Provincial Park Camping in Kelowna, BC
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Ready to go camping in Kelowna and experience what all the hype is about? Well, you’re in luck because there are 15 provincial park campgrounds within 1.5 hours of Kelowna that you’ll love! These campgrounds are well-maintained, beautiful, and show off the best of the Okanagan.
In this provincial park camping guide, you’ll discover campgrounds in and around Kelowna, including Peachland, Lake Country, and Oyama (with a few outliers).
PS: Want to be notified when a campsite is available? Join Campnab to know when there’s availability at your favourite campgrounds.
Disclosure: I may earn a commission on shoppable links in this article.
Camping at Kelowna’s Provincial Parks
Below, you’ll find provincial parks within 1.5 hours of Kelowna where you can camp. Provincial parks that don’t have camping, such as Myra-Bellevue and Kalamalka Provincial Parks, aren’t included.
Provincial parks in the Okanagan are fairly private, well-maintained, and close to cool things to do. The size, privacy, and “nature” of each campground differs quite a lot, so it’s important to research each to know what style of camping is offered at each park.
Most (but not all) of the following provincial parks can be booked at BCParks.ca. Some parks have limited or 100% FCFS (first come first served) or RV/trailer warnings.
Tips for Camping at Kelowna’s Provincial Parks
Kelowna’s provincial park campgrounds are popular — very popular. It can be difficult to make reservations at some of these provincial parks. Bookings open in the spring (exact dates vary) and sell out quickly. As annoying as it is to queue on opening day, it is the best way to get the campsites you want.
Reservations can be made up to 4 months in advance as of 2023. Reservations used to be on a 2-month rolling window (I liked this), but the change has made reservations even more difficult to get.
I highly recommend camping reservations for provincial parks — especially in the summer or long weekends. The Okanagan books up fast, so try to book as far in advance as you can. Book online at BCParks.ca up to four months in advance.
If you’re unable to get a campsite, don’t panic. You can:
- Use Campnab. This service alerts you when reservations are available at sold-out campgrounds.
- Keep checking back. Sometimes cancelations occur and you can snag the site.
- Be flexible with dates. The more flexibility you have, the easier it’ll be to get a campsite. Weekdays are much easier to reserve.
- Check the night before or day of. If there are open sites, you may be able to show up and get it. You can’t reserve day-of, but it will alert you to possible sites.
- Use first-come first served sites. Most provincial parks around Kelowna have a few FCFS sites. If you can’t get in the night you arrive, you may be able to stay in overflow or find a pull-out for the night, then try again the next day.
Bear Creek Provincial Park, Kelowna
The Bear Creek Provincial Park campground is only 10km (~15mins) from downtown Kelowna. Bear Creek is the closest provincial park campground to Kelowna and is very popular.
Bear Creek is a large campground with 143 campsites. The campsites are large and well spaced with varying levels of privacy, tree cover, and shade. Throughout the park, there are plenty of large, mature trees and underbrush.
The campground and day-use area are on the shores on Okanagan Lake. You can easily enjoy the beach, swimming, kayaking, and paddling boarding. There’s even a rental shop on-site during the summer. Across the road, there’s a beautiful waterfall and hiking trails.
Bear Creek Campground Details
| Price | $35 – $45/night + $6 reservation fee/night |
| Reservations | • 100% reservable after mid-May • FCFS before mid-May |
| Best For | Tents, Campervans, Trailers + RVs |
| Site Details | • Pull-through, back-in, gravel + paved pads • Partial hookups (water + 30/50 amp electrical) • Campfire rings + picnic tables |
| Park Details | • 143 campsites + overflow • Bathrooms + showers • Day-use area with beach + rentals • Drinkable water • Sani-dump |
| Pets | Allowed, leashed (not on beach or in buildings) |
| Contact | (250) 766-7972 info@campokanagan.com |
| Address | Westside Road, Kelowna BC |
| Nearby Hikes | Bear Creek waterfall (trail map or blog post) Canyon Rim trail (trail map or blog post) Christie Falls (trail map or blog post) |
Darke Lake Provincial Park, Summerland
Located in the hills behind Summerland, Darke Lake Provincial Park is rustic and off-the-beaten-path. It’s about an hour from Kelowna and down 16km of bumpy forest service roads; it’s not recommended for big RVs or trailers.
Darke Lake Provincial Park is a semi-maintained park with five rustic, undesignated campsites. The campsites are first-come, first served, open year-round, and completely unserviced. There’s no potable water, but there are pit toilets and campfire rings.
You can enjoy trout and ice fishing, kayaking or paddle boarding, hunting, horseback riding, biking, skating, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing — if you bring the gear.
Darke Lake Park Details
| Price | Unknown, likely free |
| Reservations | Not reservable, 100% FCFS |
| Best For | Tents + Backpacking |
| Site Details | • Unmaintained • Campfire rings • Surrounded by mature Douglas fir and old growth cottonwood |
| Park Details | • ~5 undesignated campsites • One pit toilet • No drinkable water • User maintained |
| Pets | Allowed, leashed |
| Address | Darke Lake Provincial Park, Peachland |
| Nearby Hikes | Deep Creek Flume and Hill Loop (trail map) Garnet Lake Trail (trail map) Fur Brigade Trail (trail map) |
Eneas Lakes Provincial Park, Peachland
Eneas Lakes Provincial Park is located in the hills behind Peachland. It’s a beautiful area, but very remote and difficult to reach. Access to the park is via a rough, deactivated, overgrown, and unmaintained gravel service road. Only 4x4s should attempt this route; a chainsaw is recommended.
There are several undeveloped and walk-in campsites that have no facilities or amenities at Eneas Lakes. There are also two small cabins on the north end of Tush Lake.
All camping areas are first-come, first served and open-round. Very few people visit, so those that do have little trouble getting a campsite.
Eneas Lakes Camp Details
Only visit Eneas Lakes Provincial Park if you’re well versed in backcountry travel and have the correct gear.
| Price | Unknown, likely free |
| Reservations | Not reservable, 100% FCFS |
| Best For | Tents + Backpacking |
| Site Details | • Unmaintained + undesignated • Two cabins |
| Park Details | • Four level, undeveloped campgrounds • No facilities or amenities • Difficult to access |
| Pets | Allowed, leashed |
| Address | Eneas Lakes Provincial Park |
Ellison Provincial Park, Vernon
The picturesque Ellison Provincial Park is located on the northeastern shores of Okanagan Lake and is one hour from Kelowna. The park is popular for camping, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, biking, climbing, and even diving.
Ellison Provincial Park campground is nestled above Okanagan Lake in a sparse forest. There’s lots of space between sites and plenty of undergrowth. The mature Douglas firs and Ponderosa pine provide shade.
Ellison Provincial Park is busy during the summer and long weekends. Reservations are highly recommended, but there are 10 FCFS sites available.
Ellison Campground Details
| Price | $32/night + $6 reservation fee/night |
| Reservations | • 61 reservable • 10 FCFS |
| Best For | Tents, Trailers, RVs |
| Site Details | • Back-in, gravel sites • No hookups • Campfire rings + picnic tables • Private and semi-shaded |
| Park Details | • 71 campsites • Bathrooms + showers • Day-use area with two beaches + dog beach • Drinkable water • No sani-dump |
| Pets | Allowed, leashed (not on beach or in buildings) |
| Contact | (250) 766-7972 info@campokanagan.com |
| Address | Ellison Park Rd, Vernon, BC |
| Nearby Hikes | Ellison Park Trails (trail map) |
Fintry Provincial Park, Kelowna
Sitting on the northwestern shores of Okanagan Lake, Fintry Provincial Park is 40 minutes from Kelowna and is a great place to camp. It’s right on the lake and has over 2 km of waterfront. There are also historic sites and waterfalls to explore in the park.
The campsites at Fintry Provincial Park vary a lot. Loop A has wonderful views of the lake, plenty of trees and shade, but little underbrush between sites. Loops B, C, and D have fewer trees (some sites have no shade), but there’s more privacy thanks to the underbrush.
Since it’s so close to Kelowna, people often take day hike Fintry Falls, the on-site waterfall.
Fintry Campground Details
| Price | $32/night + $6 reservation fee/night |
| Reservations | • 104 reservable • 52 FCFS |
| Best For | Tents, Campervans, Trailers + RVs |
| Site Details | • Back-in, gravel sites • No hookups • Campfire rings + picnic tables • Varying privacy + shade |
| Park Details | • 158 campsites • Bathrooms + showers • Drinkable water • Two sani-dump • Small beaches + historical sites |
| Pets | Allowed, leashed (not on beach or in buildings) |
| Contact | (250) 766-7972 info@campokanagan.com |
| Address | Fintry Delta Rd, Vernon, BC |
| Nearby Hikes | Fintry Falls (trail map) Bear Creek hikes (trail map) |
Inkaneep Provincial Park, Oliver
Inkaneep Provincial Park is a small campground just outside of Oliver near the International Hike & Bike Trail. It’s 1 hour, 20 minutes from Kelowna.
All seven of Inkaneep Provincial Park’s campsites are first-come first served with few amenities. The sites are small and aren’t recommended for RVs or trailers. Inkaneep Provincial Park is near Okanagan River and short trails connect the campground with the river.
Inkaneep Campground Details
| Price | $18/night |
| Reservations | 100% FCFS |
| Best For | Tents + Car Camping |
| Site Details | • Small sites • Not suitable for RVs or trailers • Campfire rings + picnic tables • Rose bushes provide privacy |
| Park Details | • 7 campsites • Bathrooms + no showers • Drinkable water, but sometimes boil water advisory • No sani-dump |
| Pets | Allowed, leashed (not on beach or in buildings) |
| Contact | (250) 584-9025 info@explorebcparks.ca |
| Address | 109 Campsite Rd, Oliver, BC |
Kekuli Bay Provincial Park, Vernon
Kekuli Bay Provincial Park is 40 minutes from Kelowna and 15 minutes from Vernon. The terraced campground sits on the hills overlooking Kalamalka Lake and offers amazing views of the striking turquoise lake.
The campground is near Highway 97, but surprisingly traffic noise isn’t a huge issue. Most sites are quite private thanks to nearby trees, but these trees provide varying levels of shade. Campsites can get hot in the summer, but luckily the lake and a small beach aren’t far!
You can enjoying boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, and a small beach at Kekuli Bay. This is a great campground if you want to enjoy at Kal Lake has to offer!
Kekuli Bay Campground Details
| Price | $32 – $40/night + $6 reservation fee/night |
| Reservations | • 73 reservable • FCFS varies, check BCParks.ca |
| Best For | Tents, Campervans, Trailers, RVs |
| Site Details | • Back-in, gravel sites • No hookups (except for four 15/30 amp sites in the parking lot) • Campfire rings + picnic tables • Varying privacy + shade |
| Park Details | • 73 campsites, 8 walk-in + overflow • Bathrooms + showers • Drinkable water • No sani-dump • Boat launch, playground + beach |
| Pets | Allowed, leashed (not on beach or in buildings) |
| Contact | (250) 766-7972 info@campokanagan.com |
| Address | 328 Okanagan Hwy, Vernon, BC |
Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park, Kelowna
Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park is a beautiful campground located 1 hour 15 minutes from Kelowna, just off the Coquihalla Connector. High in the mountains, it features a stunning turquoise clear lake that’s popular for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, and fishing.
The road is entirely paved and easy to access, which makes this provincial park extremely busy with day users. Campsites are very spread out, but vary in shade and privacy; some campsites are right on the lake!
Kentucky Alleyne Campground Details
| Price | $18/night + $6 reservation fee/night |
| Reservations | • 25 reservable • 33 FCFS |
| Best For | Tents, Campervans, Trailers, short RVs |
| Site Details | • Back-in, gravel sites (8 pull-through) • No hookups • Campfire rings + picnic tables • Varying privacy + shade |
| Park Details | • 58 campsites • Bathrooms + no showers • Drinkable water • No sani-dump |
| Pets | Allowed, leashed (not on beach or in buildings) |
| Contact | (250) 766-7972 info@campokanagan.com |
| Address | Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park |
Mabel Lake Provincial Park, Lumby
Not to be confused with Mabel Lake Resort, Mabel Lake Provincial Park is accessed via Lumby and is 1 hour 45 minutes from downtown Kelowna. It consists of three campground loops and is level with the lake.
Campsites are large, very private, and shaded. There’s no cell service, which makes Mabel Lake a great campground for connecting with nature. You can enjoy hiking, boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, and swimming.
Mabel Lake Campground Details
| Price | $23/night + $6 reservation fee/night |
| Reservations | 100% reservable |
| Best For | Tents, Campervans, Trailers + RVs |
| Site Details | • Back-in, gravel sites (one pull-through) • No hookups • Campfire rings + picnic tables • Lots of privacy |
| Park Details | • 114 campsites • Bathrooms + no showers • Drinkable water • Sani-dump, $5 fee • Day-use, playground, boat launch + beach • Bring cash for FCFS |
| Pets | Allowed, leashed (not on beach or in buildings) |
| Contact | (250) 766-7972 info@campokanagan.com |
| Address | 3638 Lumby-Mabel Lake Rd, Lumby, BC |
| Nearby Hike | Cascade Falls (trail map) |
Okanagan Lake North Provincial Park, Summerland
Okanagan Lake Provincial Park is divided into two campgrounds: the North and South. Both are just off Highway 97 between Kelowna and Summerland.
Okanagan Lake North Provincial Park is the largest and most scenic of the two campgrounds. The terraced campground has large, private, and shaded sites. Some even have a view of the lake through the trees!
Please be aware that the walk from the campgrounds to the lake is fairly steep. You can enjoy hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding and swimming here.
Okanagan Lake North Campground Details
| Price | $35/night + $6 reservation fee/night |
| Reservations | • 100% reservable |
| Best For | Tents, Campervans, Trailers + RVs |
| Site Details | • Back-in, gravel sites • No hookups • Campfire rings + picnic tables • Plenty of privacy + shade • Terraced sites overlooking Okanagan Lake |
| Park Details | • 80 campsites • Bathrooms + showers • Drinkable water • No sani-dump • Day-use + beach |
| Pets | Allowed, leashed (not on beach or in buildings) |
| Contact | (250) 766-7972 info@campokanagan.com |
| Address | Okanagan Lake Provincial Park, Peachland, BC |
Okanagan Lake South Provincial Park
Located just down the road from the North campground, the Okanagan Lake South Provincial Park campground is very different from its counterpart. This campground is 30 minutes from Kelowna.
The Okanagan Lake South Provincial Park campground is at lake level and very flat. Sites are small, tight, and have next-to-no privacy — there are a few exceptions, but not many. Generally, sites farther away from the lake are nicer. Thankfully, there are lots of trees for shade.
Okanagan Lake South Campground Details
| Price | $13* – 35/night + $6 reservation fee/night *Winter camping |
| Reservations | • 94 reservable • 2 FCFS |
| Best For | Tents, Campervans, Trailers + RVs |
| Site Details | • Back-in, gravel sites • No hookups • Campfire rings + picnic tables • Little privacy |
| Park Details | • 96 campsites (8 walk-in) • Bathrooms + showers • Drinkable water • No sani-dump • Day-use, playground, ampitheatre + beach |
| Pets | Allowed, leashed (not on beach or in buildings) |
| Contact | (250) 766-7972 info@campokanagan.com |
| Address | BC-97, Summerland, BC |
Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park, Kelowna
Camping at Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park is mainly wilderness and marine camping which require you to either backpack or boat in. However, you can also camp at the South parking lot where there’s room for two tents.
Okanagan Mountain is located on the eastern side of Kelowna. It’s a huge provincial park that offers amazing hiking and backcountry camping. Views of Okanagan Lake are spectacular!
In 2003, a huge wildfire burned much of the mountain which has produced many hazards. For the most part, hazards along the main trails have been reduced and it’s best to keep to the main trails to avoid danger.
Okanagan Mountain Backcountry Camping
| Price | $13/night |
| Best For | Tents, Backpacking + Marine Camping |
| Baker Lake | • Pit toilets + fire rings |
| Divide Lake | • Pit toilets + fire rings • Old cabin, user maintained |
| Marine Campsites | Buchan Bay, Commando Bay, Goode’s Creek, Van Hyce Beach, Reluctant Dragon Cove, Halfway Bay, + Halfway Point • Lakeside camping • Campfire rings • Uninhabited boats aren’t allowed to moor |
| South “Campground” | • Free • Parking lot • Outhouse, picnic tables + campfire rings |
| Park Details | • Undesignated # of campsites • Wilderness + marine camping |
| Pets | Allowed, leashed (not on beach or in buildings) |
| Contact | (250) 766-7972 info@campokanagan.com |
| Nearby Activities | Johns Family Conservancy (trail map or blog post) Bertram Creek Regional Park (trail map or blog post) Rattlesnake Island (trail details) |
sx̌ʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ Provincial Park, Okanagan Falls
sx̌ʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ Provincial Park is located in Okanagan Falls, just off Highway 97 and 1 hour from Kelowna. It’s a small campground nestled on the shores of a small, but quick canal.
The campsites are large with plenty of large, mature trees and space, but little privacy. Wildlife are often spotted and a small hiking trail runs alongside the canal with an interpretive sign about the the fishery, both past and present.
sx̌ʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ Campground Details
| Price | $25/night + $6 reservation fee/night |
| Reservations | 100% reservable |
| Best For | Tents, Campervans, Trailers + RVs |
| Site Details | • Back-in, gravel sites • No hookups • Campfire rings + picnic tables • Limited privacy |
| Park Details | • 31 campsites • Bathrooms + no showers • Drinkable water • No sani-dump (find nearby sani-dumps) |
| Pets | Allowed, leashed (not on beach or in buildings) |
| Contact | oibparks2@oib.ca (250) 497-5423 |
| Address | Green Lake Rd, Okanagan Falls, BC |
Trepanier Provincial Park, West Kelowna
Trepanier Provincial Park is a semi-remote park located along Highway 97C just outside of West Kelowna. The park protects Trepanier Creek and offers hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and hunting. Roads in are rough shape and require a high-clearance vehicle.
There are two user-maintained campsites: one at the south end of Lacoma Lake and aother at the ex-rec site at Cameron Lake. Wilderness camping is also allowed.
Trepanier Camping Details
| Price | Free |
| Reservations | 100% FCFS |
| Best For | Tents + Backcountry |
| Site Details | • User-maintained |
| Park Details | • 2 designated campsites • Wilderness camping allowed |
| Pets | Allowed |
Vaseux Lake Provincial Park, Okanagan Falls
Vaseux Lake Provincial Park has a small, 100% first-come first served campground that’s 1 hour from Kelowna. It’s wedged between Highway 97 and the lake; in fact, most of the campsites are right on Vaseux Lake! Highway noise can be an issue.
Most of the campsites are fairly large and private, but some are separated only by grassy areas. Vaseux Lake is a beautiful area for kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, canoeing, swimming, and enjoying wildlife.
Vaseux Lake Campground Details
| Price | $11* – 18/night *Winter camping |
| Reservations | 100% FCFS |
| Best For | Tents, Campervans, Small Trailers + Small RVs |
| Site Details | • Back-in, gravel sites • No hookups • Campfire rings + picnic tables • Limited privacy |
| Park Details | • 12 campsites • Cash only • Bathrooms + no showers • Drinkable water • No sani-dump |
| Pets | Allowed, leashed (not on beach or in buildings) |
| Contact | info@explorebcparks.ca (250) 584-9025 |
| Address | 3227 Okanagan Hwy, Okanagan Falls, BC |
| Nearby Activities | Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory |
Want to find more places to camp near Kelowna? Use Backroad Mapbooks! I use these guides all the time to find new things to do and places to camp.
FAQs
To book a campsite at a BC provincial park, go to camping.BCparks.ca. All camping reservations must be made through this system; you can no longer phone for reservations. Reservations open in the spring and can be booked 4 months in advance.
30 amp service is available at sites 123 to 129, 131, 133, 136, 140, 142, and 143. 50-amp and water service are available at sites 130, 132, 134, 135, 137, 139, and 141.
Camping fees vary depending on each provincial park and the season. Fees in the Okanagan range from ~$18 to $45 per night plus a $6/night reservation fee.
As early as possible. Front-country BC provincial parks are able to be booked 4 months in advance.
In general, you can stay at each Okanagan provincial parks for up to 14 days per calendar year. Some parks have differing policies, please refer to BC Parks for full details.