Scenic Lookouts in the Okanagan Tourism

Description

Mount Rose Swanson Trails & Lookouts requires a moderate hike along its trails. There are four lookout scenic spots throughout the entire trail system. The one that most visit is the tower lookout point (Mount Rose). That is about 2.5 km from the start (trailhead). There is a pit toilet near the tower location. The hike is enjoyable, mostly shaded by the trees and the scenic views astounding. Remember to bring your camera. If you take shots with your cell-phone, do a few landscape (wide) shots, because portrait (straight up and down) does no justice to the natural beauty for later photo viewing.

Below are two PDF maps you can view and download. The main website listed below provides detailed information about the trails and what to expect, including mosquitoes in the spring time.

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End – Armstrong Area Scenic Lookouts

Enderby Cliffs Provincial Park

Larch Hill Lookout © Google Maps Contributor

Enderby Cliffs Prov. Park-parking entrance © OkConnect.events

2,299 hectares (ha)

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Seasonal Hours

Schedule…

All Year Round

Subject to Weather

Description

Enderby Cliffs Provincial Park towers high above the city of Enderby and the Shuswap River. This provincial park offers breathtaking views and wonderful hikes along the Tplaqin Trail. The park offers a day-use area beside the parking lot, providing picnic tables.

There are 3 main lookout points (with their distance from the parking lot);

1. Shuswap Lookout (2.3km)
2. Larch Hills Lookout (3.2km)
3. Enderby Cliffs Summit (6.9km)

Any one of these lookouts requires a day venture, it is strongly advised to prepare for the hike to these lookout points. Along with the lookout spots, you may also see wildlife around you.

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Adventure Bay Trail & Lookout

Adventure Bay Trail & Scenic Lookout (Tavistock Rd, Vernon) © OKConnect.events

Adventure Bay Trail & Scenic Lookout-entrance (Tavistock Rd, Vernon) © OKConnect.events

View Lookout Entrance

Seasonal Hours

Schedule…

All Year

Subject to Weather

Description

Adventure Bay Lookout is on a hill above Okanagan Lake and is the same location as Adventure Bay Trails. You can visit the location just to see the wonderful scenery and Okanagan Lake below, or do both a scenic visit and hike the trail right beside it. Access to the viewpoint is to park on the roadway, parking is limited.

Public Trail — Some of the trail is open to the public and the City of Vernon promised (in 2021) to place signage along the trail to distinguish the public area from the private. The hike along the trail is apparently easy to do, if you chose it. The entire hike is about 1.5 hours. The hike itself is very scenic, to see a lot of the countryside area and lake below.

Fall-Winter Season – if you attend in the late fall or into winter, expect some snow and ice in the higher elevations and expect the trail to be closed, but the scenic view is close to the road.

Allan Brooks Nature Centre

Allan Brookes Nature Centre-scenic lookout © OKConnect.events

Allan Brooks Nature Centre-Mission Road entrance © OKConnect.events

View Nature Centre Entrance

Seasonal Hours

Schedule…

Spring – Fall | April – October

Winter

Description

The Allan Brooks Nature Centre provides the opportunity to browse and enjoy the scenic landscape of Vernon and Kalamalka Lake, making it great for pictures.

Along with a scenic lookout visit, the Allan Brooks Nature Centre also provides visitors a first-hand opportunity to see and learn about the Okanagan’s unique and diverse natural heritage through views, information, programs and displays of the region’s natural areas.

High Ridge Road Pullout

High Ridge Rd Pullout Lookout-scenery © OKConnect.events

High Ridge Rd Pullout Lookout-entrance © OKConnect.events

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Hours

Schedule…

All Year

Subject to Weather

Description

High Ridge Road pullout lookout is a wide vista view of the serene Kalamalka Lake. It is a great spot for photos as you take a break. The pullout is a gravel area built to provide temporary vehicle parking off the main road which leads to Kekuli Bay Provincial Park.

Kalamalka Lakeview Drive Lookout

Kalamalka Lakeview Drive Scenic Lookout © OKConnect.events

Kalamalka Lakeview Drive Lookout-entrance © OKConnect.events

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Hours

Schedule…

All Year

Subject to Weather

Description

Kalamalka Lakeview Drive Lookout is a pullout just off HWY 97 and Kalamalka Lakeview Drive in Vernon. The lookout is above Kalamalka Lake, offering visitors a majestic view of the lake and of the City of Vernon to the north. Tourist buses stop at this lookout during the entire summer and many others visit this lookout, including locals, to take wonderful pictures.

This lookout also connects with the Kalamalka Lookout Trail that parallels the Okanagan Rail Trail and later connects with it. See below under the Sitemap section to get the link to the Vernon’s Top Hiking Trail interactive maps.

Elevation: 497 meters | 105 meters above Kalamalka Lake.

Middleton Mountain Trails Lookouts

Middleton Mountain Trails First Scenic Lookout © OKConnect.events

Middleton Mountain Trails-entrance © OKConnect.events

View Trails Entrance

Hours

Schedule…

All Year

Subject to Weather

Check main website for details and confirmation of hours, rates, individual session information, changes, etc.

Description

Middleton Mountain Trails Lookouts are at the top of Middleton Mountain in Vernon. To get there is a rather steep zig-zag trail from the Mt Ida Drive trail entrance.

The trail is along an open grassland area atop of Middleton Mountain that affords you a wonderful view of Kalamalka Lake and the City of Vernon. When you reach the top from the dirt path and stair ascent, at your right a short distance away, is the first lookout point with a bench. There is a wonderful view and photo shoot opportunity of Kalamalka Lake. Further along the trails there are several lookout points along the trail.

Rocky Ridge Park

Rocky Ridge Park scenic lookout © OKConnect.events

Rocky Ridge Park entrance & parking © OKConnect.events

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Hours

Schedule…

All Year

Subject to Weather

Description

Rocky Ridge Park is a scenic spot within the Gray Canal Trail system of Vernon BC. Access to the Rocky Ridge Park is a short trail with a set of stairs to a plateau ridge high above the City of Vernon. The Rocky Ridge Park is located within a residential development on Turtle Mountain, giving you a spectacular view, great for photo shoots.

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End – Vernon Area Scenic Lookouts

Bertram Creek Regional Park Lookout

Bertram Creek Regional Park Lookout © Google Maps Contributor

Bertram Creek Regional Park Lookout-entrance © Google Maps-Street View

View Park Entrance

Seasonal Hours

Schedule…

Monthly Hours

Upper & Lower Vehicle Gate Entrances

Check main website for details and confirmation of hours, rates, individual session information, changes, etc.

Description

Bertram Creek Regional Park, in Kelowna, is 17.9 hectares on the shore of Okanagan Lake. This park has many amenities including hiking paths and a lookout over the lake. Use the PDF map (link below under “Site Map / Brochures / Events”, to see where the lookout is located. During your visit to Bertram Creek Regional Park, you can enjoy its amenities as hiking, picnicking, or take a swim at the beach area.

Cedar Creek Park

Cedar Creek Park-scenic lookout spot © Google Maps Contributor

Cedar Creek Park-entrance © Google Maps-Street View

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Hours

Schedule…

All Year

Winter Season | October 31 – March 31

Subject to Weather

Check main website for details and confirmation of hours, rates, individual session information, changes, etc.

Description

Cedar Creek Park is a moderate size park that provides a rocky beach area, dirt-pebble trails, a park like setting with picnic areas that have a fantastic view of Okanagan Lake below. You can enjoy everything from a swim, to a picnic, to a leisurely walk, to many wonderful scenic camera shots and of course, and for pet owners, let your dog run about without a leash.

Dilworth Mountain Park Lookout

Dilworth Mountain Park Lookout © Google Maps Contributor

Dilworth Mountain Park-entrance © Google Maps-Street View

View Park Entrance

Hours

Schedule…

All Year

Gates Closed

Subject to Weather

Check main website for details and confirmation of hours, rates, individual session information, changes, etc.

Description

Dilworth Mountain Park Lookout in Kelowna, boasts some of the best vantage points overlooking Kelowna. There is a short hike on dirt and rocky paths from the parking lot to the vantage lookout points, and well worth the exercise. There are some narrow and steep trail parts, but the entire hike is classified as easy. Wear good foot gear. Flip flops are never good for hikes, no matter how easy.

Bring your camera for some great shots with your loved ones.

Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park

Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park-lookout © Google Maps Contributor

Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park-entrance © Google Maps-Street View

400+ hectares (ha)

View Entrance

Seasonal Hours

Schedule…

January 01 – February 28

March 01 – May 31

June 01 – August 31

September 01 – October 14

October 15 – December 31

Winter Season

Subject to Weather

Check main website for details and confirmation of hours, rates, individual session information, changes, etc.

Description

Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park, in south Kelowna, is a Central Okanagan Regional Park of a size of over 400 hectares (ha). This Central Okanagan Regional park offers fantastic panoramic views, trails, and opportunities for rock climbing.

Most trails are easy to moderate, with some harder trails. All trails are well maintained for spring to early fall access. With great viewing spots, it offers a great opportunity for a family outing, and it is pet friendly.

Knox Mountain Park LookOut

Roadside Lookout-Knox Mountain Park © Google Maps-Street View

Knox Mountain Park-entrance © Google Maps-Street View

385 hectares (ha)

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Seasonal Hours

Schedule…

Spring to Fall

Vehicle Access Hours

Subject to Weather

Check main website for details and confirmation of hours, rates, individual session information, changes, etc.

Description

Knox Mountain Park lookouts is the largest natural area city park, a size of 385 hectares, just north of downtown Kelowna. There are many lookout spots on Knox Mountain, some accessible by car, and the rest by foot or bicycle. Knox Mountain Park provides many “official” lookout spots and countless unofficial lookout spots to enjoy during your scenic drive, or your scenic hikes, or cycle tours along the mountain trails. The views from any of these lookout spots are spectacular, providing excellent selfies (watch the edge or slope behind you!), group and family photos.

Note: the Sitemap/Brochure PDF (link below) provides an excellent trail and amenities map of Knox Mountain.

Kuiper’s Peak Mountain Park

A Kuipers Peak Park scenic spot © Google Maps Contributor

Kuiper’s Peak Park – Heweston Ave entrance © Google Maps-Street View

11 hectares (ha)

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Hours

Schedule…

All Year Round

Winter Season

Subject to Weather

Check main website for details and confirmation of hours, rates, individual session information, changes, etc.

Description

Kuiper’s Peak Mountain Park, located in Kelowna BC, is a 11 hectare park that provides access to scenic hiking, jogging or to just enjoy the view with nature. There is a 360 view of the Okanagan Valley from atop of Kuiper’s Peak Mountain Park, certainly a place to enjoy, take lots of selfies with the view as the vast background and enjoy with your family.

Trail – A dirt pathway located where the Kuiper’s Peak sign stands. A fenced pathway leading upward from the residential roadside on Heweston Court.

McCulloch Road Lookout

McCulloch Road-scenic lookout © Google Maps Contributor

McCulloch Road Lookout-entrance © Google Maps-Street View

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Seasonal Hours

Schedule…

All Year

Subject to Weather

Description

McCulloch Lookout (McCulloch Road Lookout) in Kelowna, is an off road pull-out scenic spot. This location provides a panoramic view of Kelowna, including Okanagan Lake and the mountains to the west.

Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park

Myra-Bellevue Prov Park-scenic spot © Google Maps Contributor

Myra-Bellevue Prov Park-day use parking entrance © Google Maps-Street View

View Day-use Parking entrance

Hours

Schedule…

All Year

Subject to Weather

Check main website for details and confirmation of hours, rates, individual session information, changes, etc.

Description

Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park in Kelowna, is a scenic canyon providing lots of excellent natural scenic beauty. To get to the scenic wonders, the park has a number of trails for hiking, horseback riding, cycling, e-cycling, and small motorized vehicles like ATV’s. The Myra Canyon trails are from the historic Kettle Valley Railway, including its trestles and tunnels. This park certainly has a lot of recreational and scenic appeal.

There are two main park entrances, both with parking. The Myra Day-use parking is located at the end of Stewart Rd. E, and the Myra Station parking lot is at Kettle Valley Rail Trail (road), about 250 meters south of Myra Forest Service Rd (see Route / Distance section above).

The majority of trails are easy and enjoyable for the whole family. They are rather long trails, so ensure you carry enough water and proper clothing and shoes for the weather. If you decide to cycle the park, bring your bicycles or you can rent one at the mountain bicycle rental hut near the Myra Station Parking Lot on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail (road). The park is open all year round, but the bicycle rentals are seasonal, from spring to early fall.

It is strongly suggested to review the PDF map provided (see Sitemaps below).

Paul’s Tomb Trail Lookout

Paul’s Tomb Trail lookout spot © Google Maps Contributor

Paul’s Tomb Trail-alternate access point-Poplar Point Drive © Google Maps-Street View

View Alternate Access Point

Seasonal Hours

Schedule…

Spring to Fall / Per Knox Mountain Park

Vehicle Access Hours / Per Knox Mountain Park

Subject to Weather

Check main website for details and confirmation of hours, rates, individual session information, changes, etc.

Description

Paul’s Tomb Trail lookout is located within the boundaries of Knox Mountain Park. The trail to Paul’s Tomb is one of Knox Mountain’s trails to numerous lookout points. The trail is about a 45 minute walk, one way, depending where you start, and is relatively easy. There are many benches along the trail to Paul’s Tomb, all with a wonderful full of the Okanagan. When reaching Paul’s Tomb, there are picnic tables, and a path to the beach.

★ See Knox Mountain Park online brochure below (Site Map/Brochures). ★

The trail to Paul’s Tomb holds wonderful natural views of Kelowna, the Okanagan Lake and of the west-side of Kelowna (West Kelowna, aka Westbank). Ensure you are protected against the sun and carry sufficient water for this walk, especially in the hot sun. A lot of the trail to Paul’s Tomb is in an open area, AND you have to hike back to your car.

Even though Paul’s Tomb trails and lookout are within Knox Mountain Park, this location is treated by many as a separate entity.

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End – Kelowna Area Scenic Lookouts