50 Outdoor Adventures in the Okanagan Valley

The Okanagan Valley combines a variety of fantastic outdoor activities with gorgeous scenery. This is a great area to explore the lakes, canyons, historical areas, mountain peaks and cities while you enjoy a hike, bike, sail, or paddle. Whether it be summer or winter, spring or fall, the outdoor lover in you will welcome the opportunity to explore the fantastic fishing opportunities, the variety of hikes available, the chance to skim the lakes and river waters, or to play in the powdery snow. This is a destination that will have you returning time after time, year after year, to experience every aspect of the wilderness and protected parks. Choose to stay in a campground, resort or hotel which you are here, there are plenty through the region, along with a multitude of culinary treats.

Hardy Falls Hike

This is a short trail located by Peachland, less than a mile in total walking to the waterfall and back. The trail is an easy access walk that is suitable for anyone who would like a short hike to a beautiful spot. Walking quickly, you can make it to the falls in about ten minutes, but many people take it slow, up to a thirty minute walk each way. The creek is home to salmon in the fall, just one more attraction to the canyon. A great way to get into the outdoors if you don’t have much time.
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Apex Mountain Ski Resort

Just west of Penticton, this ski resort is great for spend a day or two on the slopes. The mild winters in the Okanagan Valley make it a fantastic place to enjoy snow sports of all kinds. The best thing about this four-lift resort is that, although it has fantastic snow conditions and runs, is not as popular or well known as the bigger resorts in the area, which means there are a lot less people. The 79+ marked trails and numerous unmarked trails mean that there are a variety of levels of slopes available and lessons for all ages.
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Knox Mountain Park and Paul’s Tomb Hike

The largest of Kelowna’s natural areas, Knox Mountain Park is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. There are actually six well traveled trails here but one in particular stands out – the hike to Paul’s Tomb. Located on Knox Mountain, this is an easy hike that should take you about an hour in total to go and return. The views are incredible and there is a tomb near the end, which has a great story behind it so do some reading before you head up. At the end of the trail there is a lovely little secluded beach, along with lots of benches along the trail, so there are plenty of places to sit and rest or enjoy the fresh air.
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Climb Skaha Bluffs

Climbing enthusiasts will want to include this destination on their to do list, as this is one of the most popular places to climb in the province. With over 50 crags there are plenty of routes to choose from, with grades ranging from 5.0 to 5.13, and an amazing number of 5.10 to 5.12 routes. Being so close to Penticton allows climbers to spend days out climbing and nights in the city.
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Tube the Shuswap River

You need to do a bit of planning if you are going to enjoy this summer activity but once you have everything in place it provides a leisurely outdoor adventure that you will remember as one of your favourites. There is no shuttle service or tube rental available here, so you need to be sure to park a vehicle at each end in order to get back to the start. Take all your own equipment and lots of sunscreen! Make sure you read all the recommendations about tubing in the area and be careful to preserve this fragile environment.
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Cast a Line at Mabel Lake

East of Enderby you will come across the long, deep Mabel Lake. Fishing is available here year-round but make sure you check limits and restrictions on areas before going out. During summer months try your hand at catching some trout or wait until autumn months for salmon. Don’t forget that if you are fishing anywhere in the province you will require a valid fishing license. If you don’t feel confident going out on your own, or if you don’t have a boat or fishing tackle with you, book with a local fishing tour company.
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Paddle Echo Lake

On a nice summer day you may want to choose to spend some time on the water, so why not head to Echo Lake, near Lumby, to spend an enjoyable day paddling. At Echo Lake Resort you can rent paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, power boats and paddleboats, so there is something for every desire and skill level. Enjoy the tranquility and scenery as you make your way over the waters. If you want to ramp up your experience, you can also go fishing here.
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Rent a Sea Doo

Just one of the many ways to enjoy the waters of Okanagan Lake, renting a Jet Ski will give you the thrill of speed while exploring the lake and shoreline. The lake itself is 135 kilometers long and 4 to 5 kilometers wide, so there is a lot of space to explore! You will need a credit card and to be 19 years of age or older to enjoy renting from any of the companies located in Kelowna. There are a variety of boats also available for rent from most places.
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Hike, Cycle or Snowshoe the Myra Canyon Trestles

Outside of Kelowna you can find some great hiking and biking trails, including the Myra Canyon Trestles, which were part of part of the Kettle Valley Railway. During the winter this unique trail can be enjoyed by snowshoeing as well. There are two tunnels and eighteen trestle bridges to travel over and through. If you are not comfortable with doing this on your own, join a tour with one of the local companies. Great views and amazing history await you along this beautiful trail.
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Camels Hump Hike

Accessed from Lumby, be aware that the road to get to this trail is extremely rough. Camel’s Hump is a prominent peak in the area and has phenomenal views from the top. This is listed as a moderate hike and should take about two hours total for the round trip. There are many lookouts along this trail that provide excellent photo opportunities of the valley, surrounding mountains and even nearby towns.
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Denison Lake Hike

This 11-kilometer round trip trail is appropriate for hiking for those who are looking for a moderate level walk. Located within Denison-Bonneau Provincial Park about a half hour east of Vernon, this trail gives hikers an excellent opportunity to go through remaining old-growth forest to the beautiful lake and some interesting volcanic formations. There is good fishing here if you feel like toting your equipment along with you.
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Spectrum Lake Hike

Located in Monashee Provincial Park, this is a popular destination for both locals and travellers. This is another lake that is abundant with fish, namely rainbow trout. This is a beginner to moderate hike that can provide a wilderness camping opportunity as well as there are tent platforms, pit toilets and piped drinking water available. The trail length is 11-kilometers in total, so estimate a round trip of about four hours. Please be aware that grizzlies are frequent in the area.
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Twin Lakes Hike

Meant for experienced intermediate to advanced hikers, this hike is best done from July to September. As it winds to a higher altitude you may still find snow here up to the third week of July, so be prepared with appropriate gear. The length is only about 8-kilometers return but has a significant elevation gain along the way. There are several other additional trails from the lakes that you can use to get to the peaks for amazing views of the area.
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Monashee Lake Hike

This is not a hike that beginners, or even intermediate hikers should attempt. It is a difficult trail with an elevation gain of over 700 meters. The entire round trip is about 9.5 kilometers long, but you need to allow for about 5 hours to do it without hurrying. The beautiful glacier fed lake is well worth the walk though. It is advisable to have a GPS with you for this hike.
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Tsuius Mountain Trails to Mirror Lake

Part of the Sawtooth Mountain range, Tsuius is reached by several different trails. Defined as difficult, this particular hike can be completed as a long day hike or as a two-day hike, with an overnight camp at Mirror Lake. The beautiful sub-alpine terrain affords fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and an exhilarating hike. This is also grizzly terrain, so keep your eyes out.
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Vista Pass Hike

Following a creek up to the alpine peaks, you need about five hours to complete this trail. You gain just over 700 meters as you head up, so it is not recommended for beginner hikers. The view from the top is spectacular and from the alpine meadows you can wander up to the ridges to get better views. Located by Lumby, you can easily access this trail from Vernon.
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Okanagan ATV Tours

If you are new to ATV’s or don’t own your own, this is a great chance to explore the area on a guided ATV tour. This company offers year-round adventures for all skill levels and there are tours of either two or four hours available. Have some outdoor fun while hearing the stories and history of the area from the professional guides. All equipment is provided.
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Beaver Lake Mountain Resort

A nice place to get a bit more off the beaten track as you explore the variety of outdoor activities available here, along with comfortable cabins and camping options. Take advantage of the choices here, such as fishing, swimming, boating, hiking and biking. Take your own equipment or rent what you need from the resort.
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Fishing at Dee Lake Wilderness Resort

One of the fantastic things about the Okanagan Valley is the untamed wilderness that can be so easily accessed. This heritage resort has been here since 1926 and provides visitors with some world-class fishing opportunities. If you would like to visit during the winter you can rent cabins by the month, otherwise make sure you reserve for at least a couple of nights in order to properly enjoy that area. Fishing equipment and boats are available to rent if you don’t have your own.
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Eneas Lake Provincial Park

West of the town of Peachland you will find a bit of remote wilderness in the form of this provincial park area. This is a very off the beaten track place to go to fish, hike, camp or canoe, but be aware that access is by 4×4 only and you should pack everything you might need for a backwoods adventure. There are four lakes in the park which have small rainbow trout, don’t forget that you require a permit to fish.
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Penticton to Oliver or via the KVR

Considered one of the exceptional bike rides in the south Okanagan, you travel along the Kettle Valley Rail trail from the town of Penticton to the town of Oliver. Of course, there are several other places where you can either turn around to head back or choose to leave the trail. This is an appropriate biking path for all skill levels and takes you along the lake for beautiful views. Please note it is not possible to currently ride all the way to Osoyoos without riding part of the way on the highway.
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Three Blind Mice Mountain

Accessed from Penticton, the Three Blind Mice trails overlook the Okanagan Lake. The downhill trails let you bike through beautiful forested areas and provides riders with views of the lake and surrounding orchards and vineyards. There are actually something like 80 trails here, so you can spend all day exploring without stopping!
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The Trans-Canada Trail near Summerland

The Trans-Canada Trail, also known as the Great Trail, is a network of greenways, waterways, and roadways that stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic oceans and provides outdoor enthusiasts ample opportunities to enjoy themselves. Near Summerland you can easily access the 61- kilometer hiking or biking route between Summerland and Osprey Lake. Portions of this trail are also wheelchair and stroller friendly.
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Giant’s Head Grind

This annual event in Summerland allows runners and walkers to have some extreme outdoor fun while donating to a good cause. This race takes you from Peach Orchard Park to Giants Head Peak. All the funds raised in 2020 will go to the Summerland Rotary Club benefiting Colon Cancer Diagnostics and Research and the continued upkeep and improvement of the trail system in Giants Head Park.
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Kelowna Stables Horse Riding & Bike Barn

Year-round horseback riding adventures can be had at the Kelowna Stables, located at the Myra Canyon Ranch. A short drive from downtown Kelowna has you at the stables, from which you can access a variety of trail rides for all skill levels. With a variety of landscapes and tour lengths to choose from, you will be able to have a chance to enjoy some horseback fun.
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Mount Kobau Trail Network

Located in the South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area, this trail network offers a few trails to take you up to be rewarded with excellent views. The shortest trail is about 1.4 kilometers round trip, the longest about 3 kilometers and both are okay for beginner, intermediate and advanced hikers. Wildflowers abound in early summer and from the top you can see the surrounding vineyards, orchards, wetlands and grasslands.
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Golden Mile Trail

The Golden Mile Trail is a 10-kilometer hike through the Tinhorn Creek vineyard and past the Tinhorn Creek gold mine ruins. The access to this trail is through the vineyard itself with permission from the landowners, so don’t worry about trespassing. There is a bit of a steep section that will reward you with outstanding views of Oliver and towards Osoyoos. Eventually you will come along to the stamp mill ruins and the creek itself with its refreshingly cool water. You can return the same way and enjoy a meal or a glass of wine at the vineyard!
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Giant’s Head

Summerland is home to Giant’s Head Park which offers a great hiking opportunity. The mountain was formed by an ancient volcano and provides incredible views from the top. The hike from the parking lot is short but worth it, only about 15 minutes to the summit, so nothing extremely straining and accessible to everyone. Otherwise, if you would like harder walk, start from the trailhead on Milne Road.
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Naramata Creek Park

Plan for about an hour to complete this 2.4-kilometer hike that will take you to some fantastic waterfalls. The track at the beginning is quite well maintained but as you continue on you will find that it deteriorates and you will have to cross the creek once or twice on rocks or through the water, so it is not the ideal path to walk during the spring when the waters are high.
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Okanagan Mountain Park

For avid boaters there are ample opportunities to enjoy the waters here. From short canoe or kayak trips to multiday adventures, the coastal waters of the Okanagan Lake with its spectacular scenery is the perfect place to spend some time paddling. There are marine park campsites available for those who are doing multiple days. Take some extra time to enjoy the lovely secluded beaches.
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Peach Cliff Trail

In Okanagan Falls, Peach Cliff Mountain is a well-known landmark. This is not a well marked trail and there is not a lot of parking, so note down the directions before you leave. There used to be a mine in the area, so there are some cool things to see along the path, including ore samples. Of course, like a lot of the hikes in the area, this one comes with an amazing view at the end.
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Haynes Point

This is an absolutely unique place to spend an overnight camping. This natural spit of land in the middle of Osoyoos Lake measures about 60 feet across and provides views of both Canada and the United States! Campsites are lakeside and there is plenty to keep you busy. Fishing, hiking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing are possible here. Bird lovers will enjoy the chances of seeing a variety of wrens, blackbirds and swifts. Be sure to book your campsite early in the year as they fill up quickly.
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Play Disc Golf

At the Rotary Marina View course in Penticton lovers of disc golf will enjoy the fun 9-hole course. One of the best things about this activity is that it is free, but also a much easier (to some) version of golf. This course is a great one for those who haven’t played before, or who want to hone up their throwing skills. Good for all ages, you do need to provide your own discs or frisbees.
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Nickel Plate Lake

This lake by Penticton provides a chance to go alpine fishing for a variety of fish including carp, rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, bullhead, dolly varden and cutthroat trout. No matter is you are baitcasting, trolling, fly fishing or spinning, your chances of getting a bite here are pretty good. This lake is a good place for ice fishing as well if you are interested in a winter adventure. Please make sure you get a fishing license before heading out.
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Spotted Lakes

The wonder of the Spotted Lakes in Osoyoos is a draw for many travellers. It is a small lake rich in a variety of minerals, including calcium, sodium sulphates and magnesium sulphate. During the hot summer months, the water in the lake evaporates, leaving concentrations of these minerals that form the spots visible in the lake. Through the summer, the spots shift in size and colour as the minerals within each change with further evaporation. Colours ranging from blue to green to yellow appear, depending on the mineral makeup of each individual spot. You can view these from a point but the best way to discover them are with a guided tour.
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Rattlesnake Island

On Okanagan Lake you will find the unique little Rattlesnake Island. Take a paddle out to discover its fascinating history and explore the island. Once designed by a private businessman for a tourist attraction before being shut down by the government, this island still holds remnants of the planned min-golf course and foundations of other buildings. Enjoy the short paddle out and back and don’t forget to check the water to see if you can catch a glimpse of Ogopogo!
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Baldy Mountain Resort

Find some winter outdoor fun at Baldy Mountain Resort, one of the top ten highest elevation ski hills in Canada. With season long powder and generally excellent weather conditions, this off the beaten track resort offers groomed runs along with cross country skiing and snowshoeing paths. As well, Baldy Mountain is the most reasonably priced ski hill in the Okanagan.
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Yellow Lake

The fishing in the Okanagan region is phenomenal and Yellow Lake is just another opportunity for fishing lovers to throw a line in. This is a popular trolling lake near Penticton and easily accessible. Look for rainbow trout, kokanee and brook trout, as well as perch here. Fly fishing and ice fishing are also a popular activity here.
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Carmi Cross Country Ski Trails

Just by Penticton there are 17-kilometers of well marked ski and snowshoe trails to be enjoyed by outdoor lovers of all skill levels. It is common to see big horned sheep and deer in this area so be prepared to share the trail with wildlife. The moments of snowshoeing through the glistening silver and white landscapes will be imprinted on your memory for a lifetime.
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Nickel Plate Nordic Centre

Less than an hour outside Penticton you will find some world class groomed trails on which to enjoy cross country skiing or snowshoeing. With 56-kilometers of trails for skate skiing and classic skiing, along with 16-kilometres of marked snowshoe trails, this area will be a haven for winter sport lovers. If you are in the area without your own equipment, never fear, as the lodge rents everything you may require and has a warm chalet to enjoy after your activity.
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Osoyoos Lake Paddle Boarding

This is a fantastic place to start or try paddle boarding for the first time, especially when the lake is calm. Even though you may experience the wake of passing boats, the water is so clear that you can see the bottom which gives an amazing quality of experience. The combination of surfing and kayaking has created a unique way of enjoying the water and is very beneficial to your health. Bring your own or rent from one of the local companies.
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The Enderby Cliffs

With phenomenal views of the Shuswap and the North Okanagan, the cliffs offer hikers a unique view of the area. The well marked trail is good for moderate to expert hikers because of the elevation gain of 868 meters. The trail goes all the way to the summit, but most walkers stop at the 5.6-kilometer mark as there aren’t any views after this. The entire trail one way is just over 7-kilometers. Plan for at least 4 hours return.
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Paragliding, Hang Gliding and Ultra Lights

This is a whole different way of seeing the Okanagan Valley. What better way to experience some adventure than in the air? That’s the purpose of the Freedom Flight Park near Lumby. With two-foot mountain launches within gliding distance, a 2000′ grass runway, hangars and a pilots’ lounge, this site has exactly what you need to enjoy flying or gliding. Take advantage of the training programs available if you are interested but aren’t experienced.
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Squally Point

If you are looking for an adventure underwater, this dive site on the Okanagan Lake outside Kelowna is the perfect place for an experienced diver. The lake is about 780 feet deep and the best visibility is during the spring, fall and winter months. This is an advanced level dive to the cave home of the legendary Ogopogo. It is only accessible by boat and the cave entrance is about 20 feet deep. Follow recommendations for entering the cave.
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Kalamalka Lake

This little lake is a fabulous place to go paddling, boating and swimming. Only four kilometers outside of Vernon, this is a smaller lake than some in the area, only 21 kilometers long. What makes this such a fantastic place to spend time on the water is because of the unique color of the water. Depending on the time of year the color of the water can range from deep blue, to turquoise to indigo to bright green. Take a breath from paddling and take in the beautiful surroundings.
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Parasailing

Take a chance and fly with a family owned and operated business to experience a new adventure at Lake Okanagan. No experience is necessary as the company provides instruction and everything you need to soar high. The peace and quiet as you soar over stunning landscapes of the lake and the city of Kelowna is something that you won’t ever forget.
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Diving in Fintry Provincial Park

Between Kelowna and Vernon, you will find this interesting little provincial park. There are several notable activities available here, which is why we have chosen to split this into two categories. This is an interesting place to dive, as you can swim down to explore the wreck of a Canadian Pacific Railway barge which used to haul cargo around Lake Okanagan. It lies in 25 to 60 feet of water and the interior can be accessed if you are a certified wreck diver.
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Hiking in Fintry Provincial Park

The hike to Fintry Falls is nicknamed the “Stairway to Waterfall Heaven” and once you tackle this short hike to see them for yourself, you will wholeheartedly agree. The walk is only about 2-kilometers round trip and is considered an easy one. There are around 400 stairs to climb up and down though, so keep this in mind if you have bad knees. There are several other smaller waterfalls that you can see if you keep walking past the main one. If you want, extend your hike to some of the historical sites in the area.
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Carrot Mountain Bluffs

Bluffs in the Kelowna area create fantastic opportunities for some short hikes. The chance to get to the top and see the area from above is incentive enough, not to mention the opportunity to view wildlife and walk through the natural sub-alpine terrain. Just a short distance from Kelowna, this hike is considered difficult as it is quite steep. The return trip is just over 4 kilometers, but you need to estimate anywhere from 1.5 hours to 3 hours to complete the hike. The steep uphill climb turns into a technical downhill descent on the return journey.
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Paul’s Tomb Diving

Not all diving opportunities in Lake Okanagan are for advanced divers. With some 18 sites available to dive to in the lake, beginners will also find some interesting places to spend some time underwater, including at Paul’s Tomb. In the bay at Knox Mountain Park you will be able to see an Ogopogo statue at 25 feet and two small boat wrecks in the same area at 30 feet.
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