Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

So you had family holidays in a dump like Blackpool? That accounts for your desire/need for discos, bouncy castles and all matter of tat and trashy surroundings.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

It beats Whitley Bay.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Says the person from Scotland;)

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

That's very judgmental, that's all we could afford.:(
Anyway I'll agree to disagree 'lest' we hijack the OP's thread with tired discussions of semiotical contradictions of mass culture.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Thanks Ann. That's what I wanted - a few tips from people's own personal experiences. I've had a look at various websites but they only tell you the good bits and not the places to avoid! ;)

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

We have stayed in Kelowna and done the whole Penticton, Vernon thing. It looked like Spain to us (away from the Benidorm bit): barren and burnt. The lakes are very nice, but I doubt very much there is much to "see".

Away from the lakes and the mountains, I doubt there are any "sights"

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

OK, thanks. Is there another part of BC we should be looking at instead then? We'll be starting off from Cochrane.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

I'll take your word for that but it seems so improbable to me.

Yes, in one afternoon I spent two weeks in Blackpool.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

I believe I have been misunderstood. The whole area is very nice, it's just that it lacks a "Lake Louise" type of place.

I would stop at Emerald Lake on the way, have a look at the tunnel wotsit thing short of the top of Roger's Pass. The places you have mentioned are all very nice (there is a World's Largest Truck someone in there, I can't remember where). The Shushwap area is very picturesque and the fruit sold is tasty and juicy as hell.

It's just that, IMVHO, nothing with a "WOW" factor.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

If you make it to Kelowna it will be hot, there is a beach and a bloody big lake so the kids should be sorted for a few hours. You should also be able to rent something for a drive/paddle on the lake.

One of the things to do in the Okanagan is to visit the wineries for tours and tastings. If you only go to one make it Mission Hill in West Kelowna.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Kikamon Creek is meant to be fab, but its a get up at 5am to book job

Moyie Lake is also nice. On the way through in Creston be sure to do a wildlife canoe safari, go around the kokanee brewery and eat some fruit pies at the blueberry patch

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Thanks to AlmostCanadian, JonboyE and gryphea for some helpful pointers - appreciated. It's given me a few more ideas of things to research. :blink:

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Well, I live in Creston and it's a beautiful little place to visit. For the kids, and yourself, the Creston Valley Wildlife Area is worth a visit and Creston sits at the southern end of Kootenay Lake so almost anything water related can be found.

http://www.crestonwildlife.ca/
http://www.crestonvalley.com/

The drive alongside the lake to Crawford Bay is stunning and from there you could catch the ferry across the lake if you'd like to visit Nelson. Or drive over the Kootenay Pass and maybe see some of the varied wildlife around here.

There is an RV park(Scotties) just behind my place that is supposed to be OK.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Hi , we did a similar route a few years ago on a reccie.
Nelson- avoid staying in town,it's hard to drive around and park- narrow roads and hills. Great place though. We stayed at Kokanee Provincial park http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/exp..._crk/#Location . Our youngest bravely swam in the lake.
Kimberley- serious odd place- almost dead in summer, but we stayed at Kimberley Riverside Campground http://www.kimberleycampground.com/K...i-res_2010.pdf. It was quite big but nice with a good swimming pool.
Golden- I second the Eco Adventure ranch, very nice, quiet clean , watch for bears!!
We enjoyed the wolf Centre just outside Golden, it was quite educational and kids would love it. http://www.northernlightswildlife.com/about_us.html
Vernon- the Silverstar campground-http://www.silverstarcampground.com/about.html OK - a bit run down but has a pool, great views of Swan Lake which is pretty and is close to the Atlantis waterslides-http://www.atlantiswaterslides.ca/. Your kids will love a morning there in the heat.
Another place is just south of Vernon -Kekuli Bay looks nice, it's a little exposed still but the trees are growing rapidly. It's on Kalamalka Lake which is gorgeous but I'm totally biased as I live by it!!
If you visit Vernon , you must visit Kalamalka Park for a walk and swim. It really is beautiful.
Don't forget that the Okanagan in the summer is VERY hot, try to get hook ups if you can, you will need AC or you will cook in an RV. A generator can only be run at certain times . Even Nelson was hot- in the 30's when we were there, but a shady site helped
Near Creston , the Wildlife/ conservation centre was worth a stop, the kids would enjoy the walk.http://www.crestonwildlife.ca/programs.html
Penticton tubing down the canal looks fun but we haven't done it.
That should keep you going. If I think of any more , I'll add it later.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

As has been mentioned the Okanagan can be hot so be prepared. Plenty of lakes to choose from and never a problem getting a parking spot and enjoying a swim whether you choose Penticton, Kelowna or Vernon. Penticton has the channel running between the two lakes that you can float down on a tube then get bused back for about $10 each, great fun and good for the whole family, there is also a bike hire place where you can hire those 6 seater bikes and other fun things.
Go karts, mini golf and children's water parks are in each town, the water parks are free.
Wineries are just about on every street corner so you are spoiled for choice if that's your thing. Stop off in Peachland if you have time, its free to park by the lake, not as busy as West Kelowna and the water is very clean and clear. There is a nice diving and swim area in the middle ideal for kids old or young but that's the busiest part of course.
If you head north of Vernon then Enderby also has a river channel float which is much better than Pentictons. This one has 3 routes to choose from, the longest taking up to 8 hours!!! Maybe a bit ambitious with kids, especially if its hot. We've done the middle one and that took almost 5 hours and we didn't take food. Just up the road from Enderby is Mara Lake provincial park and this is a great place for swimming and picnics. Carry on to Sicamous (houseboat capital of Canada) or Salmon Arm, both worth a look and both sitting alongside the Shuswap Lake.
Not too sure about campsites as we don't camp locally of course but the good ones always seem booked up well in advance i'm told. Have fun