Summerland is a four-season playground located in the southern Okanagan Valley of BC. Whether you’re a walker, runner, hiker or cyclist, Summerland has trails and pathways for all levels – novice to competitor.
Giant’s Head Mountain Park, an extinct volcano core just minutes from downtown, is a must-visit during your stay. Walk, bike or ride your horse on the Conkle Mountain Park trails network, or challenge the Test of Humanity course on Cartwright Mountain.
If enjoying Okanagan Lake is part of your vacation plan, you can choose from three municipal waterfront parks. Peach Orchard Beach has an off-leash dog beach for pups to cool off while the kids enjoy the spray park. Rotary and Powell Beaches have stretches of sandy foreshore – perfect for sunbathing. Both Peach Orchard and Powell Beaches have boat launches with extra parking for your truck and trailer. Many visitors also spend time at BC Parks’ Sunoka Beach, located on the south side of Summerland’s Trout Creek neighbourhood.
If you have skaters in your family, check out the Summerland Skatepark, on the northeast corner of the Summerland Secondary School playing field.
Wine lovers, foodies, shoppers, artists and all sport enthusiasts: there’s plenty for you to enjoy during your stay.
Summerland also hosts many events and festivals through the year. Music festivals, Ryga Arts Festival, community markets, Fall Fair, a variety of sporting events, all-breed dog show, Kettle Valley Steam Railway, Meadowlark Nature Festival events, Ogopogo Bathtub Race, car show… multiple reasons to return again and again!
There’s also an arena, curling and pool facilities, an Arts Centre, museum and library, sports fields, racquet courts and golf facilities.
Facts
• Beautiful orchards & vineyards, in a profusion of colour, frame Summerland against the backdrop of dramatic volcanic mountains & the famed Okanagan Lake. The lake is a fjord lake carved out by repeated glaciations stretching from Vernon in the north to Penticton in the south
• Summerland’s history includes the Okanagan people who have occupied the land for 1000’s of years, to settlers, the fur trade, the beginning of a massive agriculture industry to steam trains being robbed by armed bandits on horseback & Olympic champions www.kettlevalleyrail.org
• Summerland (did we mention the name says it all?) is a semi arid desert environment with just enough rain to make things grow. Summerland folk own umbrellas & gumboots only for trips to the coast. You can plan a golf game or outing & never have to worry about checking the forecast
• Many claim a four season playground while Summerland delivers. Ski Apex Mountain Resort in the morning & play golf a round of golf in the afternoon. A hike up Giant’s Head Mountain followed by a dip in the lake & wine tasting can make a great day. The opportunities to bike & hike in Summerland are unparalleled. The outdoors is on full display in Summerland with no end of activities & fun www.bottleneckdrive.com
• Summerland has a vibrant & outstanding cultural scene. Music, arts & culture & live performances abound in Summerland. Great shopping is abundant with niche stores & specialty shops complimenting national brands.
In Summerland, the summers are short, warm & partly cloudy; the winters are freezing & mostly cloudy; & it is dry year round.
Destination BC is developing a new campaign to promote hyper-local travel where residents are “tourists-in-their own hometown,” while practising the COVID-19 safety protocols as recommended by the B.C. Provincial Health Officer. Many B.C. parks are now open, and national parks were to open as of June 1.
(Check this website for current details on travel.)
Getting Here
Driving: At a distance of 399.3km (154 mi), travel time from Vancouver to Summerland is four hours via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 E, BC-5 N & BC-97C.