BC Okanagan camping

[LBelle]

I’m starting planning a trip to the Canadian Okanagan region for this spring (May) and wondered about recommended campgrounds in the Penticton and Oliver area. My usual books and online apps don’t provide much help - we are looking for a full or partial hookup (which otherwise great sounding Provincal Parks lack) and we value privacy/quiet sites (i.e. too close to Hwy 97), a scenic setting, less rather than more “water slides, swimming beaches, playgrounds...” and a bonus is proximity to biking trails (Kettle Valley Trail, International Bike&Hike Trail etc.) Thanks

[jcl]

In our experience, the Okanagan in general is different at the north end (Vernon), which is quieter, in the middle (Kelowna) which is busier with traffic, and at the south end (Oliver/Osoyoos) which is quieter again. Further south is generally warmer, ie Oliver/Osoyoos. If we are going to the Okanagan mid summer we look further north in the valley. In the shoulder seasons, our favourite town is Oliver, and we spend time from Osoyoos to Penticton. We are avid cyclists (road) and usually ride sections of the former Canadian Ironman road course (the race is no longer in the Okanagan), which starts in Penticton, goes down the back of the lake to Osoyoos, over to Cawston/Keremeos, and back to Penticton. Great road riding. For trails, the Kettle Valley is accessible from Penticton or Kelowna.

Others will have better recommendations on specific campgrounds due to the full hookup goal. I haven't stayed there, so don't know how good it is, but we often ride past Centennial Park in Oliver. They have hookups, and back on to the paved bike path along the canal.

Edit: I looked it up, and it appears there is a plan to build a hotel on the campground property. Not sure what the timing is for that, but the park may now be closed.

[gandttimes]

Hi. May is on the early side to be camping in the northern part of the valley and unfortunately full hookup sites are all quite tight together.
There are a couple on the east side of lake Osoyoos which are fairly decent especially if you are sightseeing on the area.
Further up the valley before you reach Penticton there are a few more just before you get to the city.
You might call the Airstream dealer there ( Midtown) and ask them for suggestions.
Kelowna area doesn't have much except overpriced tight spots for hookup. The best is of course the Provincial park.
Further up in Oyama there are a couple of popular hookup sites.
Just past there is a very nice provincial called Kekuli Bay. It does actually have 4 partial hookup sites near the lake but they are on a parking lot close together.
Good luck and have fun. We lived in the area for many years but left and moved to the Island where the camping opportunities are better and less expensive.


George

[Len n Jeanne]

Despite (or maybe because of) living fairly close to the Okanagan, we RVed there only once, ages ago. We stayed at the Desert Gem in Oliver, which has really nice facilities but was designed for the motor home and monster 5th wheel folks who don't seem to care about the immediate scenery.

You didn't mention it, but if you are wine drinkers, of course this is a really fun area for visiting the Okanagan's many wineries for tastings, and then some offer fine dining, as well. Minus the Bambi, last year we stayed overnight in Osoyoos and had dinner at the restaurant at the Tinhorn Creek winery in Oliver. Good food and service with memorable views, though a bit pricey for the budget-conscious.

Beautiful lakes in this area, also, if you are paddlers.

If you decide to look for a provincial park, I would suggest you avoid (or get revs. for) the Victoria Day Weekend. (aka "the long weekend.") of May 21. Campgrounds will be mobbed. But-- they quiet down a lot after the weekend as schools around here don't let out till later in June, and the weather warms up more.

[LBelle]

Appreciate the responses, the heads-up on Victoria Day is especially good! We are paddlers but haven’t figured out just how to haul our sea kayaks with the Airstream behind, and the bikes seem to keep us busy. I am a bit focused (hung up?) on the Oliver area but will check out Penticton options too and a call to the dealer (Midtown) is in order. (gandtimes) I hear you re “the island”, we are just a hop away in Port Townsend and plan to explore your way too.

[gandttimes]

Let us know when you do. We love the Olympic peninsula and plan to do that again.

[jcl]

I would pick Oliver. If you are looking up towards Penticton, look at Okanagan Falls as well.

There is a small lake in Oliver (very small) that has two RV campgrounds on it. Haven't stayed there (we prefer provincial campgrounds, but with no hookups) but they have reasonable reviews on line. The lake is called Tuc-El-Nuit.

http://www.desertlakerv.com/

http://www.applebeachrv.com/

We often stay at a winery just south of Oliver, and it is a nice morning ride up to Penticton, along Black Sage bench and then up the back of Skaha Lake. It is about 100 km round trip, but is an out and back so easy to turn around at any point.

[Len n Jeanne]

This is Slocan Lake, New Denver BC, a bit east of the Okanagan, and how we travel with our boat and 19'FC.