Local Lakes

People who live in Vernon know how lucky they are to be surrounded by lakes. There are four main lakes in the area: Okanagan Lake, Kalamalka Lake, Swan Lake and Wood Lake.

Okanagan Lake

Lake monsters, incredible depth and beaches galore are the hallmarks of Okanagan Lake. The lake is 135 km (84 mi) long and 5 km (3mi) wide and is said to be 232 m (930 ft.) deep in places.

Okanagan cities and towns can be found along the lake, which stretches from Penticton in the south, past Kelowna, and then up to Vernon in the north. When fishing this lake, you'll be pleased to find several species of fish, including Rainbow Trout and Kokanee Salmon.

There are several beaches and campgrounds on Okanagan Lake in the Vernon area including Ellison Provincial Park, which has a campground, and Paddlewheel Park and Kin Beach, which are day use only. Here is a Google map to Okanagan Lake  from Vernon.

Kalamalka Lake

Spend the day enjoying life at Kalamalka Lake. At different times of the year the colour of the lake will range from teal and cyan to indigo. There are plenty of places to picnic here and several beaches to enjoy. Hiking, biking, fishing, boating, watersports and lazing on the beach are all great ways to enjoy this multi-coloured lake. Kalamalka lake has two provincial parks on its shores: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Kekuli Bay Provincial Park, which also has camping.

Kalamalka Lake has some great beaches including Kal Beach and Pumphouse Beach which are next to each other off Husband Road, and Cosen Bay and Juniper Bay which are located in the heart of Kalamalka Park. Here is a Google map to Kalamalka Lake from Vernon.

Swan Lake

Swan Lake is a shallower and quieter lake for those who love a nature hike. The surrounding wetlands provide some of the best bird watching in BC. It's a breeding, nesting and migration haven for ducks, waterfowl, marsh birds and more. Don't be surprised if you see American White Pelicans and Trumpeter Swans in the spring and fall. Here is a Google map to Swan Lake from Vernon.

Wood Lake

Located immediately south of Kalamalka Lake, back in 1908 a channel was created to join the two lakes. It is the Okanagan's warmest and calmest lake and has two marinas, Turtle Bay and Wood Lake RV. It also has great trout fishing, camping and sandy beaches. Here is a Google map to Swan Lake from Vernon. 

Here is a map that  shows where all our beaches are located. Email Tourism Vernon for more information on our lakes and beaches.