The City - Parks

Many amazing and beautiful parks in the North Okanagan:

1. Heron Rookery
From March to June, Blue herons nest in a stand of cottonwood trees on 24th Avenue.

2. Cools Pond
A charming pond in a rural neighbourhood setting, with viewing platform and interpretative signs. Make it part of an invigorating morning walk!

4. BX Falls and BX Creek
BX Creek trail is 2.2km, along historic sites and unique ecological systems. BX Falls trail is a 15 minute hike, descending a path through layers of earth carved by the waterway.

5. Commonage
Explore one of Canada's most important raptor habitats. Hawks, owls and eagles to be seen.

7. Silver Star Mountain
22km from Vernon, hike and mountain bike the subalpine forest and mountain trails, chairlift rides.

9. Monashee Provincial Park
Pristine trails through beautiful old-growth cedar, hemlock and spruce forests, and untouched watersheds, alpine meadows. Camping in several locations.

10. Okanagan High Rim Trail
50km wilderness trail following the crest of the mountain ridge
Contact the Vernon Outdoors Club (M. Ellison, 546-9678).

11. Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park
Hike through open grasslands, cliffs and through rainforests. Beaches throughout the park are great for swimming. pet beach

12. Ellison Provincial Park
Camping available, outdoor amphitheatre.

13. Larch Hills
Cross-country skiing, hiking

14. Bluenose Mountain
The triple summits of Bluenose are an awesome sight viewed from many Whisper Ridge home sites. Located in the Lavington area 15 minutes east of Vernon. The 1st and 3rd summits are open to hikers, offering fantastic views of the countryside and the Monashees. Take Hwy 6 to Learmouth Rd, follow to a T-junction, turn left and continue on this road for approx. 4km. You will see a cleared area on the eft with a hiking sign near the roadside. An easy to moderate hike. Approx. 3.5hrs round trip. Water and snacks are a good idea.