Desert camping in Okanagan Valley

Extending more than 170 kilometres (105 miles) from the US border north to the city of Vernon, the Okanagan Valley is Western Canada’s major wine-producing region, with more than 200 wineries amid the rolling hills. The Okanagan is also an agricultural area, where farmers’ markets and roadside stands sell peaches, corn, tomatoes, and more. You can swim or paddle the region’s lakes, including the 135-kilometer (84-mile) Okanagan Lake. Peak camping season runs from April through October in this dry, sunny region. Spring and fall are usually pleasant, and summers can be hot—the valley encompasses Canada’s largest desert. Winters are milder and drier than in other Canadian regions, although snow can fall December through February.