Posted by on 23 Jan 2024

BC’s Okanagan makes for a perfect summer getaway from Vancouver, and you can get there in a four to six hours depending on your chosen route. The slower and arguably more scenic option is along Highway 3, known as the Crowsnest Highway. This meandering road passes through thickly forested parkland, and there are places along the way to stock up on freshly picked fruit, enjoy wine tasting, take a dip in one of the province’s warmest lakes, experience Canada’s only desert, learn at an Indigenous interpretive centre, and catch a ride on the Kettle Valley Steam Railway in Summerland. You may never make it to Kelowna.

Here are some recommended stops along Highway 3 between Vancouver and Kelowna.

MANNING PROVINCIAL PARK

Just after you leave Highway 1 from Vancouver and exit onto Highway 3, you encounter stunning E.C. Manning Provincial Park, a four-season destination offering exceptional hiking opportunities and lakeside fun in the summer, and downhill skiing and an extensive network of Nordic trails in the winter. Stop off for a meal at the park’s lodge, or opt for a picnic with a view. Enjoy a short walk to stretch your legs, or hike into the alpine to see gorgeous wildflower meadows in bloom. Spend a comfortable night in a cabin, or set up camp in one of the park’s many campgrounds. Regardless of your interests and schedule, a stop at Manning is a must.

KEREMEOS

Keremeos is known as the “fruit stand capital of Canada” for a reason. Here, family-run stands line the highway, offering the perfect incentive to get out of your car and explore. Grab a basket, tour the open-air markets, and load up on delicious, freshly picked Okanagan fruit to sustain you on your journey. Chat with local growers, who use organic growing methods. Locally made preserves, jams, and honey are a must, and lovers of Indian food can find some amazing curries and samosas. Need a beverage to accompany your purchases? Keremeos has you covered with several nearby wineries.

OSOYOOS

The resort town of Osoyoos is situated on the shores of one of the warmest lakes in BC. Osoyoos Lake is the perfect spot for all types of water activities, and a dip in the lake is an excellent way to cool off in the summer heat. The community is located in Canada’s only desert, and it gets hot! Learn more about this fragile ecosystem at the Osoyoos Desert Centre, with it’s 1.5-km (1-mi) wooden boardwalk and hands-on interpretive centre, and at the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, which tells the story of the desert, as well as the proud history of the Okanagan Nation. Nk’Mip is also home to an award-winning winery, one of several around Osoyoos.

SKAHA LAKE

Beautiful Skaha Lake runs south to north from the small town of Okanagan Falls to the city of Penticton. No visit to Okanagan Falls is complete without a visit to local favourite Tickleberry’s, home to a delicious assortment of ice cream and other well-known treats. From there, as you drive along the shores of scenic Skaha, be sure to sample local wines from the gorgeous, sun-drenched vineyards overlooking the lake.

PENTICTON

Located about an hour south of Kelowna, Penticton is a popular summer destination nestled between two lakes—Okanagan and Skaha—which means tons of beachfront fun. Build a sandcastle, relax in the sun with with a favourite book, or head for the water. The lakes are ideal for swimming, boating, paddleboarding, and even windsurfing or kiteboarding. You are in close proximity to excellent hiking and cycling trails, championship golf courses, challenging rock climbing, and wineries galore. Penticton restaurants pour primarily local offerings, and the renowned Naramata Bench is just a short drive along the east side of Okanagan Lake.

Credits to: Destination British Columbia