South Okanagan Road Trip From Vancouver to Osoyoos & Oliver

A South Okanagan road trip from Vancouver is one of the best drives in BC. In just a few days you’ll drive from the West Coast to the desert, try great local food and some of the finest wine in Canada. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a longer loop through the Okanagan Valley to Kelowna, this is the road trip to do.

The drive from Vancouver to Osoyoos is around 400 km and takes about 5 hours without stops. But locations like Manning Park, Princeton, Keremeos and Spotted Lake all deserve a stop.

Vancouver to Osoyoos Road Trip Map & Overview

Best Time for a Road Trip to Okanagan Valley

I visited the Okanagan Valley several times, mainly in spring. May is quieter and underrated, but the local businesses are not all open yet.

July and August are the busiest months and are ideal if swimming in Osoyoos Lake is your priority. At this time of the year, you can expect higher traffic on the highways as well as more expensive accommodation.

September is harvest season in the wineries and crowds start to thin out a bit

But, if I had to pick the best time to visit the Okanagan Valley, that’d be late June. You’ll be able to enjoy the wildflowers in Manning Park, seasonal fruit (like cherries), the warm weather and avoid the summer chaos. Make sure you check the roads before you leave for any wildfires or road closures.

Where to Go First: Kelowna vs Osoyoos

If you have time for a full Okanagan road trip, you can spend 3 days in Kelowna and visit Osoyoos on the same trip. But if you only have a few days, choosing between the two really comes down to what kind of trip you’re after.

Kelowna is the biggest city in the Okanagan region, with a wider range of restaurants and things to do. Osoyoos, on the other hand, is smaller, quieter and more laid-back.

The good news is you don’t really have to choose. The two towns sit at opposite ends of the Okanagan Valley and can be combined into a loop road trip from Vancouver. I’ve put together a full loop itinerary to the Okanagan further down in this post if you want to see more details.

How to Get to Osoyoos

From Vancouver the best way to get to Osoyoos is by car following Highway 1 to Hope then Highway 3 through Manning Park to Osoyoos. Since the drive is about 400 km and 5 hours long without stops, I’d recommend leaving early.

In the past, Greyhound used to offer bus connections to Osoyoos but that’s no longer true. If you want to visit the Okanagan without a car, another option is to join an organized tour.

The Main Stops between Vancouver and Osoyoos

The drive from Vancouver to Osoyoos is not one to rush. I much prefer Highway 3 to the Coquihalla Highway to Kelowna. In fact, I’ll go as far as saying it’s one of the most scenic routes in BC. So take your time, enjoy the views and make some stops along the way.

Below I’ve included my favorite stops broken down by section to help you plan the drive.

The first leg of this Okanagan road trip drives through the Fraser Valley to Hope. My favourite stops on this stretch are Bridal Veil Falls, an easy 20-minute walk from the parking lot, and some of the hiking trails near Chilliwack. Hope is a natural spot to fuel up and grab a coffee before turning onto Highway 3.

If you have some time, stop for a coffee at Cedar & Moss Coffee.

If you’re in a rush, plan a separate trip to visit the Fraser Valley area more thoroughly:

• Flora Peak hike near Chilliwack lake
• Mount MacFarlane is a hard hike but with stunning mountaintop views
• Cheam Peak is one of my favorite fall hikes near Vancouver but requires a 4×4 vehicle to reach the trailhead

Although it’s a bit of a detour, Othello Tunnels is worth a stop. These are also the same stops as for the Vancouver to Kelowna road trip.

From Hope you’ll continue on Highway 3 towards Manning Provincial Park. As you climb into the Cascades you’ll start gaining elevation. Don’t be surprised to find snow on the ground even in May.

The main stop on this stretch is Manning Provincial Park, about 65 km from Hope. Lightning Lake is an easy stop. If you’re visiting in fall and have time for a longer hike, Frosty Mountain is one of the best in the park, which is famous for its larch trees turning golden in late September and October.

From Manning Park the road descends and follows the Similkameen River. As this stretch of road gets windier, the scenery changes to a rockier canyon terrain.

Princeton is your next stop, about 75 km from Manning. It’s a small ranching town and a practical place to fill up on fuel or grab lunch at Thomasina’s before the final stretch to Osoyoos.

The final stretch of this South Okanagan road trip is where the landscape really transforms. The terrain gets drier, the hills turn golden and by the time you reach Keremeos you’re officially in desert country. Stop at one of the roadside fruit stands as the Similkameen Valley is one of the best fruit growing regions in BC.

From Keremeos continue south until you reach Spotted Lake. It’s a natural landmark where mineral-rich waters form distinct coloured circles that are best seen in the summer months.

The moment Osoyoos Lake comes into view, you’ll officially be at your final destination.

Where to Stay: Osoyoos or Oliver

Osoyoos is the larger of the two towns and a more popular base compared to Oliver. You’ll have more accommodation options, more restaurants and shops to choose from. Osoyoos also sits right on the lake, so if waterfront views are a priority, you’ll find many hotels that offer it.

Oliver is smaller and quieter, surrounded by vineyards all around. Staying in Oliver puts you right in the heart of wine country and makes reaching the wineries a lot easier.

Since we planned this South Okanagan road trip primarily for the wine, Oliver was the natural choice for us.

Day Trip to Oliver from Osoyoos

If you decided to stay in Osoyoos, Oliver is just 20 minutes north on Highway 97. The drive is very easy to follow and scenic as well. The stretch of road between the two towns is known as the Golden Mile and is lined with some of the best wineries in the province. There’s a reason Oliver goes by the Wine Capital of Canada.

If you’re doing a day trip to Oliver from Osoyoos, spend the morning doing some wine tasting, stop for lunch at Miradoro restaurant at Tinhorn Creek, then continue to a few more wineries in the afternoon. Personally I’d recommend keeping it to three wineries maximum. It’s tempting to pack more in but you’ll enjoy each stop a lot more if you’re not rushing.

To visit the wineries in Oliver the most popular way is to book a wine tour. We preferred an “at-our-pace experience” and cycled to the wineries instead.

Best Things to Do in Osoyoos in 3 Days

Anarchist Mountain Lookout is well-worth the 10 minute drive from Osoyoos. From here you can enjoy one of the best views in the Okanagan over Osoyoos Lake and the valley itself.

There is a small pull-off area along Highway 3, which often gets crowded. Make sure your vehicle doesn’t block the exit as this road is one-way only.

The Osoyoos Oxbows is a flat and easy trail just outside of Osoyoos. If you’re looking to balance out the wine tastings with some exercise, this walk is a great idea.

It’s also a very popular spot for birdwatching in the Okanagan Valley. But bugs love this wetland area as well. So bring bug spray with you, especially in early summer.

The Pioneer Walkway is a flat lakeside path located along Osoyoos Lake in the heart of town. While you walk alongside it, look out for the plaques dotted along the way that tell the story of Osoyoos’ settlers.

If you want to add a scenic trail with panoramic views to your south Okanagan itinerary, Mount Kobau offers exactly this. The drive up to the trailhead is on a gravel forest service road, but it’s manageable in a regular vehicle.

If you have at least half a day, Mount Kobau won’t disappoint. This area is also one of the best stargazing spots in BC, especially if you visit in August.

Osoyoos Lake is the warmest lake in Canada, which explains why people travel from Vancouver every summer here. Even if swimming isn’t for you, relaxing by the beach with the lake views is still worth it.

If you stop at Tinhorn Creek for lunch or a wine tasting, make sure you do the Golden Mile Stamp Mill trail afterwards. The trail offers some great views over Oliver wine country and provides a bit of history along the way as well. You’ll also come across the ruins of an old gold stamp mill.

The Indian Grove Riding Stables offers guided trail rides through the wineries and surrounding Okanagan hills. For a different perspective of Osoyoos and Oliver, this is a great option of discovering the area.

The road stretch between Keremeos and Osoyoos is the best to find the fresh fruit in the Okanagan valley. Depending on the season, you can find peaches, cherries, apricots and more just off the roadside stands.

A winery visit in the Okanagan is the main reason people visit the region. The stretch between Osoyoos and Oliver is where the best wine in BC is produced. You’ll come across established wineries but don’t skip the small ones, as they might surprise you.

Best Wineries in Osoyoos

In Osoyoos you can find the first Indigenous-owned winery in North America. Nk’Mip Cellars is known for its Syrah and Meritage blends, as well as views over Osoyoos Lake.

Some additional wineries close to Osoyoos are LaStella Winery, Silver Sage Winery and Lariana Cellars.

Best Wineries in Oliver

Oliver is the wine capital of Canada for a reason. There are so many wineries scattered in the valley that a weekend in the Okanagan won’t be enough to explore them all.

I would recommend joining a wine tour or picking 3 wineries at most to visit in a day. My personal selection is Tinhorn Creek, Road 13 Vineyards and Black Hills Estate Winery.

For those that prefer an alternative to wines, you can also check out Orchard Hill Estate Cidery for great ciders, Backroads Brewing for craft beer or Tumbleweed distillery for local spirits.

Roberto’s is a must-do stop in Osoyoos. Here you can find seasonal flavours ranging from peach to apricot gelato. As you might have imagined, it usually has a line most of the time on hot summer days.

Although there are many great events in Osoyoos, the Half Corked Marathon is one of the best in the Okanagan wine region. This 13 km run through the vineyards of Oliver and Osoyoos is more about food and wine than a great running pace. It takes place at the end of May, so mark your calendars.

If you’re visiting Okanagan in October, the Festival of the Grape is one of the greatest celebration of harvest in south Okanagan. Not only is this one of the best reasons to visit in the fall, but you can also explore more local wineries and enjoy live music outdoors.

If you want the option to choose between wineries, a brewery, a distillery and a restaurant at the same place, then District Wine Village is for you. Located north of Oliver, the village is organized around a central amphitheatre.

If you don’t want to drive between wineries and want to sample local wines, you can also use the shuttle service.

3 Day Okanagan Road Trip from Vancouver

A three day itinerary to South Okanagan is a great way to explore the local wineries and enjoy some relaxation in Canada’s only desert. You can also decide to continue the road trip to Kelowna and return back to Vancouver completing the loop.

Leave Vancouver early in the morning to avoid traffic on Highway 1. Continue to Hope or stop along the way for a coffee at Cedar & Moss Coffee or a walk to Bridal Veil Falls before turning on Highway 3.

Continue to Manning Provincial Park and stop here at Lighting Lake or Cascade Lookout to enjoy the views.

Continue the windy road to Princeton and stop at Thomasina’s for lunch. I really liked their sandwiches and panini. You can also stop at Bromley Rock Provincial Park just outside of Princeton.

Continue to Keremeos and stop at the roadside stands to try out local fruit.

Another great stop is Spotted Lake, which you can admire from the main road. Shortly after you’ll reach Osoyoos.

Depending on when you arrive, you can stop for a snack at Gino’s or continue to Anarchist Mountain Lookout (10 min drive) for amazing views of Osoyoos, the lake and the valley.

Spend the second day in Okanagan visiting the local wineries and taking in the scenery. You can either book a tour or choose to cycle to the each winery. We brought our bikes from Vancouver and loved cycling around the wineries in Oliver throughout the day.

Stop at Tinhorn Creek and Miradoro Restaurant for lunch before continuing to Road 13. Finish up the day with a visit to District Wine Village.

If you’re staying in Oliver, grab a coffee at the Ditch Cafe before driving to Osoyoos. You can decide on whether to hike Osoyoos Oxbows trail or Kobau trail. While the first one is in the valley, to reach Kobau trailhead you need to drive up the gravel road. You’ll need to put aside about half a day if you decide to hike this trail.

Make your way back to Vancouver along Highway 3 and stop along the way at the places you skipped on the way in.

Okanagan Road Trip Loop: Vancouver, Osoyoos, Kelowna

You can combine a road trip to Osoyoos with the road trip from Vancouver to Kelowna. This will allow you to do an Okanagan loop stopping along some amazing vineyards, explore the Okanagan Valley desert, as well as swim in the Okanagan or Osoyoos Lake.

If you like the idea of a loop of the Okanagan region, then set aside at least 5 days or 7 days for a more relaxed stay.

Share on Facebook

Subscribe

Save