Fall Adventures in BC’s Okanagan, Shuswap,
and Boundary Country

This story was originally published in September, 2020.

With numerous lakes for paddling and mountains laced with hiking and cycling trails, it’s easy to access the outdoors in the Okanagan Valley and beyond. Once the summer tourists pack up their beach umbrellas and bicycles to head home, you’ll have those pristine lakeshores and scenic paths all to yourself.

Cycle the New Okanagan Rail Trail

What was once a railway line between Kelowna and Vernon is now the Okanagan Rail Trail, a 50+-km recreation pathway that connects the region’s two largest cities. What makes this accessible, mostly flat trail special is its variety—it passes three beautiful lakes, fruit stands and food stops, plenty of picnic tables, and numerous quiet beaches as it winds its way through the valley.

The multi-use trail is open to on-foot adventurers, but the best way to explore it is on a bicycle. Families love the Wood Lake Loop, a 17-km circuit that diverges from the Okanagan Rail Trail at the Oyama isthmus to circle back along a paved path on the lake’s west side. Pull off for a burger and fries at the OKF Grill in Oyama and then dip your toes in the lake, or stop to refuel with fresh produce at Gatzke Orchards.

Turn your day trip into several days’ exploration with a stay at Oyama Lake Eco Lodge, a 30-minute drive from Oyama. Here, 15 rustic cabins overlook a gorgeous alpine lake dotted with 27 coniferous-covered islands. Go full Canadian and paddle between them on a rental canoe while fishing for trout in the stocked water.

Get off the Beaten Path in Kelowna

Autumn is one of the city’s best seasons for hiking. The days are often clear and sunny, the fall colours are spectacular, and the mild temperatures mean you can hit the nearby trails any time of day. Head into Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park for a quick loop with lake views, or hike to the top of Knox Mountain, close to downtown, for the spectacular vista over the lake and city.

If you’re looking for something more off the beaten path, drive up past Kettle Valley in south Kelowna to the Johns Family Nature Conservancy where nearly five kilometres of well-maintained interpretive trails await, with signs that explain the region’s history, trees, and animals. The routes are fairly easy with minimal elevation gain (great for kids or anyone looking or a more gentle slope), but what they lack in challenge they make up for in sights and scenery—the main Crags Trail parallels a rocky escarpment popular among climbers, and there are multiple spots where you can gaze up the length of Okanagan Lake.

After your hike, unwind in one of Kelowna’s lakeside resorts. At the Delta Grand Okanagan it’s all about location, right downtown and within walking distance of Knox Mountain. Also on the lakeshore, Manteo, at the Eldorado Resort, offers large suites and lakefront villas, and is close to the trendy Pandosy district and popular local beaches.

E-Bike the Kettle Valley Rail Trail

Most recreational cyclists are familiar with Myra Canyon, where a decommissioned rail trail crosses 18 historic train trestles and goes through two tunnels as it arcs around a steep canyon high above Kelowna. But that same pathway—part of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail—continues south toward Penticton, passing by the historic Chute Lake Lodge halfway between Myra Canyon and Naramata.

The lodge features eight cozy cabins, plus comfortable glamping tents and yurts, and makes a great base from which to explore the rest of the KVR. Rent an electric bike from the lodge and zoom along the wide, flat, multi-use trail, stopping to admire the larch trees that turn gold in October, and the pretty views of Okanagan Lake far below.

To capture the last vibes of summer, the nearby village of Naramata has a beach-town feel, with lakefront accommodations to match. The Naramata Inn offers 12 boutique rooms and quite possibly the region’s best farm-to-table restaurant, led by Chef Ned Bell. For a more family-camp feel, check out the Sandy Beach Lodge & Resort, with tennis courts, a heated pool, and adorable cottages with beach access.

Explore Desert Trails in Osoyoos

Osoyoos is located in Canada’s only true desert, so the cooler days of fall are a perfect time to visit. Walk the 1.5-km footpath at the Osoyoos Desert Centre to learn about desert life in a fragile ecosystem where prickly pear cactus and aromatic sagebrush grow in a landscape populated by coyotes, rattlesnakes, and even scorpions. Add a cultural element to your explorations at the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, where hillside trails lead to a reconstructed pit house and sweat lodge that help tell the story of the local Osoyoos Indian Band.

The cultural centre is adjacent to Spirit Ridge Resort, with self-contained condos, suites, and villas that feature full kitchens. If you don’t feel like cooking, make a reservation at the resort’s new Indigenous-inspired restaurant, The Bear, The Fish, The Root and The Berry. You can also walk through picturesque vineyards down to Osoyoos Lake, or pop in to Indigenous-owned and -operated Nk’Mip Cellars to sample award-winning wines.

Start with a 15-minute hike through the pine-scented forest to Cascade Falls, where a torrent of water spills over a rocky drop and churns through a gorge. The trailhead is just three kilometres from the lake, which is popular in the summer for water sports and secluded beaches. It’s quieter in the fall and more serene to paddle on the clear water, or to hike the trails in nearby Gladstone Provincial Park.

Everything is within a reasonable distance from the Christina Lake Motel, which has newly renovated, modern rooms, plus RV hookups and boat parking.

Header image: Kettle Valley Rail Trail | Kari Medig