kayak camping on Okanagan Lake?

[Chris Newton]

Hi,

I just signed up on Playak.

My family and I just bought three kayaks; two tandems(a Necky Tofino and a Seaward Southwind), and a single (a Pungo 120).

We have canoed quite a bit in the past, but our three kids were getting too big so we tried kayaking a year ago at Deep Cove on the coast. We loved it, and bought these boats this spring.

So far this year we have taken two camping trips into Wells Gray Park (Mahood and Clearwater lakes), and really enjoyed those trips.

We are thinking about a multi-day trip on Okanagan Lake that would allow us to stop in different communities and get a different experience from the wilderness of Wells Gray Park. Does anybody know of any good routes or people or books that might talk about this kind of thing?

Chris

[GuyThaLizard]

I have camped on Okanagan Lake at Commando Bay area. There are about 3-4 provincial campgrounds around Commando Bay and these campgrounds are only accessible by boat or by hiking. Basically between Kelowna and Naramata are the free camping areas. You will find little secluded beaches that are great camping areas as well. I usually camp alone so finding a spot to camp is quite easy.

Campgrounds near Rattlesnake Island are rugged and are free, just pack out your trash. These listed have Out-Houses. and fire pits and quite a few areas to pitch a few tents. I love the Okanagan Lake area for camping and kayaking.

Some of the larger campgrounds are..

Reluctant Dragon Cove
Buchan Bay
Commando Bay
Good Creek
Van Hyce Beach


All are included in the attached GPX.

I have attached a GPX file to this reply. The GPX file can be opened with most any GPS program like EasyGPX, (a freeware program), GPS Trackmaker (another freeware program), or I think GoogleEarth as well. I have in the GPX the beacon locations, rivers, bays, and other points-of-interest etc. for Okanagan Lake. You might find it helpful.

TOOLS for GPS link below.
http://www.topografix.com/gpx_resources.asp

[Chris Newton]

Thanks for the information.

We have just started looking at kayaking on Okanagan Lake and I think I need to track down a good map of the actual lake showing the communities and parks around it so we can start putting places androutes in context.

I am going to start by getting the GPS tools you listed above so that I can look at the map you included in your reply.

I'll try to keep updating this discussion as we find things out.

Chris

[GuyThaLizard]

Sounds great! Post some pics too as you tour!

[GuyThaLizard]

Chris I made a online map for Okanagan Lake here is the link.

Okanagan Lake

Hope it works for you!

Guy