# Vineyard slopes, cable ferries and hot springs – by motorhome through the Okanagan and across the lakes of the Kootenays

> 8-day round trip of about 1,346 km (836 mi) with 12 stops, starting and ending in Vancouver. About 14 h 56 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-019-okanagan-kootenay-lakes/

**At a glance:** 8-day round trip of about 1,346 km (836 mi) with 12 stops, starting and ending in Vancouver. About 14 h 56 min of driving in total. About 1,700 kilometres in a loop from Vancouver: over the Coquihalla into the sunny Okanagan, across the Monashee Pass and two free ferries to the Arrow Lakes and Kootenay Lake, and back via Kootenay Pass, Anarchist Mountain and Manning Park.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 1,346 km (836 mi) |
| Driving | 14 h 56 min |
| Suggested days | 8 |
| Stops | 12 |
| Route | Vancouver → Vancouver |
| Provinces | BC |
| Updated | April 28, 2026 |

*About 1,700 kilometres in a loop from Vancouver: over the Coquihalla into the sunny Okanagan, across the Monashee Pass and two free ferries to the Arrow Lakes and Kootenay Lake, and back via Kootenay Pass, Anarchist Mountain and Manning Park.*

## The spirit of the route

Beyond the Coquihalla the landscape flips: rainforest turns into pine steppe, and by evening the motorhome is parked between rows of vines and orchards high above the long, blue Okanagan Lake. The air smells of sage and ripe peaches, and there are gravel beaches where you can swim until September. Then the route turns off into the mountains. Beyond the Monashee Pass the forest grows denser and damper, a cable ferry pulls your vehicle across the Lower Arrow Lake in five minutes, and in Nakusp the thermal pool steams in the evening. In the Kootenays you find silver-mining towns, an old sternwheeler and lakeside roads where a new fjord-like arm of water appears around every bend. The longest ferry crossing of the loop costs nothing, takes a good half hour and, with a coffee cup in hand at the rail, is the quietest moment of the trip. Finally, the Crowsnest Highway leads back over four passes, past Canada’s driest corner near Osoyoos.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Vancouver to Summerland (Okanagan Lake) (approx. 400 km)

- **The drive:** A long but well-built travel day: on Hwy 1 through the Fraser Valley to Hope, then on the Coquihalla Highway (Hwy 5) over the Coquihalla Summit at about 1,240 m to Merritt – four lanes and toll-free, but with long climbs and descents that test your engine brake and cooling system. Beyond Merritt the Okanagan Connector (Hwy 97C) crosses the plateau at Pennask Summit at over 1,700 m, where there can be fog even in summer and snow already in autumn, then drops steeply to Peachland on Okanagan Lake. The last kilometres run south on Hwy 97 towards Summerland. About 4.5 to 5 hours of pure driving time.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Coquihalla corridor: the route partly follows the line of the old Kettle Valley Railway; the Othello Tunnels lie just a few kilometres off the road near Hope – a good stop on the first morning, provided the park is open (closed in winter from the end of October, check the status on bcparks.ca).
  - Viewpoint pull-outs on the descent from Hwy 97C to Peachland: your first view over Okanagan Lake with the vineyard slopes on the east shore.
  - Summerland: Giant’s Head Mountain with a scenic road and a short summit trail above the lake; the town was evacuated in August 2026 because of the Bald Range fire, and parts of the surrounding area have burned – travel with consideration.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Okanagan Lake Provincial Park right on Hwy 97, about 11 km north of Summerland: two campgrounds (North and South) on terraces above the lake, shaded by planted trees, with a beach, drinking water and flush toilets; run by a park operator, reservations via camping.bcparks.ca, booked up early in summer. The park lies on the edge of the August 2026 Bald Range fire area – check notices and opening status on bcparks.ca beforehand. Rattlesnakes on the dry slopes above the campgrounds.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the Okanagan valley almost everything is private land, winery land or reserve land of the Syilx (Okanagan); roadsides, beach car parks and wineries are not places to sleep, and communities such as Summerland, Penticton and Kelowna strictly limit sleeping in vehicles. Crown land and recreation sites lie in the hills above the valley, reachable only by forest roads – after the 2026 fires some are subject to entry bans by the BC Wildfire Service.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up in Hope: there is no fuel station on the Coquihalla until Merritt, and almost no services on Hwy 97C between Merritt and Peachland either. The brake-check pull-outs before the long descents on the Coquihalla are meant for trucks, but are also fine for a quick check of hot brakes. Winter tyres are required on Hwy 5 and 97C from 1 October – on a trip at the end of September, check the tyre status of your rental vehicle.

### Stage 2: Summerland to Vernon (Kalamalka Lake) (approx. 170 km)

- **The drive:** First 20 km south to Penticton between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake, then along the narrow, winding Naramata Road on the east shore to the wineries of the Naramata Bench and back. Then north on Hwy 97 through Summerland and Peachland, over the William R. Bennett Bridge to Kelowna and on along Wood Lake and Kalamalka Lake to Vernon. Hwy 97 between Penticton and Kelowna was closed for five days in August 2026 because of the Bald Range fire and afterwards open only in daylight; it has been fully open again since mid-August, and near Summerland a 2023 landslide still narrows the road to two lanes. A full day with stops, about 3 hours of pure driving time.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Naramata Bench: wineries on terraces above the lake and the Kettle Valley Rail Trail above the road, which you can follow on foot or by bike to the Little Tunnel with its view over the lake.
  - Myra Canyon near Kelowna: 18 wooden trestles and two tunnels of the Kettle Valley Railway in a gorge high above the city; after the Okanagan Mountain Park fire of 2003 the trestles were rebuilt true to the original. Access is by a steep mountain road, with a large car park, and only in dry weather for long vehicles.
  - Kalamalka Lake: depending on the light the lake shimmers from turquoise to jade green, best seen from the viewpoint on Hwy 97 south of Vernon or from the Okanagan Rail Trail on the west shore.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Kekuli Bay Provincial Park on the west shore of Kalamalka Lake, about 11 km south of Vernon: a campground opened in 2018 with a good 80 sites, a few of them with electrical hook-up, flush toilets, hot showers and a boat ramp, right on the Okanagan Rail Trail; still little shade. Reservations via camping.bcparks.ca, check season dates on bcparks.ca. Alternative: Ellison Provincial Park on Okanagan Lake south-west of Vernon, shady forest above small bays.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Kelowna and Vernon do not tolerate overnighting in vehicles on streets and car parks. West of Okanagan Lake, recreation sites and Crown land lie in the hills – but in August 2026 Westside Road was closed between Simla Road and Komasket Road because of the Quilpituk Creek and Bradley Creek fires; check access and entry bans on bcwildfire.ca and drivebc.ca.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Naramata Road is narrow, with tight entrances to the wineries; with a large motorhome, park in one spot and continue by bike. Kelowna has the cheapest supermarkets, propane refill points and workshops of the whole loop. After the fire, drinking-water advisories applied in Summerland – it is better to fill your fresh water tank in Penticton or Kelowna and to follow the municipality’s current notices.

### Stage 3: Vernon to Nakusp (approx. 200 km)

- **The drive:** On Hwy 6 east through Coldstream and Lumby into the Shuswap River valley, then up to the Monashee Pass at about 1,190 m: two lanes, winding, with sections without a shoulder and long stretches of forest with no mobile reception. Beyond the pass the road drops to the Lower Arrow Lake. At Needles the free cable ferry takes your vehicle across to Fauquier in about five minutes; from there head north along the east shore of the Arrow Lakes to Nakusp. About 3.5 hours of pure driving time plus the ferry.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Monashee Pass: dense cedar and hemlock forests, waterfalls at the roadside and the boundary between the dry Okanagan and the wet Columbia Mountains.
  - Needles–Fauquier Cable Ferry across the Lower Arrow Lake: runs about every 30 minutes during the day (from Fauquier from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.), on request at night, up to 40 vehicles.
  - Nakusp Hot Springs about 12 km north-east of the town: thermal pools in mountain forest, open daily; in autumn 2026 closed for maintenance from 12 October (from 5 p.m.) to 22 October.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** McDonald Creek Provincial Park on Hwy 6, about 10 km south of Nakusp: a good 70 sites on the east shore of Upper Arrow Lake with a gravel beach, boat ramp and showers; reservations via camping.bcparks.ca. The reservoir’s water level varies greatly, and in late summer the beach lies far out. Nakusp Hot Springs also runs its own campground right beside the pools.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Around the Arrow Lakes there is plenty of Crown land and there are simple recreation sites on forest roads where you may stay for up to 14 days, unless a ban is posted; many of the access roads, however, are steep gravel tracks. Overview and status on sitesandtrailsbc.ca. Do not overnight at the ferry landing or in the pull-outs on Hwy 6.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up in Vernon or Lumby: between Lumby and Nakusp there are only occasional services. At the Needles ferry you queue in the waiting lane; turn off your propane cylinders, as restrictions on dangerous goods apply on the inland ferries (details on gov.bc.ca under Inland Ferries). Watch for wildlife on the Monashee Pass at dusk – deer, moose and bears on the road.

### Stage 4: Nakusp to Kaslo (approx. 100 km)

- **The drive:** On Hwy 6 south-east over a wooded height and down to New Denver on Slocan Lake. Here Hwy 31A branches off: narrow, winding and steep in places, it follows Carpenter Creek past old silver mines, along Fish Lake and through the settlement of Retallack before dropping through a narrow gorge to Kaslo on Kootenay Lake. About 2 hours of pure driving time, more with a detour to Sandon.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre in New Denver: a National Historic Site on the internment of Japanese Canadians from 1942, with preserved huts and a garden (open seasonally).
  - Sandon: a former silver-boom town in a narrow valley above Three Forks, reached by a short gravel detour from Hwy 31A; old power-plant buildings and a row of retired trolley buses.
  - SS Moyie in Kaslo: a sternwheeler built in 1898 that ran on Kootenay Lake for almost 60 years, now a National Historic Site on the waterfront (open seasonally, admission charged).
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Kaslo Municipal Campground on the shore next to the town park, a few steps from the SS Moyie and Front Street: sites with and without hook-ups, showers, a sani-station next door; open from spring to autumn, depending on the weather. Alternative: Kootenay Lake Provincial Park with the Lost Ledge campground a good 20 km north of Kaslo on Hwy 31 (14 lakeside sites, basic; check the season on bcparks.ca).
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the Slocan Valley and on the north arm of Kootenay Lake there are recreation sites, some right on the water, mostly first come, first served and reached by narrow gravel tracks – for large motorhomes, check on sitesandtrailsbc.ca beforehand. In New Denver and Kaslo do not overnight on the streets or on the shore.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Hwy 31A is demanding for long vehicles but doable; the road to Sandon is narrow and only sensible for compact campers – leave a large vehicle at the junction. New Denver and Kaslo have small shops and fuel stations with higher prices than in the Okanagan. Kaslo is small and Front Street is narrow; for parking use the campground or the parking areas on the waterfront.

### Stage 5: Kaslo to Kootenay Bay – Boswell (Lockhart Beach) (approx. 60 km)

- **The drive:** On Hwy 31 south along the west shore of Kootenay Lake: winding, in places right above the water, past Ainsworth Hot Springs to Balfour. There the Kootenay Lake Ferry departs for Kootenay Bay – about 35 minutes across the West Arm, free of charge and, by the region’s own account, the longest free ferry ride in the world. On the east shore continue south on Hwy 3A via Crawford Bay and Gray Creek to Lockhart Beach. About 1.5 hours of pure driving time plus waiting time and the crossing.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Ainsworth Hot Springs: thermal pools with a horseshoe-shaped, steaming cave in the rock and a cold plunge pool, with a view over Kootenay Lake; now in the hands of the Ktunaxa, admission charged.
  - Crossing Balfour–Kootenay Bay: from the deck there is a view of the Purcell and Selkirk Mountains; since 14 September 2026 the winter schedule has applied, with the MV Osprey 2000 and ten departures daily from Balfour (6:30 a.m. to 9:40 p.m.).
  - Crawford Bay: small craft businesses such as a blacksmith, broom maker and weaving mill along the road, plus sandy beaches on the east shore.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Lockhart Beach Provincial Park on Hwy 3A near Boswell, on the south arm of Kootenay Lake: a small campground with 18 sites in the forest opposite a sand and gravel beach, basic facilities; reservations and season via camping.bcparks.ca. If you want to overnight before the ferry: Kokanee Creek Provincial Park on Hwy 3A between Balfour and Nelson with four campgrounds (over 200 sites), showers, a sani-station, electrical hook-up at the Friends Campground and a spawning channel for kokanee salmon.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On the east shore between Kootenay Bay and Creston the lakeshore is mostly private; free camping is hardly possible here. Crown land and recreation sites lie on forest roads in the Purcells, mostly steep and gravelly. Overnighting is not permitted at the ferry landings in Balfour and Kootenay Bay.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up and shop in Balfour or Nelson before the ferry – on the east shore there are only small shops until Creston. In summer two ships run, in autumn and winter only the MV Osprey 2000; on the last departure in the evening and on summer weekends the waiting lane can be full. From summer 2027 a new ferry for 55 vehicles is due to replace the small MV Balfour; timetable and terminal webcams on gov.bc.ca under Inland Ferries. Hwy 3A on the east shore is narrow and winding, tiresome with a trailer.

### Stage 6: Boswell to Christina Lake (approx. 240 km)

- **The drive:** On Hwy 3A south to Creston, then on Hwy 3 over the Kootenay Pass (Salmo–Creston Skyway): the pass lies at about 1,775 m, the ramps are long and steep, remnants of snow often lie at the top until June, and in winter avalanche closures are a threat. From Salmo continue over Bombi Summit to Castlegar and over Paulson Summit (a good 1,500 m) to Christina Lake. Alternative from Salmo: on Hwy 6 to Nelson and over Hwy 3A to Castlegar – about 30 km longer. About 3.5 to 4 hours of pure driving time.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area: wetland on the Kootenay River with boardwalks and an observation tower, with migratory birds in autumn.
  - Stagleap Provincial Park at the Kootenay Pass: Bog Lake right at the summit, a short lakeside trail and picnic area – day use only.
  - Nelson as a detour: a town from the silver-mining era with restored brick façades on Baker Street.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Gladstone Provincial Park with the Texas Creek Campground on the east shore of Christina Lake, a few kilometres off Hwy 3 along a narrow road: a good 60 reservable sites in the forest, some close to the lake, showers, boat ramp, beach; check site lengths before booking. Reservations via camping.bcparks.ca.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** At the Kootenay Pass there are brake-check pull-outs and the car park at Bog Lake, but no legal places to overnight. Between Salmo and Christina Lake there is Crown land on forest roads, mostly steep and unsuitable for motorhomes; look for recreation sites on sitesandtrailsbc.ca.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up completely in Creston; there is no fuel station for about 85 km as far as Salmo and no mobile reception at the summit. Go downhill in a low gear at the Kootenay Pass and have your brakes checked in the check pull-outs before heading into the valley – the descents are long. On drivebc.ca, check ahead for closures due to rockfall or avalanche control.

### Stage 7: Christina Lake to Osoyoos (approx. 150 km)

- **The drive:** On Hwy 3 west through the Boundary Country: Grand Forks at the confluence of the Kettle and Granby Rivers, the old mining town of Greenwood and Rock Creek, then up to Anarchist Summit at a good 1,200 m. From there the road drops in wide bends about 900 metres of elevation down to Osoyoos – one of the most impressive descents in the province. About 2.5 hours of pure driving time.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Greenwood: Canada’s smallest city, with preserved buildings from the copper-mining era and the chimney of the old smelter on the edge of town.
  - Anarchist Mountain Lookout on Hwy 3: a view down to Osoyoos Lake, the vineyards and the dry valley as far as the US border.
  - Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre of the Osoyoos Indian Band: educational trails through the shrub steppe with sagebrush and antelope-brush, often called Canada’s only desert (admission charged); alternatively the Osoyoos Desert Centre north of the town.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** sẁiẁs Provincial Park (until 2015 Haynes Point) on a narrow spit of land in Osoyoos Lake, about 2 km south of the town: almost all sites right on the water, plus a marsh trail; run by the Osoyoos Indian Band, reservations via camping.bcparks.ca, a maximum of seven nights per year. Extremely popular and hot in summer, plenty of poison ivy in the shore area, strong gusts of wind possible.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The valley around Osoyoos and Oliver is densely occupied by vineyards, orchards and reserve land; free camping is practically impossible here, and the municipality prohibits overnighting on streets and car parks. Crown land lies up on Anarchist Mountain and Mount Baldy, reached by gravel roads – in summer the wildfire risk there is high.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Drive the descent from Anarchist Summit in a low gear; the viewpoint is on the valley side – when merging back in, watch for fast downhill traffic. Osoyoos is one of the hottest places in Canada; in high summer set off early and keep the fridge and water tank full. Oliver, 20 km to the north with its wineries on Black Sage Road, is worth a detour. The US border lies a few kilometres to the south – clarify rental conditions for border crossings beforehand.

### Stage 8: Osoyoos to Manning Park – Vancouver (approx. 400 km)

- **The drive:** On Hwy 3 west over Richter Pass into the Similkameen Valley with fruit stands around Keremeos, on to Princeton and through E.C. Manning Provincial Park over Allison Pass at about 1,340 m. Then the road drops through the valley of the Sumallo River and past the Hope Slide to Hope, and from there on Hwy 1 to Vancouver. Two lanes with many climbing lanes, long descents west of the pass. Around 5 hours of pure driving time – better split with an overnight stop in Manning Park (about 185 km to get there). In July 2026 Hwy 3 was closed for several days between Sunshine Valley and Manning Park because of a wildfire; check the status on drivebc.ca.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Spotted Lake (kłlilx’w) about 10 km west of Osoyoos: a salt lake that in summer breaks up into green, yellow and blue mineral spots; a sacred site of the Syilx, fenced off – view it from the roadside only, do not enter.
  - Keremeos: fruit and vegetable stands on the highway, in late summer peaches, apples and tomatoes straight from the grower; also the 1877 Grist Mill as a historic site.
  - Manning Park: the circuit trail around Lightning Lake, and the road to Cascade Lookout with a view over the North Cascades; in high summer, alpine meadows at Blackwall Peak.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** E.C. Manning Provincial Park with the drive-in campgrounds Lightning Lake, Coldspring, Hampton and Mule Deer in conifer forest at about 1,200 m; Lightning Lake is the largest, on the lake and, like Hampton, with showers. These sites usually close in mid-October, reservations via camping.bcparks.ca. Open all year is the fully serviced Skyview Campground (power, water, sewer) near Lightning Lake, booked through Manning Park Resort. Sani-station at the Visitor Centre, no mobile reception in the park.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Manning Park overnighting is allowed only in the campgrounds; car parks at trailheads and at the Hope Slide are off limits at night. In the Similkameen Valley there are recreation sites on the river and in the side valleys around Princeton, some basic and for compact vehicles (sitesandtrailsbc.ca). Hope and the communities in the Fraser Valley do not tolerate overnighting on streets.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up in Keremeos or Princeton; between Princeton and Hope there are only occasional fuel stations over about 135 km, around Manning Park, which do not always have fuel. Snow can lie on Allison Pass from October, and winter tyres are required on Hwy 3. Before returning the vehicle in Hope, empty the grey and black water, check the propane and avoid rush-hour traffic on Hwy 1 in Greater Vancouver.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- In BC you may camp for up to 14 days in the same spot on undeveloped Crown land and on recreation sites, unless a ban is posted. In the Okanagan, however, Crown land is scarce and lies up in the hills; in the Kootenays there is more of it, mostly on steep, gravelly forest roads. First Nations reserve land (including Syilx and Ktunaxa) as well as private land, wineries and orchards are off limits.
- Recreation Sites and Trails BC (sitesandtrailsbc.ca) runs simple nature sites on lakes and rivers, some with a fee, mostly first come, first served; check access, length limits and status beforehand.
- Provincial parks: reservations via camping.bcparks.ca, on a rolling basis three months in advance; popular sites such as sẁiẁs, Okanagan Lake, Kekuli Bay and Kokanee Creek book up quickly in summer. Most parks allow a maximum of 14 nights per park per calendar year, sẁiẁs only seven.
- Cities such as Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, Osoyoos and Hope restrict sleeping in vehicles on streets and car parks; day-use car parks at lakes, trailheads and ferry landings are off limits at night.
- Wildfire: the loop lies in the Kamloops (Okanagan, Similkameen) and Southeast (Kootenays) Fire Centres. In 2026 the Bald Range fire near Summerland and Peachland (about 25,000 ha, over 20,000 evacuees), the Quilpituk Creek and Bradley Creek fires on Westside Road on the west shore of Okanagan Lake, and Hwy 3 east of Hope was closed in July; as early as 2023 the McDougall Creek fire had struck West Kelowna. In the Kootenays the campfire ban was lifted on 1 September 2026, though some restricted areas remain. Check the current situation on bcwildfire.ca and observe entry bans.
- Bears: black bears everywhere, grizzlies mainly in the Kootenays and in Manning Park. Keep food, cooler and rubbish inside the locked vehicle; in the dry areas of the Okanagan and Similkameen also watch out for rattlesnakes.
- Apps and sites: iOverlander, Park4Night, Campendium; road conditions on drivebc.ca, ferries on gov.bc.ca under Inland Ferries.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Sani-dumps at larger provincial park campgrounds (such as Kokanee Creek, Manning Park at the Visitor Centre), at municipal stations such as in Kaslo and at fuel stations in Kelowna, Vernon, Nelson, Creston, Osoyoos and Hope; overview on sanidumps.com. Between Lumby and Nakusp and on the east shore of Kootenay Lake, disposal options are rare.
- Drinking water: provincial parks mostly have taps; after the 2026 fire, water-quality advisories applied in Summerland. In the hot areas from Osoyoos to Penticton always carry a reserve.
- Never release grey water onto the ground, and empty chemical toilets only at dump stations; there is no disposal at recreation sites.
- Propane in Kelowna, Vernon, Nakusp, Nelson, Castlegar, Creston, Osoyoos and Hope at fuel stations and DIY stores. Canada uses North American fittings, and European cylinders are mostly not refilled. On the inland ferries restrictions on dangerous goods apply – turn cylinders off.
- Fuel: longer gaps between Hope and Merritt (Coquihalla), between Lumby and Nakusp, on the east shore of Kootenay Lake, between Creston and Salmo (about 85 km) and between Princeton and Hope.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits in km/h: Coquihalla up to 120 on some sections, Okanagan Connector somewhat lower; Hwy 97 in the Okanagan mostly 80–100, Hwy 6, 31A and 3A often 50–80 and much lower in bends; Hwy 3 between 80 and 100; in towns 50. There are no separate limits for motorhomes or trailers, the posted signs apply.
- Winter tyres or chains: on almost all highways of this loop – Coquihalla, Hwy 97C, Hwy 3, Hwy 6 and in the Kootenays – required from 1 October to at least 31 March (M+S or snowflake symbol, at least 3.5 mm tread), on signed pass sections until 30 April; fine according to gov.bc.ca is 109 CAD. Check signage and the map on drivebc.ca – anyone travelling from October needs suitable tyres on the rental vehicle.
- Inland ferries: Needles–Fauquier and Kootenay Lake are free and run to a timetable, the Needles cable ferry on request at night. Timetables change seasonally (Kootenay Lake: winter schedule since 14 September 2026); check cancellations and waiting times on gov.bc.ca under Inland Ferries and via the terminal webcams.
- Mountain passes: Coquihalla, Pennask Summit (Hwy 97C), Monashee, Kootenay Pass, Paulson, Anarchist and Allison Pass have long climbs and descents; use the engine brake, heed the brake-check pull-outs and let slow traffic pass in the pull-outs. The Kootenay Pass can be closed for hours in winter because of avalanche danger.
- No toll roads and no low-emission zones on the loop; the Coquihalla has been toll-free since 2008. BC Parks charge no admission, only camping fees; the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre and SS Moyie charge their own admission.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Bear spray with a holster, bought locally in Vancouver or Kelowna: in the Kootenays, at the Monashee Pass and in Manning Park, black bears and grizzlies are regularly close to trails and campgrounds.
- A smoke mask (FFP2) and a small air-purifier or filter solution for the vehicle: in August 2026 wildfire smoke lay over the Okanagan and the Kootenays for weeks.
- Fresh-water canister (20 l) and a sun awning: in Osoyoos and Penticton summer temperatures rise above 40 °C, and shade at sẁiẁs and Kekuli Bay is scarce.
- Swimwear and a towel within easy reach: Nakusp and Ainsworth lie right on the route, plus swimming spots on Kalamalka, Christina and Kootenay Lake.
- Offline maps and a paper map such as the Backroad Mapbook for the Kootenays: at the Monashee Pass, on Hwy 31A, at the Kootenay Pass and in Manning Park there are long dead zones with no signal.
- Warm layers and a winter-tyre check before the start of the trip: on Pennask Summit, Kootenay Pass and Allison Pass snow can fall from the end of September, while the Okanagan is still enjoying late summer.

_As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Vancouver** (BC)
2. **Summerland** (BC)
3. **Penticton** (BC)
4. **Kelowna** (BC)
5. **Vernon** (BC)
6. **Nakusp** (BC)
7. **Kaslo** (BC)
8. **Creston** (BC)
9. **Christina Lake** (BC)
10. **Osoyoos** (BC)
11. **Princeton** (BC)
12. **Vancouver** (BC)

## FAQs

**How long is Vineyard slopes, cable ferries and hot springs – by motorhome through the Okanagan and across the lakes of the Kootenays?**
8-day round trip of about 1,346 km (836 mi) with 12 stops, starting and ending in Vancouver. About 14 h 56 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Vineyard slopes, cable ferries and hot springs – by motorhome through the Okanagan and across the lakes of the Kootenays?**
We suggest 8 days: about 14 h 56 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Vineyard slopes, cable ferries and hot springs – by motorhome through the Okanagan and across the lakes of the Kootenays start and end?**
It is a round trip that starts and ends in Vancouver.

**Which provinces does Vineyard slopes, cable ferries and hot springs – by motorhome through the Okanagan and across the lakes of the Kootenays pass through?**
British Columbia.