Kelowna in the heart of the beautiful Okanagan Valley is a gem of a destination. With its great weather amazing nature and its array of attractions Kelowna is quickly becoming a top summer vacation destination in Western Canada. If you are a camper or RVer it’s probably on your list to visit or already a favourite. While you have many options for where to stay here are our picks for the top campgrounds near Kelowna:
1. Canyon Farms RV Park
Canyon Farms is consistently rated among the top campgrounds near Kelowna by campers. You’ll find this agri-tourism farm tucked away on a ridge just 15 minutes east of downtown Kelowna. It’s a perfect location for close access for both the city and the great outdoors.
The campground features eight spacious pull-through RV site with vehicle parking at each site waste and water hookups washroom and laundry facilities and free WiFi. Nearby you’ll find a grocery and liquor store but you also can enjoy the free-range eggs and poultry fresh vegetables fruits and berries sold on the farm. Sound like perfect ingredients to use in some new recipes !
Canyon Farms is just a five-minute walk away from Scenic Canyon Regional Park part of the 17-kilometer Mission Creek Greenway while golfers can enjoy nearby Gallagher’s Canyon Golf & Country Club one of the top championship courses in Western Canada.
2. Orchard Hill RV Park and Farm
Just 10 minutes northeast of downtown Kelowna you’ll find this 13-acre working farm that has stunning views of its apple and walnut orchards and the Glenmore Valley.
While Orchard Hill does not have tent sites or public washrooms it does have nine spacious tiered and landscaped RV sites – six drive-thru and three back-in – that include water and sewer hookups wireless internet and digital cable TV. A laundry facility and picnic tables are also available. This is a great option for an extended stay away from home without missing any of the conveniences.
3. Fintry Provincial Park
Located 35 kilometers north of Kelowna along Lake Okanagan the 360-hectacre park is on the grounds of the former Fintry Estate. The Manor House and the barn complex have had extensive restoration work done by BC Parks and the Friends of Fintry.
Fintry Provincial Park includes 100 vehicle accessible campsites – of which 85 are reservable between mid-May and early September – and shower facilities. There also is a group camping area that includes a three-lane-wide paved loop around a central grassy area surrounded by three pods located on open lawn. The group camp area offers plenty of room for large RVs.
The park features many recreational options such as canoeing kayaking fishing and hiking or cycling along the Shorts Creek Canyon Trail which passes through a series of waterfalls – including a spectacular triple waterfall – and deep pools.
This is a great option to explore the beautiful nature of the Kelowna area while remaining close to civilization.
4. Bear Creek Provincial Park
Just a 20-minute drive north of Kelowna along the west shore of Lake Okanagan Bear Creek features 143 vehicle-accessible campsites most of which are private and either fully or partly shaded. Each has its own picnic table and fire pit and most are suitable for RVs or tents – although pull-throughs aren’t available.
Amenities include hot showers flush toilets playground lakeside day-use picnic area and a marked beach and swimming area. Concessions are open during the summer months selling ice cold drinks ice cream sundries and some grocery items.
This is a great option for families. There is so much to do from interpretive programs to hiking canoeing and kayaking (rentals available) and more.
5. Sẁiẁs Provincial Park (Haynes Point)
Sẁiẁs (pronounced “soo-yoos”) means “a place where it is shallow or narrow in the middle of the lake” in the local Okanagan language. It is well worth the 75-kilometer drive south of Kelowna on Highway 97. The 38-hectare park is an important archaeological and cultural heritage site making it one of British Columbia’s most popular provincial parks.
The park offers 41 vehicle accessible campsites – seven of which are double sites that accommodate larger RVs – with many situated along the lakeshore. Each campsite includes level gravel pads picnic tables and fire rings. Note that the maximum length of stay is seven days.
The campground includes a year-round boat launch perfect for canoeing or water skiing as well as locations to learn more about how the Osoyoos Indian Band’s Okanagan ancestors used Sẁiẁs as a crossing area and habitation site for thousands of years. The old Hudson’s Bay Fur Brigade Trail also passed through the area.
If Kelowna has been on your places-to-go list but you haven’t quite found your way there yet these gorgeous parks and the fun they offer are good reasons to take that step and head out this summer.