Outdoor & Recreation
Waterfront Park
Kelowna
THINGS TO DO · KELOWNA & WEST KELOWNA
From sandy lakeside beaches to quiet mountain trails, the Central Okanagan has an outdoor space ready for your afternoon routine.
49 parks · Updated October 2026Park guide · Go Kelowna
Photo: Wireless First Aid · Bertram Creek Regional Park
01AT A GLANCE
The details that matter.
The Central Okanagan contains 49 documented green spaces spanning the Westside, Lake Country, and the main city. These areas range from paved waterfront promenades to forested canyon hikes. You can swim, walk the dog, or set up a picnic blanket across hundreds of public acres.
- Parks in this guide
- 49
- Key Feature
- Okanagan Lake access
- Dog-Friendly
- Numerous off-leash areas
- Top Activity
- Hiking & Biking
01Green Space
Waterfront & city parks
Lawns, playgrounds and promenades minutes from downtown.
Outdoor & Recreation
Bear Creek Provincial Park
Kelowna
Gardens
Kasugai Gardens
Kelowna
Parks
Ben Lee Park
Kelowna
Parks
Stuart Park
Kelowna
Outdoor & Recreation
Cedar Creek Park
Kelowna
Outdoor & Recreation
Bertram Creek Regional Park
Kelowna
Parks
Guisachan Heritage Park
Kelowna
Parks
Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park
Kelowna
Parks
Kerry Park
Kelowna
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•Green Space
Regional & nature parks
Creeks, canyons and wildlife on the edge of town.
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•LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Your Guide to Local Green Spaces
Find out which beaches have the best sand and where to take your dog for an off-leash swim.
The short answer
Begin at Waterfront Park and Stuart Park for paved boardwalks and lake access. Families usually head straight to Ben Lee Park for the splash pad, while hikers prefer the canyon paths at Bear Creek Provincial Park.
01Lakeside Spots
Beaches & Boardwalks
Okanagan Lake shapes the local geography, anchoring the most popular public spaces. Downtown, Waterfront Park has expansive lawns, sandy shores, and a paved boardwalk for easy walking. Right next door, Stuart Park stays busy year-round, known for its winter ice rink and summer live music.
Across the bridge, Pritchard Park sits in a quiet Westside neighbourhood. It has a sandy beach, playground, and a dock for jumping into the water. Heading south, Bertram Creek Regional Park gives you a quieter lakeside afternoon with pebble beaches, picnic tables, and short trails away from the downtown traffic. It works well for swimming, kayaking, or eating lunch outside.
Up in Lake Country, Kaloya Regional Park occupies a peninsula on Kalamalka Lake. The water surrounds the beach and flat walking paths. These spots give you direct access to the sand and water that define the region.
Local tips
- Downtown parking fills up fast in July and August; try walking or riding a bike.
- Look up seasonal water quality advisories before swimming.
- Long weekends often bring live music and festivals to the downtown shoreline.
02Regional Trails
Hiking & Vistas
The hills surrounding the valley floor contain miles of hiking routes. Bear Creek Provincial Park draws heavy crowds for its campground and canyon trail, which crosses bridges over waterfalls. The shaded creek path stays cool on hot summer afternoons.
On the west side of the lake, Kalamoir Regional Park runs right along the water. The Waterfront Trail is flat and accessible, while the Upper Rim Trail requires a moderate climb that pays off with wide views of the valley. Arrowleaf Balsamroot blooms cover these hillsides in yellow every spring.
For a rougher hike, Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park protects over 400 hectares of land. You can walk the 1.1-kilometre Crags Trail or visit at night to stargaze, as the area is a designated Nocturnal Preserve. Not far away, Shannon Lake Regional Park has a flat loop trail around the water where locals often fish.
Local tips
- Carry plenty of water for exposed hillside hikes in July and August.
- Wear a hat and sunscreen on the upper trails.
- Check the regional district website for trail closures during spring runoff.
03For All Ages
Playgrounds & Splash Pads
Neighbourhoods across the valley maintain spaces built specifically for kids. Up in Rutland, Ben Lee Park draws families from all over town with its large water park, accessible playground, and busy skateboard bowl. Kids easily spend hours here.
Over in Westbank Centre Park, Julia's Junction - Inclusive Play Space is the first fully accessible playground in the area. The design allows children of all abilities to play together using ground-level equipment and sensory activities within a fully fenced perimeter. It has quickly become a busy gathering spot.
For a quieter afternoon, Shannon Woods Park has a fully fenced playground with standard climbing structures. In Lake Country, Beasley Park combines a playground with large sports fields, giving active kids plenty of room to run. These stops give parents a safe place to let children burn off energy.
Local tips
- Community washrooms often close between October and April.
- Splash pads usually turn on during the May long weekend and shut off after Labour Day.
- Arrive early to claim a covered picnic shelter on hot days.
04Off-Leash Areas
Dog Beaches & Fields
Taking your dog for a swim is a daily ritual for many locals. Cedar Creek Park is the busiest dog beach in the region. It has a massive off-leash field and a long stretch of pebble beach on Okanagan Lake. It acts as a major social hub for dogs and their owners.
Across the bridge, Kalamoir Regional Park has two specific dog beaches, so you can hike the trails and let your dog cool off in the lake afterward. If you need a fully fenced space, Shannon Woods Park and Westbank Centre Park both maintain enclosed off-leash areas.
Near the downtown core, the Lake Avenue Beach Access gives dogs a sandy spot to swim right beside the William R. Bennett Bridge. Bear Creek Provincial Park also maintains a specific off-leash dog beach on its north end. Always follow the local bylaws by keeping dogs leashed until you pass the boundary signs.
Local tips
- Carry a water bowl for your dog on hot afternoons.
- Make sure your dog has reliable recall before visiting unfenced areas like Cedar Creek.
- Pack extra waste bags and use the designated bins.
05Peaceful Spots
Gardens & Quiet Escapes
When you need a break from the busy beaches, the local gardens give you a quiet alternative. Kasugai Gardens sits tucked away behind City Hall. Built to recognize a sister-city relationship in Japan, the space incorporates stone lanterns, a waterfall, and a large pond stocked with Koi fish. Admission is free, and the gates stay open from spring through late October.
Guisachan Heritage Park combines local history with formal horticulture. The grounds surround Guisachan House, originally built in 1891 for Lord and Lady Aberdeen. The Edwardian gardens date back to the 1920s. Today, the flower beds and mature trees draw photographers and people looking for a quiet afternoon walk.
These locations move at a slower pace than the waterfront. They work well for reading on a bench or taking macro photos of seasonal blooms. They show off the cultivated side of the local climate.
Local tips
- Kasugai Gardens stays open later into the evening during July and August.
- Leave your dog at home, as pets are not allowed inside the Japanese garden walls.
- The lawns at Guisachan Heritage Park are ideal for a quiet lunch among the flower beds.
06Community Hubs
Picnics & Events
Eating outdoors is a staple of Okanagan summers. Bertram Creek Regional Park stands out for picnics, giving you quiet tables and plenty of grass near the water. Pritchard Park on the Westside has tables right near the sand. If you want to eat with a view, carry your lunch up to the first lookout at Knox Mountain.
Public spaces also act as the main locations for civic events. Stuart Park turns into a public ice rink from December to February, then hosts live music all summer. Waterfront Park handles the massive crowds for Canada Day and the Parks Alive summer concert series.
Smaller spaces get plenty of use too. Guisachan Heritage Park frequently hosts summer weddings and small cultural festivals. From a simple Tuesday lunch on the grass to a massive weekend concert, these public spaces host the community year-round.
Local tips
- You can book the large picnic shelters at Mission Creek and Bertram Creek in advance.
- Check the city website for weekend road closures during major summer festivals.
- Alcohol is strictly prohibited unless you are in a specific zone during an active pilot program.
Kelowna City ParkKnox Mountain ParkWaterfront ParkBoyce-Gyro Beach ParkMission Creek Regional ParkBear Creek Provincial ParkKasugai GardensBen Lee ParkStuart ParkRotary Beach ParkMyra-Bellevue Provincial Park (Myra Canyon)Kaloya Regional ParkBeasley ParkCNR Wharf and Gellatly Bay Aquatic ParkMill Creek Regional ParkCedar Creek ParkSarsons Beach ParkStrathcona Beach ParkBertram Creek Regional ParkAntlers Beach Regional ParkPritchard ParkKalamoir Regional ParkGlen Canyon Regional ParkShannon Lake Regional Park
•Insider Access
Let a local take you there.
Tours, rentals, shops and stays run by Kelowna locals, all bookable from their profiles.
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•THE FULL LIST
Search all 49.
Search by name, narrow by type or community, and sort by the most-reviewed or highest-rated. Every card opens a full profile.
See them on the map49 places
AttractionsKelowna City ParkCity Park in Kelowna.★ 4.6 (4,794) · Kelowna
Hiking TrailsKnox Mountain ParkKelowna's largest natural area park, offering extensive hiking and biking trails with sweeping panoramic views of the city and Okanagan Lake.★ 4.7 (2,976) · KelownaOutdoor & RecreationWaterfront ParkWaterfront Park is Kelowna's vibrant downtown oasis, offering panoramic lake views, a scenic boardwalk, and a hub for recreation and events.★ 4.7 (2,683) · Kelowna
BeachesBoyce-Gyro Beach ParkBoyce-Gyro Beach Park is a lively, family-friendly Kelowna hotspot known for its wide sandy beach, shallow waters, playgrounds, and water sport rentals.★ 4.6 (2,253) · Kelowna
Hiking TrailsMission Creek Regional ParkA nature-filled urban oasis with winding trails, a Kokanee salmon spawning channel, and an environmental education centre for all ages.★ 4.7 (2,027) · KelownaOutdoor & RecreationBear Creek Provincial ParkBear Creek Provincial Park is a popular basecamp for lakeside camping, sandy beaches, and hiking trails on Okanagan Lake's west shore.★ 4.6 (1,294) · KelownaGardensKasugai GardensA serene Japanese garden behind Kelowna City Hall, offering a peaceful retreat with koi ponds, waterfalls, and traditional elements.★ 4.7 (1,218) · KelownaParksBen Lee ParkBen Lee Park is a large, inclusive community park in Rutland, featuring a splash pad, playground, skatepark, and sports courts for all ages.★ 4.5 (1,148) · KelownaParksStuart ParkDiscover Stuart Park, a lively urban green space on Kelowna's waterfront, perfect for relaxation, events, and family fun.★ 4.7 (1,091) · Kelowna
BeachesRotary Beach ParkRotary Beach Park in Kelowna's Lower Mission is a soft sandy beach known for family fun, swimming, and being a prime spot for kitesurfing and paddle sports.★ 4.6 (1,020) · Kelowna
Hiking TrailsMyra-Bellevue Provincial Park (Myra Canyon)Experience the historic Myra Canyon Trestles, a breathtaking section of the Kettle Valley Railway, perfect for cycling and hiking with stunning views.★ 4.8 (938) · Kelowna
Outdoor & RecreationKaloya Regional ParkPark in Lake Country.★ 4.7 (764) · Lake Country•STORIES
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•FAQ
Good to know
Yes, all municipal and regional green spaces in Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Lake Country are free to visit. Provincial sites like Bear Creek charge fees for camping, but day-use access costs nothing.
