North Okanagan: Nature, Trails and Culture

In North Okanagan, you can shape your stay around nature, outdoor activities or culture. Options range from fishing and backcountry camping to summit trails, mountain biking routes and a museum in Armstrong. If you’re looking for hotels in North Okanagan, the excursion themes can be a good starting point for sorting out your own travel interests.

Fishing, Hiking and Backcountry Camping

Denison-Bonneau Park offers fishing at Denison Lake and Bonneau Lake. Fishing regulations apply, so be sure to factor them into your plans. The park also offers opportunities for day hikes and backcountry camping; check the latest advisories before your trip. You can choose between a fishing-focused outing, a day hike and an overnight stay where you’re self-sufficient.

The landscape of Denison-Bonneau Park includes pristine subalpine lakes and remnants of old-growth forests in the Okanagan Highlands. Wildlife is also part of the park’s character: it is an important winter habitat for mule deer and provides habitat for elk, cougars, bobcats, lynx, martens and grizzly bears. The combination of waterways, forest and habitats gives this area a different focus from the more summit-trail-oriented outing to Enderby Cliffs.

Summit Trails and a Range of Trail Experiences

Tplaqín / Enderby Cliffs Park is 5 kilometres northeast of Enderby. The trail begins at a parking lot accessible via Mabel Lake Road and Brash Allen Road. The well-built and maintained single-track leads to the summit and offers sweeping views across the valley. The park is also characterized by prominent Tertiary-period rock cliffs and scattered stands of old-growth Douglas fir and larch. It’s a good idea to check the latest trail advisories before setting out.

The BX Creek Trail follows BX Creek from the mountains to the valley floor. Its section at BX Falls is suitable for families and is also a good option for trail running. From the Tillicum parking lot, there is a 6-kilometre out-and-back route. This gives you more options for an outing on foot beyond the route to Enderby Cliffs; the length of the BX Falls route also provides a specific reference point for planning your hike.

For mountain biking, Silver Star offers lift-accessed downhill riding in summer, enduro rides such as Beowulf, technical single-track trails, and fast, flowing cross-country routes. Each type of trail offers a different kind of riding. Conditions and operations vary by season, so plan according to the latest seasonal information.

Lakes and Culture in North Okanagan

Kalamalka Lake is a marl lake. Calcium carbonate crystals create its distinctive blue and green colours. If you’re interested in how the landscape was formed, the lake offers a different perspective from the trails: here, the focus is on its unique composition. There is also an interpretive and educational site at kilometre 4 of the Okanagan Rail Trail, beside Kalamalka Lake.

In Armstrong, the Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum and Art Gallery combines a historic downtown location with a focus on cultural history. A permanent exhibition includes Indigenous artefacts, stories and information. The museum complements the nature and trail themes with an opportunity to explore history and culture; check opening hours directly with the museum before your visit.

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For the main travel overview: British Columbia.