The Best of Lake Country - Driving Tour
The Best of Lake Country Driving Tour
TOUR BEGINS from GATZKE’S FARM MARKET in Oyama on the corner of Hwy 97 and Oyama Road.
Oyama:
-Turn Left out of the parking lot and follow Oyama Rd. across Hwy 97 into the community of Oyama
-Past the light you will go by the Oyama General Store and Oyama Hall
-Turn Left on Trask Rd. and follow it to Kaloya Regional Park
Site 1 – Kaloya Regional Park
-Kaloya Park is a beautiful place to relax with the family, take in the hot Okanagan sunshine and swim in Kalamalka Lake
-Kalamalka Lake (or Kal as it is known by locals) is unique due to its emerald/greenish colour. The lake contains glacial moraine, which accounts for its peculiar and stunning colour. At Kaloya Park, why not take a swim in this beautiful lake?!
-Kaloya park also features a wonderful children’s playground
-Take a walk around the peninsula on a short perimeter trail along Kal Lake
Continue the tour:
-Leave Kaloya Park returning via Trask Rd. to Oyama Rd.
-Turn Left on Oyama Road and pass Pete’s Repeats Antique Store
-Follow Oyama Road through agricultural and orchard land to Winfield. En route, enjoy captivating views of Wood Lake and Oyama.
OPTIONS and ATTRACTIONS along the route to Winfield:
1 – Oyama Lake Alpaca Farm
5561 Oyama Lake Road
-Authentic and unique alpaca farm where these incredible South American animals are raised
-View the alpacas on the farm or phone to book a tour – tel:250 548-4004
Directions:
-From Oyama Road follow signs to Oyama Lake Resort
-Road will become gravel
-Alpaca farm will be on your right – watch for the alpacas in the yard!
2 – Barn Gallery
4450 Towgood Rd. (Oyama Rd. and Towgood Rd.)
Tel: 250 548-3823
-Okanagan original art in a true country setting
3.TruffiCulture
13991 Middlebench Road
Tel: 250 548 0020
- A family run farm with truffiere, apple orchard, animals, and a small but diverse market garden with farm gate sales available. Drop in and experience BC’s newest crop – the enigmatic truffle.
Directions:
-From the intersection of Middlebench Road, and Allison Road,
-200 meters south on the left hand side at 13991 Middlebench Road.
Continue the tour:
Winfield:
-Turn Right on Woodsdale Rd. after reaching the south shore of Wood Lake
Site 2 – Reiswig and Beasley Parks
Parks feature:
-soccer fields
-volley ball courts
-a flat walking track
-washrooms
-change rooms
-a public beach with swimming islands on Wood Lake
-a picnic area
-overall, this park is a good place for kids and the entire family
Continue the tour:
-Follow Woodsdale Rd. and cross Hwy 97
-The road changes names and becomes Oceola Rd.
-If it is fruit season, consider stopping in one of several fruit stands or U-Pick orchards along the route. For more information on the location of these fruit stands please refer to the “Visit Lake Country” visitor guide and map.
-Oceola Rd. changes names again and becomes Okangan Centre Rd. E.; later it becomes Okanagan Centre Rd. W. The roadway remains the same and no turns are needed. Enjoy captivating views of Lake Okanagan.
Site 3- Lake Country Museum & Okanagan Centre Park
The Lake Country Museum was established in 1985 and is located in the old Okanagan Centre School. It holds over 3000 artifacts with an extensive archive to tell the story of our communities history.
Visit the Cafe:
-Hours of operation: 7 days a week 10 am-8pm
Continue the tour:
-Continue on Okanagan Centre W. enjoying the local scenery until you hit Shanks Rd. then Turn right and follow Glenmore Rd to the intersection of Glenmore and Hwy 97. Drive through the lights, take your 1st left to the new location of our Visitor Centre on Main street.
Site 4- Lake Country Visitor Centre
End your tour here and stop in to ask our Tourism BC trained Visitor Counslors about any local questions you may have.
OPTIONAL TOUR EXTENSION: Tour extension is written in italic script
To continue the regular driving tour without the optional tour extension, skip all italic script.
At this point in the tour, there is an option to extend the Lake Country Driving Tour circuit North to Carr’s Landing. This extension will add approximately 19 km round-trip to your driving circuit and will feature a visit to Kopje Regional Park and the community of Carr’s Landing. This extension is not a loop. You will have to return along the same corridor to continue the tour.
-Turn Right on Carr’s Landing Road
-Stay on Carr’s Landing Road enjoying amazing views of the lake and surrounding orchards
-Turn Left into Kopje Regional Park
Optional Site A – Kopje Regional Park
Have fun at this unique and interesting beach-park on the shores of Lake Okanagan. Lie on the beach enjoying views of one of Lake Okanagan’s two islands. Watch the birds as they scavenge for fish along the nearby island.
Later, tour the Gibson Heritage House located in this park. The Gibson House was built at the turn-of-the-20th-century and is an historic structure in the Okanagan. Walk through the gardens surrounding the home and spot some old farm tools.
Continue the tour:
-Drive North along Carr’s Landing Road
-Enter the ward of Carr’s Landing
-Turn Left on Terrace View Rd. to visit Coral Beach Park which has a boat launch, tennis courts, and public washrooms.
-Return to Carr’s Landing Rd. and turn Left to visit:
Optional Site B – Chris Malmkvist Art Studio/Gallery.
16766 Carr’s Landing Rd.
You are invited to tour Chris’s studio and gallery full of interesting paintings, sculptures, and etchings. Please call first to ensure someone is home – 766-4459.
Continue the tour:
Turn around and return southward along the same corridor back to Okanagan Centre Rd. to continue your Lake Country circle tour. We hope that you have enjoyed the optional tour extension.
Turn Right at Okanagan Centre Rd. W.
CONTINUE THE TOUR:
-From the intersection of Okanagan Centre Rd. and Carr’s Landing Rd. continue downhill on Okanagan Centre Rd. W. to the community of Okanagan Centre.
Site 5 – the Wineries of Lake Country
OPTIONS:
There are 2 wineries in Lake Country and they are located very near to one-another
1 – Gray Monk Winery
1055 Camp Rd.
Tel: 250 766-3168
Hours of operation: 7 days a week; 10 am – 5pm (until Oct. 31), Mon. – Sat. 11 am – 5 pm, Sun. 12 pm – 4 pm – until Jan 1., then closed Sundays (Nov. 1 – March 30)
Tours: Daily, every hour from 11 am – 5 pm (until October 31); 2 pm (Nov 1. – Mar. 30)
Visit this famous winery, take a tour, and taste some of the Okanagan’s best wines. Perhaps take lunch in their bistro while enjoying captivating views of Lake Okanagan.
2 – Arrowleaf Cellars
1574 Camp Rd. (turn Right at intersection with Davidson Rd. remaining on Camp Rd.)
Tel: 250 766-2992
Hours of operation: 7 days a week; 10:30 am – 5:30 pm (until November 15)
Enjoy tasting their crisp, fruit-forward wines produced from grapes harvested on-site while enjoying amazing views of Lake Okanagan and Okanagan Centre.
Continue the tour:
-Follow Camp Rd. (south, then east) past Jack Seaton Park to Okanagan Centre Rd. East.
-Turn Right on Okanagan Centre Rd. East
-Turn Left at Berry Rd.
-If it is fruit season, consider purchasing fresh fruit from one of the fruit stands along the way. For more information on locating fruit stands see page 22 of the “Welcome to Lake Country” visitor guide and map
Continue the tour:
-Cross Hwy 97 on Berry Rd.
-Turn Right at Main St. and park your vehicle.
Site 4 – Downtown Winfield and Swalwell Park
-Get out of your car and enjoy the sites, sounds, and smells of downtown Winfield and Swalwell Park
-Check-out the local stores in the shopping centre or cross the Highway and visit Just Because Boutique for unquie gifts and clothing. Perhaps shop for fresh local produce at Farmer’s Fruit and Produce
-Walk down the stairway descending from the parking lot behind Video Express to begin The Art Walk
-The Art Walk is a short and scenic walk from the shopping centre to Swalwell Park. While walking to the park you’ll pass many sculptures and pieces of art. Note the mural at the rear of the IGA as you continue your walk towards the park.
-Once in Swalwell Park appreciate the two exquisite Asian-influenced stone sculptures.
-A Farmer’s Market takes place here in the park on Fridays May to September from 3 to 7 pm.
-Stroll around the surrounding area visiting the buildings along Bottom Wood Lake and Berry Roads. Highlights include the Creekside Theatre and the Lake Country Municipal Building.
Continue the tour:
-Take Berry Rd. eastbound to Bottom Wood Lake Rd.
-Turn Right on Bottom Wood Lake Rd.
-Turn Right on Beaver Lake Rd.
-Continue straight to Hwy 97
-To return to the Gatzke's Farm Market in Oyama, or to go to Vernon and all points North, turn Right on Hwy 97 (Northbound).
-To continue South to Kelowna, either turn Left at Hwy 97 (Southbound) or continue straight to take the back-road to Kelowna.
Directions to Kelowna via Glenmore Rd. (back-road to Kelowna)
-Continue straight across the lights on Glenmore Rd.
-Follow Glenmore Rd. as it turns Left, 2 blocks uphill from the Highway
-Follow Glenmore Rd. as it veers to the Right
-Continue to follow Glenmore Rd. to Kelowna
-Going downtown? If so turn Right at High Rd. and follow it downtown. Refer to Kelowna map for details.