Kelowna Weekend Getaway in the Fall. Three Must-do activities.
#rvlife #travel
2022-09-25
Hello everyone! As an RV enthusiast and seasoned traveler, I'd love to share with you the joys of a weekend getaway to Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley - a favorite of mine, especially during the magical Fall season. Sit back, relax, and let me guide you through our recent adventure, immersed in the splendor of the Okanagan Valley.
Nestled in the heart of Eastern British Columbia, Kelowna is a charming city with a myriad of remarkable experiences to offer travelers. Our second annual Fall trip to this fantastic location was packed with picturesque sights, refreshing outdoor activities, and encounters of a delightful nature.
The initial stop on our RV adventure was the Bear Creek Campground in Kelowna, BC, which boasted an impressive landscape. Encircled by towering, dense trees, the campsite resonated tranquility and adventure. Yet, it presented a unique, albeit challenging trial for Starlink, our companion for internet connectivity amidst our travels. If you plan to use Starlink on your own adventure, remember that it could struggle in heavily treed locations - we discovered this when ensuring we could connect online turned into an unexpected challenge. However, the Bear Creek Campground held its own as an enjoyable base for our RV weekend escape to Kelowna.
Next on our itinerary, a visit to the Paynter’s fruit market was in order. Fond memories of our visit last year, filled with fruit picking delights, beckoned to us for a repeat. Our excitement was palpable, and this time, we were thrilled to be accompanied by our friends Christine and Sal. However, Mother Nature had other plans, as the spring freeze had stunted the year’s crop. Though we were initially crestfallen, we shrugged off our disappointment and started our quest for a different spot to pick fruits. We embarked on a simultaneous phone hunt to find a location that could accommodate our fruit picking dreams.
Luck favored us, and we found a place stocked with apples and pears, ready to be plucked. Our spirits lifted, we feasted our eyes on the orchards, and our hands quickly got to work. We reveled in the joy of harvesting our own food, cherishing the fresh taste of just-picked apples and marveling at the gigantic size of some of the pears.
Fruit picking seamlessly morphed into a delightful opportunity to pack a late lunch at the campsite after. The famed Canyon Rim Trail, known for its breathtaking views and potential bighorn sheep sightings, called to us for a post-lunch exploration. Although we didn’t spot any sheep, we still marveled at the stunning landscapes and the thrilling sense of being one with nature.
As night fell, we huddled around the newly tested propane fire and savored the warmth against the chill. The flickering flames added a touch of the fantastic to our conversations and laughter. We tested out different settings, from cute, tiny fires to a maximum that emitted a friendly warmth, encapsulating the cozy, serene atmosphere.
Morning broke over the horizon, and soon we prepared for a cycling adventure on The Kettle Valley Rail Trail. This section was a favorite of ours, with its 18 trestles and 12 kilometers of breathtaking views. Despite the unexpected fog concealing some of our usual clear-day views, we found beauty and mystery in the shifting mists. The fog also painted our wildlife spotting scene with high suspense, as the area hosts an array of animals like Lynx, Bobcat, Cougars, Wolverines, Bears, and Coyotes.
The cycling excursion birthed a sense of accomplishment when we reached the Ruth station. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail is an absolute must-do when in Kelowna.
If you don't fancy bringing bicycles on your travels, fear not. This trail offers ample opportunities for walking explorations and even services for bike rentals. This flexibility ensures every traveler gets to experience the wonders of this unique trail.
As our weekend in Kelowna came to a close, we held close the beautiful memories and experiences we had gathered during our RV getaway to the enchanting city that is Kelowna. Make sure to experience the charm and natural beauty of this destination for yourself; you won't regret it.
Whether it's the annual Fall fruit harvest, the picturesque Canyon Rim Trail, or the historical Kettle Valley Rail Trail – this region of British Columbia promises an unforgettable RVing adventure. Here's to enjoying the great outdoors – Kelowna awaits you!
Fall, fondly referred to as the season of colour, sets a picturesque backdrop for travel enthusiasts across the globe. As December skies take over, the rustling and crunching of brassy leaves underline the melody of a picture-perfect trip, especially when you're on an RV journey. One may wonder, why an RV? Simple—the liberty it presents, coupled with comfort and flexibility, is just unbeatable. Moreover, imagine doing so amidst the incredible autumn hues of Kelowna, British Columbia.
Exploring the RV-journey Culture
RV (Recreational Vehicle) travel has sparked a dramatic shift in the traditional norms of tourism and vacationing, especially amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The 21st-century globe trotters crave experiences that ensure safety, freedom, flexibility, and yet, doesn’t deviate from the main agenda—fun & exploration. This is where RV travel fits in like a puzzle piece.
RV road trips offer the comfort of moving at your own pace, taking the road less traveled, exploring the hidden gems, and bidding goodbye to the tightly-packed tour schedules. So, put your wanderlust at work and plan the ideal trip this fall—awe-inspiring, vibrant, serene, and packed with a thousand kodak moments.
Why Kelowna?
Tucked in the heart of the stunning Okanagan Valley, Kelowna is a dreamy paradise that comes alive in all its grandeur during the fall. Its charm is amplified with the changing foliage, wineries ready to harvest, crystal-clear lake views, hiking paths under canopies of leaves, and lesser crowds. The beautiful palette of rusty oranges, warm reds, golden yellows, and occasionally, bright greens against the blue skies is a spectacular sight. The crisp fall air brushes past you gently, leaving a scent of apples, ripe and ready on trees—the essence of Kelowna.
The Ideal RV Route to Kelowna
There are two main approaches to Kelowna: Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) that goes through Calgary and Kamloops; and the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) passing via Nelson and Penticton.
As fall bathes the Canadian landscape in hues of a warm sunset, the drive along either of these routes offer mesmerizing vistas. Scaling the Rocky Mountains, driving close to the flowing rivers, and peeping at the wildlife in Aston—the journey to Kelowna is just as beautiful as the destination!
Once in Kelowna, the must-visit RV campgrounds include the Bear Creek Provincial Park and the Okanagan Lake Provincial Park, both offering stunning lakeside views and well-equipped camping facilities.
Experience the Fall Colors
The Parks: Step into Kelowna’s city parks, and embrace the fall magic in its true essence. Mission Creek Regional Park’s cottonwoods turn gold, painting a delightful picture for nature enthusiasts, while the charm of Knox Mountain Park, teeming with fall flowers and yellowing trees, is simply captivating.
Hiking Trails: The Myra Canyon Trestles, a part of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, showcases a stunning pop of autumn colour juxtaposed with picturesque views of the surrounding hills and valley.
Indulge in Fall Activities
Wine-tasting and Food: With over 40 wineries in and around Kelowna, the city is the epicenter of the British Columbia wine country. Autumn is the harvest season and holds the most exciting wine events showcasing vintage collections. Don’t miss the Fall Okanagan Wine Festival—a wine lover’s paradise.
Enjoying the local, freshly harvested produce should be on your must-do list. Visit the local farmers’ market and pick fresh apples, pears, squash for a nice meal back in your RV. Or better yet, grab a bite at local farm-to-table restaurants like the Edible Canada or Old Vines Restaurant.
Festivals: Witness the vibrancy of local culture by taking part in fall festivals like the Uptown Rutland Scarecrow Festival, where creative and exuberant scarecrows line the streets, welcoming you into the community spirit.
RV travel carries the opportunity to pick and choose your activities, without getting bottlenecked within fixed timelines. As a result, it becomes a perfect blend of leisurely indulgence and spontaneous adventures.
Before you embark on your RV journey, ensure your vehicle is in top-notch condition. Check tire pressure, brakes, lights, batteries, spare parts and ensure it's equipped with camping essentials and emergency first-aid kits. Always map out your routes, pit stops, and fuel stations for a smooth trip.
Traveling with an RV to Kelowna in the fall is a road-trip worth cherishing—a beautiful convergence of indulgence, exploration, freedom, and comfort. So plan your itinerary, pack up and hit the road. After all, the road is home when you have your RV and a destination as dreamy as Kelowna awaits!