While the Okanagan is a luxurious summertime paradise complete with all the incredible business and brands we know and love, sometimes you want a little more rustic, little more rural, environs so that you can reconnect with the great outdoors. When you have the type of natural wonders we do, it’s a no brainer to pitch a tent and sleep beneath the stars!

As for campsites, our valley is full of incredible options from fully backcountry parks to private, lakefront resorts with all the amenities. You can go full glamp mode and stay in an outfitted cabin, or trek with your supplies like a true mountaineer across the many mountains. The important part is that you’re unplugged from the noise of the world and settling in for some s’mores and a fireside glass of wine (or is that just the way we camp?).

We’ve compiled a list of our top picks from north to south—but make no mistake! This is only a starting point. It’s impossible to list all the gorgeous campgrounds in one article, especially with multiple lakes, parks, cities, and areas spread out across the Okanagan Valley, each complete with their own unique charm. You’ll just have to get out and discover your own favourite!

Vernon: Kekuli Bay

There’s nothing quite as breathtaking as Kalamalka Lake and its hundreds of different colours—and that’s why we’re partial to camping at Kekuli Bay! Just 11km south of Vernon and easily accessible off Highway 97, this newly developed campground includes seventy-three sites and four doublewide options. It’s the perfect little spot for some lakefront R&R, especially if you pack your own paddle boards!

Kelowna: Fintry Park

About a half hour drive south of Vernon or a twenty minute stretch out of Kelowna, Fintry Park is a little tucked away campsite on the northwest side of Okanagan Lake with 190 vehicle-accessible spots. With over 2km of waterfront and surrounding ridges and deep slopes, this campsite is perfect for swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing. You can even arrive by boat from the heart of Kelowna for a more aquatic adventure style camping trip. 

Peachland/Summerland: Goode Creek Campsite

For the more adventurous looking at backcountry sites, Goode Creek is a boat-in spot within the Okanagan Mountain Park. For those without the means to travel by water, you can access it via a hike from Chute Lake Road above Naramata. This site sits across the lake equidistant from Peachland or Summerland, but don’t expect endless amenities. While some spots have campfire rings, this is true outdoor living, so remember to pack it in and pack it out! 

Penticton: The Lost Moose 

Just a short drive up the mountain from Penticton is a quaint little private campsite with all the luxurious amenities! For those who need a bit more glamping they have special units and even cabins available that come with a private fire pit and hot tub. Most importantly, the entire property spans sixty-three acres that backs onto crown land, so there are endless trails to hike, bike, and quad! It’s the perfect little mountain oasis about twenty minutes from town. 

Oliver: Gallagher Lake

Nestled in the South Okanagan on a spring-fed lake, Gallagher Lake Resort is almost its own little community. Located just before Oliver, this camping area includes a private sandy beach and a variety of partial to fully serviced sites. You can spend your days leisurely exploring the area, swimming in the pristine water, trying your hand at tennis, or just unwind with family and friends. 

Osoyoos: sẁiẁs Park 

Coloqually known as Haynes Point, sẁiẁs Park is proudly operated by the Osoyoos Indian Band and sits on a thin strip of land that juts into the Osoyoos Lake. Pronounced more like “s-wee-yous,” sẁiẁs means a place that’s shallow or narrow in the middle of the lake, and refers to how it was used to cross the lake by foot or horse in the past. There are forty-one camp sites, including seven double sites, and they book fast. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to snag a spot this season but keep your eyes open for 2026! 

While this list is in no way complete, it’s a perfect starter package for you to get out and discover different areas across the Okanagan. It wouldn’t be a proper summer if you didn’t get your toes into at least three different lakes, and this is just one way to do it! 

We wish you a spectacular summertime vacation. There’s no place in BC—or Canada—quite like our valley and we couldn’t be happier to promote all the hidden gems sprinkled throughout. 

Happy camping!

XX,

Your Okanagan Curators