Aerial view of vineyards in the Okaganan Valley in BC

Experience Valleys & Vineyards

Relaxing and renewing experiences that go with the flow.

Sun-drenched valleys that capture the light, grassy slopes, arid lands, and life-giving waterways come together in a place rooted in cultivation and connection.

In Valleys & Vineyards, food carries a story, wine draws from the soil, and movement follows the land’s rhythm.

Lively cities and easy‑going communities offer arts, events, softer adventure, a vibrant food and wine scene, and a feeling of well-being that comes from such an abundant landscape. In the traditional homelands of the Syilx Okanagan Nation and Secwépemc Nation, relationships with this land remain as vibrant as the land itself.

A man selecting fruit at Bears Market in Keremeos.

A bountiful land

Vineyards and fruit orchards line benches that transition gently into desert hills alive with sagebrush and prickly pear cacti. Lakes formed by glaciers flow into grasslands, creating a landscape balanced by both abundance and simplicity, sustained by generations of First Nations care.

Stretching more than 135 kilometres, glacier-formed Okanagan Lake is revered by the Syilx (Okanagan) People. Its shores trace a cultural and ecological lifeline, and nearby lakes—including Skaha, Vaseux, Wood, Kalamalka and Osoyoos—welcome you to pause and sink it all in.

Further south, Canada’s only semi-arid, desert-like lands fan out around Osoyoos. Antelope brush and cactus rise into vine-laced hills, creating a striking contrast and rare biodiversity. At the Osoyoos Desert Centre (which emphasizes desert ecology, conservation, and the unique flora), you’ll learn how this ecosystem, home to scorpions, rattlesnakes, owls and native plants, is being protected for the future.

Wine lovers will also rejoice. The layered terrain is also what makes it one of the world’s most distinct wine-growing areas. Glacial valleys, volcanic soils, and mountain-fed lakes give rise to nuanced, place-specific and award-winning wines, ciders and beer.

Autumn brings more than the harvest: salmon return to freshwater creeks, and native bees—over 400 species—continue their important work of pollinating fields and orchards. And from quiet nut groves in West Kelowna to the fruit stands of Keremeos and Cawston, nature’s generosity abounds.

Stand up paddle boarding on Vaseux Lake in the Okanagan Valley

Peoples in place

From ecosystem to community, culture and land are interwoven.

At Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos, Syilx Okanagan knowledge is shared through interpretive trails, exhibitions, and guided experiences that honour the desert ecosystem. Further north, Sncewips Heritage Museum in West Kelowna shares Syilx and Secwépemc voices. At Pow Wow Between the Lakes, eight bands of the Okanagan Nation Alliance come together in Penticton to celebrate and share culture with the wider community.

Fall marks the return of kokanee salmon—an annual homecoming with profound cultural and ecological importance. Living entirely in freshwater, these legendary fish sustain Okanagan Lake’s ecosystem by feeding wildlife, enriching streams, and reflecting environmental health. Interpretive events at Mission Creek in Kelowna and Hardy Falls in Peachland highlight their conservation and cultural significance.

Across the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, a thriving wine culture blends entrepreneurial spirit with progressive sustainability practices—this was the first region in the Americas to achieve Biosphere certification. Communities here also reflect on the past and embrace the present. Museums such as Laurel Packinghouse, Okanagan Heritage Museum, and the SS Sicamous Marine Heritage Society highlight chapters of local history, while events like Oliver’s Festival of the Grape, Vernon Winter Carnival, Kelowna Pride, and Okanagan Fest of Ale bring people together in bold and joyful ways.

From soil to soul

Food and drink here are rooted in care for the land, the waters, and the people that enjoy them. That spirit fuels a tasty wine and culinary scene across the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, where sustainability and creativity go hand in hand. Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery in Okanagan Falls was the first Canadian winery to earn Biosphere certification, inspiring others to follow. Long-table dinners and terroir-driven menus highlight what’s grown nearby.

At Kelowna’s Meadow Vista and Planet Bee Honey Farm and Meadery, discover how native pollinators keep entire ecosystems humming. In the South Okanagan, nurseries, wineries, and restaurants led by South Asian families are woven into the region’s culinary cloth, adding even more depth and flavour.

The seasons keep things fresh and fun. Pick fruit in Cawston or Vernon, join West Kelowna’s fall nut harvest, or pull over at a roadside stand for just-picked produce. Along the BC Ale Trail—from Penticton to Summerland—breweries, cideries, and distilleries showcase local ingredients with a creative twist.

A couple enjoying the view of Naramata and Okanagan Lake during their bike ride along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail.

Gentle pursuits

Soft adventure suits this place, where the terrain invites an unhurried pace. One of the loveliest routes to cycle is the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, with its special Myra Canyon section near Kelowna, featuring a series of restored wooden trestles and two tunnels that hug dramatic cliff faces. Coast past vineyards, canyon walls, shaded groves, and lakes perfect for floating, paddling, or casting a line. Right from town, the Okanagan Rail Trail offers a smooth ride between Kelowna and Vernon, tracing beaches, picnic spots, and cool places to swim.

This same ease carries over to the region’s trails on foot. Many hiking paths begin close to communities—gentle lake loops, pine forest walks, and valley-view ridges near Knox Mountain in Kelowna or at ski resorts like Big White Ski Resort and SilverStar Mountain Resort. Fall brings gondola-access hikes through golden alpine meadows.

Prefer to slow the pace even more? There are saunas, desert spa experiences, and quiet time by the water. Whether it’s a fall or winter soak at Löyly Floating Sauna in Kelowna or a moment of stillness at Solterra Desert Spa in Osoyoos, these experiences offer a gentle return to yourself.

A group walks through the vineyards at Painted Rock Estate Winery Ltd

Travel with care

Helping to care for this place is simple—and makes any visit even better. Stay on marked trails, take your things with you when you leave, and follow signs or closures. Even those tucked-away beaches and ridge paths may be important for wildlife or hold cultural significance.

Summer is warm and dry, so be fire smart: respect fire bans, don’t leave flames unattended, and avoid parking hot engines on grass. And when you’re sampling the region’s wine, cider, or beer, plan ahead for a safe ride—there are shuttles, taxis in Kelowna, e-bikes, and great guided wine tours.

Choosing businesses that support the community and environment adds to the experience. Look for Indigenous-owned operators (watch for Indigenous Owned and Authentic Indigenous labels), Biosphere Certified tours, and buy local. Travel lightly, stay curious, and you’ll enjoy a trip you’ll feel good about long after you leave.