Greater Vernon
Welcome to Vernon, located in the traditional territory of the Syilx People of the Okanagan Nation. This isn’t a fancy town, and we’re not fancy people, but we do know how to have fun, and we’d like to think we’ve got our priorities straight. We spend our time exploring the turquoise lakes, deep forests, and sweeping valleys that stretch for miles in every direction, and we love living in a community of folks who believe in happiness, relaxation, adventure, and one another. We eat really well, laugh a whole lot, and try to remember what’s truly important in life.
Oh, and we’re especially proud of our trail system, which has earned us the title Trails Capital of BC, and connects us to everything that makes Vernon so special. Like nature, adventure, arts, culture, and community. Even our food.
We’re pretty sure there’s nowhere else quite like Vernon, and we can't wait for you to experience it.
Welcome to Vernon. Happy Trails.
By The Numbers
How do I get to Vernon?
Vernon is located just 30-minutes north of the Kelowna International Airport (YLW). Vernon sits along Highway 97 which is 45-minutes north of Kelowna and 45-minutes south of the Highway 1 intersection in Sicamous. Vernon is 5 hours drive from Vancouver, 6.5 hours drive from Calgary and 9 hours from Edmonton. Click for more info on getting here.
What is Vernon best known for?
Greater Vernon is the official Trails Capital of BC with one of British Columbia's most extensive and varied trail networks. Three lakes surround Vernon including Kalamalka Lake, Okanagan Lake and Swan Lake making it a great place for paddling and lake activities. As a mid-size city, Vernon offers a laidback lifestyle with nature easily accessible on its doorstep.
What are the top things to do in Vernon?
Vernon offers year-round activities and experiences for all types of travellers.
Spring comes early with the opportunity to alpine ski, snowboard or cross-country ski in the morning followed by an afternoon round of golf. The hillside trails are covered with blooms and offer early access to hiking and mountain biking trails around Ellison Park, Predator Ridge Resort and Kalamalka Park.
Summer is bustling with fresh fruit and produce at the Vernon Farmers' Market. Visit a U-pick to stock up on cherries, peaches and apricots. Head to one of the many beaches for a picnic or paddle on Okanagan Lake. In the evening find live music in the park or on a patio.
In the fall, enjoy a morning on Kalamalka Lake with its stunning turquoise water, followed by an afternoon visiting Davison Orchards, a family-run farm operating for over 90 years. End the day with dinner downtown at one of the many locally owned restaurants, cafes and pubs.
Celebrate winter at one of the largest winter festivals in Western Canada, Vernon Winter Carnival. Head up to SilverStar Mountain Resort to experience the family-friendly fun and amazing snow conditions for skiing and snowboarding. Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre offers world class cross-country ski trails with over a combine network of over 105 km of daily groomed trails.
When is the best time to visit Vernon?
If you ask the locals, spring and fall are the best seasons to visit. The temperatures are perfect for outdoor activities and the hills are lush and green in the spring or dotted with hues of yellow, red and orange in autumn. There is a quiet, less crowded atmosphere combined with a welcoming community ready to share what makes this place so special. Winter is a wonderful season to experience world-class skiing, snowboarding and nordic skiing with SilverStar Mountain Resort just 25-minutes from downtown Vernon.