The stand-up paddle board cuts through the glassy turquoise waters of Kalamalka Lake as you glance up at the cliffs rising from the water’s edge, with stands of ponderosa pine glowing in the morning light. Kalamalka Lake is located south of Vernon, BC, and is one of three larger lakes surrounding the city. Each of the three lakes offers something unique, and the semi-arid desert climate provides warmer temperatures in the spring and fall, making Vernon one of the best places in BC for flatwater paddling.
Kalamalka Lake
Kalamalka Lake, often shortened to “Kal Lake” by the locals, is a rare type of water body called a marl lake. This means that when the water warms in the summer, calcium carbonate left by historic glaciers forms crystals in the water that reflect sunlight, giving the lake a magical array of blue, green, and turquoise colours. The two recommended launch points on Kalamalka Lake are Kinloch Boat Launch and WestKal Road Launch. From these points, you can either paddle along the more developed western shoreline, where you can sneak a peek at stunning lakefront homes, or paddle into Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park to discover beautiful beaches to stop at for a swim and sections of untouched shoreline. When paddling into Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, keep your eyes on the shoreline for a chance to spot the wildlife that inhabits the area, such as white-tailed deer, mule deer, mink, bobcat, black bear, cougar, coyote, and red fox. For those looking to rent a paddle board or kayak, check out Kalavida Surf Shop, located next to the popular Kal Beach, to set yourself up for a day on the lake!
Swan Lake
Swan Lake is located at the North end of Vernon, where the vibe changes from urban to rural with a beautiful vista of the rolling hills of grasslands. Access to Swan Lake is banned for power boats above 9.9 horsepower, offering paddlers a calmer environment to take in the picturesque water body. Public boat launch access is provided off Lochdale Road at the Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boat Club. The shoreline around the Swan Lake Nature Reserve at the south end of the lake is an excellent place for bird watching, with over 200 bird species being documented in the area. The lake is an important resting and feeding area for migratory birds and is a significant nesting area for many species. As it does for many of the birds who choose to stop and rest here in their seasonal migration, this water body is sure to provide paddlers with a calm environment to slow down.
Bardolph Lake
For those with a capable 4×4 vehicle who want to venture into the pristine Okanagan Wilderness, Bardolph Lake Recreation Site is your spot. The small lake East of Vernon has been regularly stocked with Rainbow Trout since 1968 and is the perfect place to go kayak fishing. The lake’s northwest side is known to be weedy, providing excellent trout habitat. Local anglers recommend using bloodworms and chironomids in the spring and micro-leeches and dragonfly nymphs at other times of the year. Those looking to cast their line into the water and troll around the lake as they paddle should try putting willow leafs or wedding bands onto the end of their line. The Rec site is close enough to Vernon for a day trip but also offers three campsites for those who need a few days in nature to unwind. A series of Forest Service Roads provide road access to the lake, and directions can be found at the Rec Site Web Page. It is recommended to have a GPS map downloaded in advance to help ensure you don’t get lost.
Okanagan Lake
Okanagan Lake was formed through multiple periods of glaciation in Earth’s history, which carved out the deep U-shaped valley that now holds the lake. Today, this large water body is a recreation hot spot, calling people from all over British Columbia to enjoy the relatively warm water and regular sunny days in the valley. Vernon is located at the North end of Okanagan Lake, with some of the most picturesque sections of shoreline you can find on the lake. The recommended launch point on Okanagan Lake is Hurlburt Park—a pet-friendly beach with a dock and picnic tables, perfect for an after-paddle beach day. A second option is to camp and launch your watercraft from Ellison Provincial Park, which hosts multiple beaches and great opportunities for fishing. Anglers can cast their lines for a chance to reel in rainbow trout, kokanee, and northern pikeminnow. For anyone without their own watercraft, a local company called Eds Kayak offers kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals with a delivery service that will meet you at the beach.
Adaptive Paddling Options
For anyone in a wheelchair or with any other needs for adaptive options, Vernon’s paddling community is an inclusive place where you can get out on the lake. Vernon Adaptive has a partnership with the Vernon Paddling Centre at Paddlewheel Park, located on Okanagan Lake, where they offer clinics, group paddles, adaptive paddling equipment and more. You can park your wheelchair on top of a stand up paddle board fitted with four outriggers for balance or hop into a kayak equipped with custom backrests, outriggers, paddle mounts and hand grips. No matter your needs, the paddling community at the Vernon Paddling Centre is committed to making the lake an inclusive space.
One of the best parts about paddling in Vernon is the easy transition from water to all the luxuries you could expect from a city of its size. It is as easy as ever to paddle in the morning along an undisturbed shoreline and then hop into town to take in the best from a region known for its quality eats and drinks and places to stay. For more info to help plan your trip, visit https://www.tourismvernon.com/
