North Okanagan Communities

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Syilx People of the Okanagan Nation, the five welcoming communities of the North Okanagan Valley encourage travellers to slow down and veer off the beaten path. The fertile valley and surrounding forests, lakes and mountains invite a deeper connection with nature, and ask that in return, guests tread lightly and show respect for this nourishing land. Each North Okanagan community offers year-round activities to enjoy at your pace, and balances adventure with opportunities for cultural immersion. Brush up on history at an engaging museum, admire Canadian creations on art-themed walking tours, and celebrate sport, music or the great outdoors at an annual festival that brings friends and family together. These less-touristy cities and towns will also feed your belly as well as your soul, thanks to restaurants and craft producers whose food and drink comes from nearby farms, orchards and vineyards.

The North Okanagan’s commercial and cultural hub is home to a thriving arts community as well as a growing food scene, thanks to farm-to-table restaurants and craft distilleries, cideries and breweries. Vernon also boasts 300 kilometres of single- and double-track trails that entice runners, hikers, and cyclists keen to go the distance in the Trails Capital of BC.

The village of Lumby is close to crystal-clear lakes, enchanting forests and the rugged peaks of the Monashee Mountains. Find your bliss by launching off a mountain in a hang glider, hiking through stands of old-growth cedars, or searching for wildlife along the Salmon Trail.

Connect with the land in Armstrong, a city that embraces agritourism with farm-fresh food and events that nod to its ranching and agrarian heritage. Visit the weekly Farmers’ Market to see what’s in season, capture the perfect Instagram pic at the Bloom Sunflower Festival, or relax with a craft cider.