Chapter 05 · Outdoors
Three lakes, the beaches and the Rail Trail
Lake Country is named for its water: Okanagan Lake on the west, Wood Lake in the middle and the south end of Kalamalka Lake in the north. Where the public beaches and launches are, and the trails that join them.
Okanagan Lake forms Lake Country’s western boundary, Wood Lake lies entirely inside it, and the southern end of Kalamalka Lake reaches into Oyama (Wikipedia). Each has a different character: the big lake for boating and sunsets, Wood Lake for warm water and paddling, and Kalamalka for its famous shades of blue and green.
Okanagan Lake
- Coral Beach (Carr’s Landing): beach and boat launch.
- Gable Beach (Carr’s Landing): beach and hand launch.
- Pebble Beach and 4th Street Beach (Okanagan Centre).
- Okanagan Centre Safe Harbour Regional Park: boat launch.
Wood Lake
- Beasley Park (south end): sandy beach, sports fields, volleyball, playground and the Beasley Community Centre.
- Reiswig Regional Park (south end).
- Pelmewash Park and Parkway: a multi-use path along the west shore from Winfield to Oyama, with a beach and picnic areas; dogs on leash.
- Oyama beach and boat launch (north end).
Kalamalka Lake
- Kaloya Regional Park (Oyama): sandy beaches, a paved loop trail, a pavilion and a playground.
Sources: District of Lake Country, Lakes & Beaches; Pelmewash Park; Tourism Kelowna, Kaloya Regional Park.
The Okanagan Rail Trail
The Okanagan Rail Trail runs 49.5 km from Coldstream to downtown Kelowna, through Lake Country, and opened officially on September 27, 2018 (City of Kelowna). In Lake Country it follows the shores of Wood and Kalamalka lakes; from the Oyama isthmus it’s 9.1 km north to Kekuli Bay Provincial Park (Castanet). In August 2026 a 3.2 km section opened north of the airport, and a stretch north of Beaver Lake Road in Lake Country was upgraded with a new crossing light (VernonNow).
“Live near the Rail Trail and you can cycle along two lakes before breakfast. Buyers who try it once rarely want to live anywhere else.”
Sean Phillips, REALTOR®
Spion Kop and other trails
Spion Kop has eight main trails of 0.9 to 4.4 km, with summit views over several lakes; it’s free and dogs are allowed on leash (okanagan.com). Lakestone has its own network of about 29 km of trails (Okanagan Edge).
Town parks
Swalwell Park on Bottom Wood Lake Road has sports fields, a skatepark and the Trethewey Splash Park (closed until spring 2027). Dogs aren’t allowed from April to September (District).
For buyers: living by the water
- Lakefront owners in BC generally don’t own the foreshore. Docks and lifts need provincial authorization; ask for the permits.
- Low-lying areas near Wood Lake and Middle Vernon Creek have flooded before. Check the flood section.
- Beach parks get busy in summer. A home a block back can be quieter than one beside the parking lot.
Questions? Call or text
Ask about a street, a water system, or what your place is worth
Sean Phillips lives full time in the Okanagan and works the whole valley, from Vernon down through Lake Country to Kelowna. Ask him which areas are on lake water and which are on Beaver Lake or Oyama Lake water, whether a house is on sewer or septic, how much of a property is in the Agricultural Land Reserve, or what a realistic list price looks like this month. Straight answers, no pressure.
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