There’s nothing quite like waking up steps away from the beach, hearing the sounds of birds chirping, and seeing the sunshine rise over the mountains. The Okanagan beckons to camping enthusiasts. The hundreds of kilometres of shoreline mean lakeside camping is easy to access – from the stunning campgrounds on Okanagan Lake to the peaceful sites at Haynes Point, there’s a campground to suit every need. We’ve outlined our favourite lakeside campgrounds in the Okanagan that are sure to impress!
Okanagan Lake Provincial Park
Okanagan Lake Provincial Park is located between Peachland and Summerland, just off Highway 97. This gorgeous provincial park is ideal for swimming, kayaking and other water sports. Both tents and RVs are welcome to the two scenic campgrounds here, connected by a 1km trail that runs along the lake: the North Park Campground and the South Park Campground.
Both campgrounds are ideal for families and large groups to spend a few days. The North Park is a 3-tiered campground with spacious and private sites, whereas the South Park is directly at the lake with smaller and less private sites. You’ll find all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay, plenty of nature to explore, and surrounding scenery that never fails to impress.
Bear Creek Provincial Park
Nestled on Westside Road just 10 minutes from downtown Kelowna, Bear Creek Provincial Park offers a family-friendly getaway with a playground, sandy beaches, and 143 vehicle-accessible campsites. The spacious campsites feature gravel surfaces, fire pits, picnic tables, and amenities like potable water taps and flush toilets. You can explore over 5 kilometres of hiking and biking trails, including the stunning Bear Creek Canyon Rim Trail and a waterfall. The campground also includes a concession, pet-friendly policies, and operates from late March to October.
sẃiẃs (Haynes Point) Provincial Park
Nestled at the base of a small peninsula on the pristine shores of Osoyoos Lake, sẃiẃs Park offers a tranquil lakeside camping experience. Managed and operated by the Osoyoos Indian Band, this campground provides all the essential amenities, including spacious campsites, fire pits, picnic tables, and modern conveniences like potable water taps and flush toilets. Choose from 41 spacious, amenity-rich, and private campsites.
As you enjoy the natural beauty of this serene campground, it’s important to recognize that sẃiẃs Park resides within the traditional territory of the Osoyoos Indian Band, where their Okanagan ancestors have stewarded the lands and waters for generations, making it a place rich in cultural significance and natural wonder.
Ellison Provincial Park
Nestled along the northeastern shore of Okanagan Lake, Ellison Provincial Park encompasses 220 hectares of picturesque forested benchlands overlooking a rocky shoreline and beautiful Okanagan waters. This popular North Okanagan campground offers a plethora of activities for all campers.
Enjoy the many hiking trails that weave through the steep forest, relax at one of the two secluded beaches, and let the kids run free on the well-maintained playground. With 61 well-appointed campsites, amenities, and access to fun, Ellison Provincial Park beckons outdoor enthusiasts to immerse themselves in this lakeside oasis.
Reservations
As you’ve probably noticed, these are all provincial parks, and each campground can be reserved through the BC Parks Reservation System. Enjoy!