we head to a winery tour in Summerland, to learn about Canada’s wine making origins, wander the vineyards, tour the wine making facilities and, of course, sample some of British Columbia’s best wine and ice cream too. The fun is just starting as we leave the winery and head to the canal float, between the two lakes, one of the most popular activities in Penticton, as we jump in the river and float for a couple of hours, soaking up the sun and suds, with the hopes of seeing Elvis – he is quite the performer along the canal! A restful evening waits as we drink our wine, and watch the sunset over the lake all while keeping an eye out for the infamous Ogopogo.
Of course, many other options are available if this doesn’t sound like your scene. For “Choose Your Own Adventures” you can ride along the Kettle Valley Railway in a historic steam train, hike the hills, spend some time on the water in a sea doo, jet ski, go windsurfing or just hang out by the “Peach On The Beach” and people watch. As we wake to the sound of the lake lapping on shore, we get on the trail again and after passing through Oliver, BC, we stop to see one of the most beautiful wineries in the area – Tin Horn Creek Winery. A self-guided tour of the winery gives us a great idea of how excellent Canadian wines are grown, made and stored all while taking in the panoramic views of the Okanagan Valley. A light lunch is served after arriving on the lakeshore of Osoyoos, BC. A dip in the lake, maybe some water volleyball and we are on our way to the Kootenays.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Kettle Valley Steam Train
Guided Wine Tours
Classic Car Museum and Tours
Winery Tours
Canal Float
Swimming in Lake Okanagan
Lazy day at the beach!
