Bright fall leaves can be seen at Tranquille Creek, Kamloops, in this undated photo.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lynne Borle

Fall is in the air and the leaves are beginning to change colours across Kamloops and the Okanagan.

From local parks to favourite leafy drives, there are lots of places to go to view the changing foliage and enjoy the cool, crisp air, and here are just a few. 

KAMLOOPS

The Hike Kamloops website describes 17 different trails in and around the city that showcase the fall colours. In town is the McArthur Island Loop, Aviation Way, Tranquille River and Riverside Park. For those who want to go for a drive, McConnell Lake Loop and Isobel Lake are suggested, along with many other trails that also include waterfalls. For a complete list, check out the Hike Kamloops website. 

The drive from Heffley Creek to Sun Peaks also offers rich autumn colours as well as Westsyde Road starting past the McClure ferry which ends up on the far side of Barriere.

Hello BC recommends a stroll along Rivers Trail or a visit to the Secwepemc Heritage Park and Museum among others. 

Autumn leaves changing colours in McArthur Island Park, Kamloops.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Taylor Borth

VERNON

For those in the Vernon area, Hello BC recommends the Davison Orchards Country Village for a fall orchard and garden tour.

Vernon area parks are also a good bet for fall colour viewing, including Ellison Provincial Park, the Okanagan Rail trail from Coldstream to Kelowna, and Kalamalka Lake. Heaps of turning foliage can be viewed at the historic O’Keefe Ranch.

KELOWNA

There is no shortage of areas to enjoy the brightly changing leaves in and around Kelowna at local parks and hiking trails according to Tourism Kelowna.

There’s Mission Creek Greenway and Scenic Canyon Park, Angel Springs Trail, and Glen Canyon Regional Park trails, all offering scenic fall hikes in Kelowna and West Kelowna. Note some sections of the Mission Creek Greenway and Glen Canyon Regional Park were damaged by wildfire.

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It’s also a great time of year to take a trip up to the Myra Canyon trestles on the KVR rail trail, where wildlife and beautiful fall colours abound.

Beyond the city are orchards and wineries of East Kelowna, Fintry Provincial Park along Westside Road and you can't go wrong with the Gellatly Nut Farm in West Kelowna. You can simply take a nice long stroll through the many leafy trees at Kelowna City Park.

The leaves are just beginning to turn at Gellatly Nut Farm in West Kelowna.

Image Credit: Marshall Jones

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PENTICTON

Further south in Penticton and the South Okanagan, offtracktravel.ca suggests a hike up McIntyre Bluff will be rewarded with some great fall scenery, as will a trek up Giant’s Head Mountain in Summerland or the Naramata and Skaha Bench vineyards.

Closer to the city, check out the local parks for colourful autumn scenes. Don’t forget to stop at Hardy Falls in Peachland for a leafy walk along the creek.

Did we miss any perfect places for viewing the autumn leaves turning in your area? Please let others know in the comments below. 

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