RV RENTALS VERNON
Vernon, BC is located at the north end of the area’s largest lake, Okanagan Lake, and is the home base city for most travelers enjoying year-round recreation areas at Silver Star Mountain. The closest international airport is Kelowna International Airport (YLW), and Vernon is a quick 30-minute drive north along Vernon’s second-biggest lake, Kalamalka. Visitors to the area often explore by renting RVs and traveling by convoy up and down the valley. Others prefer to have rental trailers set up for them at a campsite central to their interests.
The area around Vernon is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground, with opportunities to visit a number of lakeside and inland provincial parks for hiking and biking, picnics, barbeques and swimming.
Within an easy drive of Vernon there are a number of provincial parks, some of which offer camping reservations which must be booked well in advance through the provincial government website.
Ellison Park, located along the eastern shores of Okanagan Lake, is accessed using Eastside Road. One of the area’s most popular parks, this 220-hectare reserve boasts a wide variety of activities, from fishing to cycling, rock-climbing to SCUBA diving. However, there is no boat launch in Ellison Park, so bring your canoe or kayak instead. Ellison has 71 vehicle-accessible campsites, 8 of which are doubles. They are well-spaced and shaded by mature forest, equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. Sites are not serviced, but the park is equipped with showers and flush toilets.
Silver Star Provincial Park is a massive 5,573-hectare nature reserve that hosts one of the top ski hills in North America. Silver Star Mountain Resort is renowned for its downhill runs and Sovereign Lake has an amazing network of cross-country skiing trails, as well as 50km of maintained snowmobile trails. Those persons renting RVs or trailers that are wishing to enjoy Silver Star’s recreation opportunities will have to find campground spaces elsewhere, however. The park offers hotels and cabins but no camping facilities. The closest private campground is Cedar Falls Campground on Tillicum Road, which is less than twenty minutes from the hill.
Kekuli Bay Provincial Park is the best choice for boaters coming through the Vernon Area. Nestled in the hillside shores of Kalamalka Lake, Kekuli boasts amazing views of the lake, known as the ‘Lake of Many Colors’ ranging from dark blue to lime green. The view from this park looks across the lake at unspoiled mountainside that forms part of Kalamalka Provincial Park and the Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve. Their campground facilities can accommodate rental RVs and trailers of all sizes, and a portion of their sites have electrical services available.
Fintry Provincial Park is located on the west side of Okanagan Lake across from Vernon, and requires driving Westside Road south from Vernon, or North from Kelowna. This is the most well-rounded campground on the north end of Okanagan Lake, with all manner of water activities available. It is also a heritage site with a restored manor house, as this property sits on 360-hectares of the former Fintry Estate. There are one hundred reservable sites, including some double sites. On-site showers and flush toilets are provided but electricity is not. The park offers two sani-dump facilities, located at the day-use parking lot.
Travelers in rented RVs or trailers who require more complete services and hook-ups while camping in the Vernon area would be better served looking at the private campgrounds as their base camp.
Dutch’s Campground on Kalamalka Rd is a compact campground that is walking distance from Kal Beach and the local corner store. Over one hundred serviced sites for your RV, trailer or tent with WiFi, a mini-golf course and coin-op laundry available. Bring your propane BBQ or fire pit as wood fires are not permitted due to municipal bylaws.
Cedar Falls Campground on Tillicum Rd is one kilometer in from Silver Star Rd, the main artery to Silver Star Mountain. A variety of different sites are available, from tent sites to pull-throughs with service. Flush toilets, shower facilities and coin-op laundry are located at the top of the property for those on non-serviced sites. This is a wilderness campground, across the road from the popular BX Falls Regional Park, and the wooded property provides great shade during summer months.
Silver Star RV Park on Stickle Road sits on Swan Lake just minutes north of Vernon. This park recently upgraded to include 44 full-service sites, and 36 sites with power and water. Amenities include showers and washrooms, swimming pool, coin-op laundry and free Wifi hot spots. Swan Lake is a smaller lake more suitable for fishing, canoes and kayaks. Shopping facilities are nearby.
TOP AREA ATTRACTIONS FOR VERNON:
Atlantis Waterslides – For kids and kids at heart, the slides and river ride at Atlantis has rides for all ages, along with hot tubs, private cabanas and full concession.
Historic O’Keefe Ranch – Explore Vernon’s history through its oldest established ranch, dating back to 1867. Heritage buildings play host to cowboy dinner shows, museum exhibitions, and even blacksmithing classes while their grounds offer corn mazes and a petting zoo.
Allan Brooks Nature Center – Built into a former observatory overlooking Kalamalka Lake, this center combines indoor exhibits, outdoor trails, and interactive presentations to introduce you to wildlife of the area. They also have a seasonal raptor presentation that brings you face to face with our local birds of prey.
Okanagan Spirits and Craft Distillery – This one is for adults only. Tours of this unique copper-still facility will bring you back to the days of prohibition, which are followed by samplings of their award-winning spirits, liqueurs and even absinthe! Additionally, all main ingredients used in their distillation process come from local farms.
SANI DUMP LOCATIONS (2)
SuperStore Gas Bar, located on Anderson Way in the north end of town – open year round.
Vernon Visitor Center on 39th Avenue – open May to October.
