Penticton outdoors · Outdoors in Penticton
All Destinations | Europe | Asia | North America | Africa | South America | Oceania | Hotels
Outdoors in Penticton
Outdoors in Penticton
Perhaps the best thing to do in Penticton is to join the locals at the beach, and enjoy the blisteringly hot summer sun. Okanagan Beach follows pretty much the entirety of Lakeshore Drive on Okanagan Lake, and is generally the more family oriented beach. Skaha Beach to the south on Skaha Lake is where Penticton's younger crowd go to see and be seen. Sudbury Beach and Airport Beach are also on Skaha Lake, located west of Skaha Beach on the south side of Highway 97 (Caution: Sudbury is used as a kitesurf launch during the off-season.). Three Mile Beach is a good bet when the crowds at the other beaches are getting you down. Located just north of town, follow Naramata Road north, turn left at Three Mile Road, and follow down to the lake. If you walk along the beach to the north you will find an unofficial nudist area.
Golfers will find themselves at home, with four golf courses in the city limits, and several more just beyond:
Pine Hills/Sage Mesa, 3610 Pine Hill Drive, +1 250 492-5731. Two different 18 hole courses set high on a plateau overlooking Penticton and the lakes.
Penticton Golf and Country Club, 600 Comox St, +1 250 492-5626, . Don't let the name fool you, the public is welcome. $27 for 9 holes; $50 for 18.
Skaha Meadows, Highway 97 South (just past the airport), +1 250 492-7274. Penticton's newest course is a 9 hole par 35.
Mini Golf, 75 Riverside (just steps from the S.S. Sicamous), . Family-friendly outdoor mini golf course. Adults $8, children $6.
Rock climbers will want to check out the renowned Skaha Climbing Bluffs located adjacent to Skaha Lake on the southern edge of the city. Access is controlled and a daily access fee is charged to hike into the bluffs, see for maps and details. "Skaha" as it is known among climbers, has over four hundred established routes with a near equal split of traditional (gear) and sport (fixed bolt) lines that range between 5.6 and 5.13b. An excellent guide book is available locally and provides a map, directions, and grades (Yosemite).
Cyclists and hikers will want to visit the stunning Kettle Valley Trail which follows the old railway grade from Penticton through Naramata's bench wineries, and farther along, a system of tunnels and trestles leading all the way to Castlegar and beyond, some several hundreds of kilometers. Part of the Trans-Canada Trail which bills itself as the longest recreational trail in the world. You can also travel the railway grade on the opposite side of the lake 10km to Summerland which is gatewayed by the dramatic Trout Creek Railway Trestle, the highest in British Columbia.
Another traditional pastime in Penticton is floating down the River Channel, which is a small shallow river that flows south from Okanagan Lake to Skaha Lake. This leisurely trip takes from 2 to 3.5 hours depending on water levels in the channel. Be sure to bring sunscreen or you will burn up! Coyote Cruises (215 Riverside, +1 250 492-2115) operates a shuttle bus service to transport you back to the parking area on the north side of town. They also provide tube rentals if you don't have your own. $10 for tire inter-tube and transportation. If you have your flotation device and can work out the logistics of getting a ride and keeping your valuables dry you can do the full channel for free. Otherwise Coyote Cruises is a convenient way to go but only covers about half the channel length.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Penticton
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Penticton - updated May 2024
SAVE up to 75% on Last Minute deals! Search for discount Penticton hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, guest accommodations and vacation resorts. Book now and pay at the hotel. Instant email confirmation!
>>> SEARCH FOR DEALS <<<
WHERE TO TRAVEL NEXT IN 2020
Penticton Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
