Is there free camping near Kelowna?

Yes, there are numerous free-to-use Recreation Sites on Crown Land in the hills around Kelowna, such as those at Postill Lake, James Lake, and Browne Lake. These are rustic sites with basic facilities, accessible via forest service roads, and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Are campfires allowed in Kelowna?

Campfires are banned year-round within the City of Kelowna. In the surrounding Central Okanagan region, campfires may be permitted when there isn't a regional fire ban in effect, but you must always check with the local fire department or the BC Wildfire Service before lighting one.

What is the best month for camping in Kelowna?

July and August offer the hottest, sunniest weather for swimming and water sports, but they are also the busiest. Many locals consider September the best month, with warm weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful autumn scenery.

What should I do if I see a bear while camping?

Do not run. Stay calm, keep your distance, and back away slowly while speaking in a calm voice. Secure any food and report the sighting to the park operator or the Conservation Officer Service. Always carry bear spray when hiking.

Can I camp right on Okanagan Lake?

Yes, several campgrounds are directly on Okanagan Lake. Provincial parks like Bear Creek and Okanagan Lake South offer lakeside sites. Private campgrounds such as Todd's Lakeside RV in Peachland also provide direct beach access.

Where can I go backcountry camping near Kelowna?

Okanagan Mountain Park is the main destination for backcountry camping, offering both hike-in and marine-access campsites along the lake's undeveloped shoreline. The park features rugged terrain with incredible views.

Do I need to worry about ticks or rattlesnakes?

Yes, you should be aware of both. Western rattlesnakes can be found in hot, dry, grassy areas, so stay on marked trails. Ticks are most common in the spring in grassy and wooded areas; it's a good idea to check yourself and your pets after hiking.

Camping Near Kelowna: The Local Guide (2026)

THINGS TO DO · KELOWNA & WEST KELOWNA

Your definitive guide to the best camping near Kelowna, BC. Find provincial parks, lakeside RV resorts, and backcountry sites for your 2026 Okanagan adventure.

25 campgrounds · Updated September 2026Things To Do guide · Go Kelowna

Photo: Rafaël Boisvert · MacDonald Acres RV Park via Google

01AT A GLANCE

The details that matter.

The best camping near Kelowna includes provincial parks like Bear Creek and Okanagan Lake, private lakeside resorts such as Todd's Lakeside RV in Peachland, and rustic recreation sites in the surrounding hills. For 2026, BC Parks reservations open on a three-month rolling window. Always check for fire bans, especially in July and August, and be wildlife-aware in all seasons.

Best Season: April to October
Book Ahead: 3-month window for parks
Best Area: Westside Road
Good to know: Campfires banned in Kelowna

01THINGS TO DO GUIDE

Lakeside camping

Pitch the tent a few steps from the water.

Campgrounds

Wood Lake RV Park and Marina

Lake Country

Campgrounds

Todd‘s Lakeside RV

Peachland

Campgrounds

Tween Lakes Resort

Lake Country

Hover for a closer look.Tap a card for a closer look. A conversation takes you further.

•LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Camping Near Kelowna: Your 2026 Guide

From lakeside family fun to quiet backcountry escapes, here’s everything you need to know about camping in and around Kelowna for the 2026 season.

The short answer

The best campgrounds in Kelowna offer a mix of lakeside fun and quiet nature. For provincial parks with beaches and trails, Bear Creek and Okanagan Lake are top choices. For a private RV park experience right on the water, consider Todd's Lakeside RV in Peachland or Wood Lake RV Park in Lake Country.

01Book Ahead

Provincial Park Campgrounds

The provincial parks near Kelowna are classics for a reason, offering stunning lake access, family-friendly amenities, and well-maintained trails. Bear Creek Provincial Park, just off Westside Road, is a local favourite with over 400 metres of sandy beach and hiking trails in the canyon. Okanagan Lake Provincial Park, north of Summerland, has two large campgrounds (North and South) with beautiful beaches surrounded by ponderosa pine.

Further up Westside Road, Fintry Provincial Park offers a unique mix of history and nature, with a restored manor house and spectacular waterfalls. North of Kelowna, near Vernon, Kekuli Bay Provincial Park is terraced, giving every campsite a panoramic view of the stunningly blue Kalamalka Lake. It's a popular spot for boaters and connects directly to the Okanagan Rail Trail for cycling and walking.

Reservations for all BC Parks campgrounds are essential, especially for summer weekends. For the 2026 season, BC Parks has moved to a three-month rolling reservation window. This means you can book your site a maximum of three months before your arrival date, starting at 7 a.m. PT. Popular spots like Bear Creek and Okanagan Lake can fill up within minutes, so be ready to book online right when the window opens.

Local tips

Set a calendar reminder for 7 a.m. exactly three months before your desired arrival date.
Long weekends are the most competitive, so consider a mid-week trip for better availability.
If a park is full, check back often for cancellations, as spots can open up unexpectedly.
All reservations are made through the official BC Parks website.

02Lakeside Life

Private & Orchard RV Parks

Wood Lake RV Park and Marina, Lake Country

For those who prefer more services, private RV parks offer full hook-ups, laundry, Wi-Fi, and often, prime lakeside locations. In Peachland, Todd‘s Lakeside RV and Peachland RV Park are right on the water, offering easy access for swimming and boating. In Lake Country, Wood Lake RV Park and Marina and Tween Lakes Resort provide a classic Okanagan summer experience on the shores of Wood Lake.

Many campgrounds are nestled within working orchards, offering a unique agricultural-tourism stay. Apple Valley Orchard & RV Park in Kelowna is set in a pioneer orchard established in 1910, with views of the valley and seasonal fruit picking. Other orchard and farm-based RV parks include The Orchard RV Retreat in Lake Country and the quiet Canyon Farms RV Park in southeast Kelowna.

These private parks often have their own reservation systems and booking windows, so it's best to check their websites directly. Many cater to larger RVs and offer monthly rates for those planning a longer stay. Some, like Holiday Park RV & Condo Resort, offer a wide range of amenities, making them a destination in themselves.

Local tips

Book well in advance, as many private sites are reserved a year ahead by returning guests.
Ask about site size and amenities when booking to ensure it fits your RV and needs.
Many orchard RV parks are open year-round, offering a quieter experience in the off-season.

Holiday Park RV & Condo Resort Wood Lake RV Park and Marina Todd‘s Lakeside RV Peachland RV Park Apple Valley Orchard & RV Park Kelowna Urban Farm and RV Park

03Off the Grid

Recreation Sites & Backcountry Lakes

For a more rustic, off-grid experience, the hills around Kelowna are dotted with Recreation Sites and Trails BC locations. These are often free or have a small fee and offer basic amenities like outhouses and fire pits. Popular spots accessible by forest service roads include James Lake, Postill Lake, and Browne Lake. These sites are user-maintained, so the rule is always to pack out what you pack in.

A Backroad Mapbook is an invaluable tool for finding these locations, as cell service is often non-existent. Roads can be rough, so a vehicle with good clearance is recommended. These sites are first-come, first-served and can be busy on long weekends, so it's wise to have a backup plan. Beaver Lake (also known as Swalwell Lake) is another local favourite for fishing and hiking.

For true backcountry hiking, Okanagan Mountain Park is the premier destination. Accessible from Lakeshore Road, the park offers six hike-in campsites and several marine-access sites for those arriving by boat. The 2003 wildfire transformed the landscape, creating vast, open views of Okanagan Lake. Be prepared with water purification and sun protection, as the trails are exposed and water sources are limited.

Local tips

Check the Recreation Sites and Trails BC website for road conditions and site closures before you go.
Tell someone your trip plan, as you'll likely be out of cell range.
Bring your own water or a reliable filtration system.
These are active logging areas; be aware of industrial traffic on forest service roads.

04Know Before You Go

Fire Bans & Campfire Rules

Wildfire prevention is taken very seriously in the Okanagan. Hot, dry conditions mean fire bans are common, especially from July through September. It is your responsibility to know and follow all current restrictions. Bans are typically issued by the BC Wildfire Service for the entire Kamloops Fire Centre, which includes the Okanagan.

A crucial local rule to know is that campfires are not permitted at any time within the City of Kelowna. In surrounding municipalities like West Kelowna, Lake Country, and Peachland, and in regional district areas, campfires may be allowed when a ban is not in effect. Always check with the local fire department or regional district for the most current status.

When campfires are permitted, they must be no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide. You must have at least eight litres of water or a shovel readily available to extinguish it. Never leave a campfire unattended, and make sure the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the site. Fines for violating a fire ban are significant and can include the cost of firefighting if your fire escapes.

Local tips

Bookmark the BC Wildfire Service website for the latest fire ban information.
Consider a CSA- or ULC-approved propane campfire apparatus, which is often permitted during a fire ban.
Report any unattended campfires or open burning violations by calling 1-800-663-5555.
Smoking is also banned in all regional parks to prevent fires.

05Be Aware

Bears & Wildlife

The Central Okanagan is bear country. Both black bears and, less commonly, grizzly bears, live in the region. It is natural for bears to be moving through areas near campgrounds, especially in the spring as they emerge from hibernation and in the fall during hyperphagia, when they feed heavily before denning. The key is to never let them access human food.

Always store food, garbage, and any scented items (like toothpaste or coolers) in a hard-sided vehicle or a designated bear-proof locker. Cook and eat away from your tent. A clean campsite is a safe campsite; pack out all garbage and food waste. Feeding wildlife, even unintentionally, can cause them to become habituated to humans, which often leads to conflict and the destruction of the animal.

When hiking, make noise by talking or singing to avoid surprising a bear. Keep dogs on a leash at all times. While encounters are rare, it's wise to carry bear spray and know how to use it. If you do see a bear, stay calm, do not run, and back away slowly while talking in a calm voice. Report all sightings in residential or recreation areas to the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.

Local tips

Check with WildSafeBC for local wildlife activity reports before your trip.
Never keep food inside your tent.
Be aware of other wildlife, such as rattlesnakes in dry, grassy areas and ticks in the spring.
Respect all wildlife by observing from a distance; never approach or feed any wild animal.

06Get Equipped

Gear Rentals & Best Months

If you don't have your own gear, several local options can get you set up. Companies like Cloud of Goods and One Stop Camping offer complete camping packages with tents, sleeping bags, coolers, and chairs, often with delivery. For individual items, GoPlayPeak is a local platform where you can rent gear like paddleboards, kayaks, and camping kits directly from people in the community. RVR Kelowna also offers comprehensive camping packages.

The prime camping season in the Okanagan runs from April through October. Spring (April-May) is beautiful, with fruit trees in bloom and fewer crowds, though nights can be cool. Summer (June-August) is the most popular time, with hot, sunny weather perfect for lake activities. This is also the busiest period, making reservations crucial.

September and early October are fantastic months for camping. The weather is still warm, the crowds have thinned, and the fall colours begin to appear. It's also a great time for wine touring after a weekend in the woods. Winter camping is available at some year-round RV parks like Apple Valley Orchard & RV Park, offering a very different and quiet Okanagan experience.

Local tips

Book rental gear in advance, especially for long weekends in the summer.
Check if your rental package includes cooking equipment and fuel.
Always pack layers, as Okanagan evenings can cool down quickly, even in summer.

Holiday Park RV & Condo Resort Wood Lake RV Park and Marina Todd‘s Lakeside RV Peachland RV Park Apple Valley Orchard & RV Park Kelowna Urban Farm and RV Park Canyon Farms RV Park West Eagle Campground MacDonald Acres RV Park The Orchard RV Retreat Orchard Hill RV Raven's Nest RV Tween Lakes Resort Ley RV Park & Farm Okanagan RV Park Scenic View RV Park Orchard Valley RV Park KarMont Farms & RV Park Acres RV Park Thunder View RV Tuscany Orchard RV Park Lighthouse RV Park Farm Country RV Park Big Sky RV Park

Open camping near kelowna on the map

•ON THE MAP

Every one of them, pinned.

All 25 campgrounds in this guide on one live map. Filter, zoom in, tap a pin for photos and directions, then open the full profile.

25: Campgrounds
5: Communities
13: Rated 4.5★+

Open camping near kelowna on the map Browse the full list

•THE FULL LIST

All 25 campgrounds.

Search by name, narrow by type or community, and sort by the most-reviewed or highest-rated. Every card opens a full profile.

See them on the map

25 places

CampgroundsHoliday Park RV & Condo ResortResort Hotel in Kelowna.★ 4.2 (569) · Kelowna

CampgroundsWood Lake RV Park and MarinaRv Park in Lake Country.★ 4.1 (433) · Lake Country

CampgroundsTodd‘s Lakeside RVCampground in Peachland.★ 4.4 (394) · Peachland

CampgroundsPeachland RV ParkRv Park in Peachland.★ 4.6 (351) · Peachland

CampgroundsApple Valley Orchard & RV ParkCampground in Kelowna.★ 4.5 (246) · Kelowna

CampgroundsKelowna Urban Farm and RV ParkRv Park in Kelowna.★ 4.4 (187) · Kelowna

CampgroundsCanyon Farms RV ParkRv Park in Kelowna.★ 4.9 (175) · Kelowna

CampgroundsWest Eagle CampgroundRv Park in Westbank.★ 3.7 (160) · Westbank

CampgroundsMacDonald Acres RV ParkCampground in Kelowna.★ 4.7 (141) · Kelowna

CampgroundsThe Orchard RV RetreatCampground in Lake Country.★ 4.6 (100) · Lake Country

CampgroundsOrchard Hill RVCampground in Kelowna.★ 4.8 (96) · Kelowna

CampgroundsRaven's Nest RVRv Park in Westbank.★ 3.8 (86) · Westbank

•STORIES

•FAQ

Good to know

For the 2026 season, BC Parks uses a three-month rolling reservation window. You can book a site up to three months in advance of your arrival date, with the booking window opening at 7 a.m. Pacific Time.