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The best camping near Summerland guide
Where to go
Okanagan Lake Provincial Park
With north and south campgrounds a couple of minutes apart from one another on Highway 97, Okanagan Lake Provincial Park offers panoramic views of the lake surrounded by mountain vistas. Explore the pebbly beaches and ponderosa pine forests, partaking in hiking, canoeing, swimming, and windsurfing. Keep those binoculars ready for spotting western meadowlarks, cedar waxwings, and even the vulnerable Lewis’s woodpecker. The north campground features picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets across three terraces overlooking the lake, while the south campground is more densely packed at lake level and not suitable for RV camping.
Sun-Oka Beach Provincial Park
The large, sandy public beach is the main draw here, including many permanent picnic tables on and near the beach and a playground. The name comes from a shortened version of “Sunny Okanagan.” In the summer, the park operator manages and runs a convenient concession stand, perfect for grabbing an ice-cold treat on a hot day at Okanagan Lake. Trout Creek features an easy out-and-back trail and fishing opportunities. Rainbow trout are the most common catch, but Kokanee salmon, brook trout, and Northern pikeminnow are there. Be sure to get a fishing license first. Gates are locked in the off-season from mid-October to mid-April.
Darke Lake Provincial Park
Drive about 30 minutes north of Summerland to Darke Lake where quiet, primitive campgrounds sit among mature Douglas fir and old-growth cottonwood. While the rustic, undesignated campsites are accessible by vehicle, they are not recommended for large RVs. Visitors must bring their own drinking water, as there is no potable water in the park. Trout fishing is allowed, including ice fishing in the winter, and the park is also open to hunting.
When to go
Summer is understandably the peak tourist season for camping near Summerland. Outdoor activities by Okanagan Lake draw large crowds, so reserving a campsite well in advance is a good idea. Summer also sees several festivals and events in the area, including music festivals. For cooler weather and fewer crowds, the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn deliver colorful scenery in the form of cherry blossoms and fall foliage, respectively. Fall harvest festivals are fun for the whole family, as well. Hipcampers willing to brave cold and snowy weather may enjoy snowshoeing and ice fishing in winter.