10 of the Best Places to Enjoy the Water in the Okanagan

The Okanagan Valley is a unique and wonderful destination, like no other in Canada. With great weather, spectacular mountains and over 50 lakes, it’s no surprise why so many flock to this hot and sunny region. Of course, with all these gorgeous lakes, there are a ton of excellent swimming spots. Here are 10 of the best places to enjoy the water in the Okanagan.
Echo Lake Provincial Park
Exploratory Glory
Surrounded by steep mountainous terrain and shrouded in dense forest lies the underrated paradise of Echo Lake Provincial Park. This must-see lake not only boasts beautiful mountain scenery but will blow visitors minds with its spectacular jade-coloured waters.
This beautiful body of water is located 95 kilometres northeast of Kelowna.
With no shortage of fun water activities like boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing and swimming, this destination also provides access to campsites and cabins available for rent at Echo Lake Resort.
Mabel Lake
Exploratory Glory
Well-known throughout the region as an idyllic vacation getaway, Mabel Lake is a stunning display of beautiful British Columbia wilderness. Surrounded by high alpine peaks, Mabel receives a ton of snow runoff and though it doesn’t have the warmest water in the valley, it more than makes up for it with its crystal-clear water and excellent kayaking opportunities.
Mabel Lake is situated west of the Monashee Mountains, 122 kilometres north of Kelowna.
Visitors to the lake will enjoy access to Mabel Lake Provincial Park where there are 114 campsites available to rent. There are also several free campsites along the lake, including the Cascade Beach Rec Site, which lies adjacent to gorgeous Cascade Falls.
Shuswap River
Exploratory Glory
The Shuswap River has been the lifeblood of the Okanagan Valley for many thousands of years. Originating in the Monashee Mountains at Greenbush Lake, this snaking body of water then flows through Sugar Lake, Mabel Lake, Mara Lake and finally ends up in Shuswap Lake.
Though there are swimming spots all along the shores of the Shuswap, to enjoy the river at its finest one should visit the sections between Ashton Creek and Enderby or near the bridge at Shuswap Falls.
Osoyoos Lake
Exploratory Glory
Osoyoos Lake should be a necessary stopover during a visit to the South Okanagan. This lake owns the title of “Canada’s Warmest Lake” and is located in a hot and dry semi-desert. Beaches on the lake are abundant and kayakers will be able to visit the unique and interesting Osoyoos Dune.
Osoyoos Lake is as far south as you can get in BC and actually crosses over the country’s border, with around 2/3 being situated in Canada and 1/3 in Washington, USA.
Kalamalka Lake
Exploratory Glory
To enjoy the bluest water in the valley, look no further than Cosens Bay on Kalamalka Lake. Referred to as “The Lake of Many Colours,” Kalamalka is a rare type of lake called a marl lake. This means that it changes colours throughout the year depending on the temperature: the warmer the bluer. This spectacular natural phenomenon can be seen perfectly from the Cosens Bay Trail as hikers head down to the beach.
Cosens Bay is situated in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and can only be reached hiking trail or by boating in, as there is no road access.
Sun-Oka Provincial Park
Exploratory Glory
Sun-Oka Provincial Park is perhaps the best swimming spot in all of the valley. With near-placid water and a nice gradual slope, this beach couldn’t get any nicer for taking a dip.
With a convenient location right off the highway in Summerland, Sun-Oka is very family-friendly and provides visitors with a huge park to use as they wish as well as many day-use spots.
Swim Bay
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Swim Bay is essentially an overwater playground and is an excellent spot for families. This awesome park is located along the shores of Okanagan Lake in the splendid little beach town of Peachland.
The park features a nice pebble beach, washrooms, a picnic area, rope swing, diving board and zip line that lands users in the lake. For the safety of beach goers, there is a lifeguard on duty throughout the summer months.
Ellison Provincial Park
Exploratory Glory
A gem of the North Okanagan, Ellison Provincial Park has everything one would need for an incredible vacation, including access to Okanagan Lake. It’s a prime spot for the perfect family getaway with a plethora of hiking trails, three beaches (including a dog beach) and a campground. To top it off, this paradise is only 16 kilometres from downtown Vernon, making it very convenient.
Ellison Provincial Park is incredibly scenic, with its large rocky cliffs and picturesque coves jutting up from the turquoise water. The beaches are also quite unique with sand that is a photogenic reddish pink.
Sugar Lake
Exploratory Glory
Sugar Lake is a fitting name for a place with such boundless beauty. Sugary white sands line this man-made wonder, and two Robinson Crusoe style islands await your portage. Being fed by the Monashee Mountain means that Sugar has some of the cleanest and freshest water in the whole region.
Aside from excellent swimming and water sports activities, Sugar Lake has great fishing and is regularly stocked with Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Kokanee Salmon, Bull Trout, Burbot, Cutthroat Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Brook Trout and Lake Trout.
Crawford Falls
Exploratory Glory
Crawford Falls is located in the hills of the Lower Mission area of Kelowna and is part of Canyon Falls Park. There are two sets of falls within the park, the upper and lower, both are gorgeous. Reaching the falls requires a two-kilometre hike down into a canyon and takes around 20 minutes to reach the first falls and another 10 minutes to reach the second.
Though not a tough hike, the Okanagan is hot mid-summer, so don’t miss the chance to cool off in the natural pools of Bellevue Creek.
More Okanagan-based Adventures:
10 of the Best Hiking Trails near Kelowna, BC
Go Here: Pair Outdoor Adventures with the Best Breweries and Wineries in Kelowna, BC
10 Dog-friendly Parks and Trails Near Kelowna, BC