Wondering where to camp near breweries in the South Okanagan? Natalie Gates ventures beyond the Penticton Ale Trail to Osoyoos and Oliver for a BC camping and craft beer adventure.
Breweries inside:
- Abandoned Rail Brewing, Penticton
- Backroads Brewing, Osoyoos
- Firehall Brewery, Oliver
Heading South for Summer Solstice
In celebration of the longest day of the year, my husband, Colby, and I headed south from our home in Kelowna for a camping and craft beer getaway. The last camping blog I did for the BC Ale Trail was in one of the province’s wettest regions, Tofino, so it’s only fitting I went to the driest for this one. We’re tender, coastal folk, you see. We both spent most of our lives in the temperate rainforests of Squamish and Vancouver Island. Now that we’re living in Kelowna, I’m still fascinated by the rolling hills of sagebrush, the endless vineyards, and the drier climate.
Farm Views en route at Abandoned Rail
No trip from Kelowna to Osoyoos and Oliver is complete without a stop at one of Penticton’s many breweries. We chose the picturesque Abandoned Rail Brewing on the Naramata bench. German-certified brewing techniques, authentic pretzels, and farm views make this a perfect break on your way down south. If you’ve got your pup with you, you’re in luck as the picnic table seating is dog-friendly. We don’t have a dog, but we got to pretend.
Camping in Okanagan Falls
After that hard work was complete, we continued on to our campsite in Okanagan Falls, which is a small community on the southern tip of Skaha Lake. We opted for sx̌ʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ Park, a small provincial park right beside the river that connects Skaha Lake and Vaseux Lake. While not all of the sites are extremely private (some are), there’s good tree cover, and it’s nice and quiet. There are also flush toilets (yay!). All in all, it’s a solid, peaceful home base for exploring the southern Okanagan.
Our site was right by the river, so we got to soak up that soothing sound while practicing our amateur bird-watching skills. We even made friends with a bird that had built her nest right above us. We never figured out what species it was, though (we’re amateurs, remember).
For dinner, we grilled veg with burgers and chicken we picked up at T-Bones, an Okanagan staple. Paired with the Goldenauer Golden Ale from Abandoned Rail, it was an excellent start to the trip. If your sweet tooth is acting up after dinner, make sure you head to the iconic Tickleberry’s ice cream (only a 20-minute walk from the campground).
Other campgrounds to consider in Southern Okanagan
Check out Destination Osoyoos for a list of other campgrounds in the area. We were originally hoping to stay at Sẁiẁs Provincial Park (Haynes Point), which looks awesome, but we were late on the reservation draw. It’s on a peninsula that stretches into the lake, which would be stunning to wake up to.
Inkaneeep Park near Oliver also looks nice, especially if you’re a birder!
Destined for the Desert
After a camp breakfast (read: bacon), it was time to explore. We took the back road, Green Lake Road, into Oliver, which was gorgeous. Rolling hills, little lakes, bird sanctuaries, vineyards, and farms dot your journey. If you’ve got time, slow your pace and soak it all in. It would also be a lovely place to road bike—we saw a couple of groups doing just that.
After fueling up with a second coffee at The Ditch Cafe in downtown Oliver, we had to get back to business. We needed something outdoorsy to work up our beer appetite. One of the lovely people working at Abandoned Rail had suggested Peach Cliff, which offers lake and valley views. But… I only brought Birkenstocks and we were getting a little late to beat the heat this time.
So we opted for something less uphill and ended up in the beautiful Osoyoos Desert Centre. Mineral sunscreen lathered, film cameras ready, and bucket hats donned, I don’t think we’ve ever looked like bigger tourists. These coastal kids don’t mess around with sun safety though.
The centre teaches you all about the rare, biodiverse ecosystem of the Osoyoos desert. You can join a guided tour or do a self-guided one ($10 either way). I found it fascinating to learn about the flora and fauna because they’re truly unique from other parts of the province. Colby and I agreed we’d want to come back for one of their evening tours, which is when more critters are active.
It was a pretty hot day, so by the end of it, we were seeing mirages of ice-cold beer. After hydrating with water, it was high time for the real reason we were in the area…
Other walks to consider near Oliver and Osoyoos
- Peach Hill: We’ll definitely be back to do this one, which promises great views of the area.
- Rattlesnake Bite: This is another easy hike that offers moody views of the valley, complete with cacti along the trail. We actually did this one back in February, the first time I’d ever been to Oliver.
Backroads Brewing, Osoyoos
Believe me, I love wine country—especially this far south because I’m a big fan of bold reds. But nothing tastes quite as good after an afternoon in the desert heat as a cold, foaming glass of BC craft beer.
Change my mind.
Walking into Backroads Brewing, our mirage came true. The desert theme continued with burnt orange walls and cactus green ceilings, and we grabbed a flight for the patio which peeks over at Osoyoos Lake.
The brewery is originally from Nelson, so this is its second location. Each beer was crisp and refreshing, which was exactly what we were craving:
- Hippie Katcher Kolsch
- Star Party Super Dry Lager
- Barbe Rouge Pale Ale
- First Descent NW IPA
We also tried the El Dorado Golden Ale, which we both named our favourite. It’s no wonder it won third place in the 2017 BC Beer Awards and, with that tidbit of knowledge, we grabbed a few extra to enjoy back to camp. After wrapping up at Backroads, we migrated next door to the beach where we jumped in the lake to cool off even further. Then I almost stepped on a fish that looked big enough to eat my entire foot… and it was time to dry off.
Whether you’re coming pre-paddle board or apres swim, Backroads Brewing is there to support you through all of life’s ups and downs.
Cheers to Cherries
The Okanagan is, of course, famous for its orchards and fruit season in the summer. Sadly, it sounds like the Kelowna area won’t have much stone fruit this year, thanks to an intense cold snap back in January. So, making our way back to Oliver, I was particularly excited to see all the “Fresh Cherries” signs on the roads between our brewery stops. We pulled over and grabbed a bag of plump red cherries, perfect for camp snackin’.
Wine Stop… Because We Had To
Speaking of delicious, deep red fruit-based products…
We were here for the beer, but we had to sample some of the other stuff Oliver is famous for. You know, for research purposes. We pulled into Rust Winery and enjoyed a Tuscany-esque moment before getting back to work.
Firehall Brewery, Oliver
Ummm… 911? Is this the fire department? I think there’s an emergency.
The beer is too good and the vibes are too vibey.
Located in an old firehall, Firehall Brewery is clearly a go-to gathering space for both locals and visitors (I know I’d be hanging out here all the time if I lived in Oliver). There’s Firehall Bistro upstairs, but we hung out at the brewery downstairs, which is complete with a big ‘ol patio and a large but cozy tasting room.
The space does a great job of maintaining the firehall theme while working in fun little surprises that keep things extra interesting. Inside, the taproom is a cool nook that shelters you from the Okanagan heat. A stack of records piles around the stereo and a record player, complete with a pair of firefighter boots and a Nicholas Cage cutout (obviously).
There’s even a fire hydrant doggie water dispenser. All it’s missing is a Dalmatian!
We sat on their spacious patio and enjoyed a flight, cauliflower bites, and Greek salad because #health.
Here’s what we tried for beer
- Kick Axe Lager
- Backdraft Blonde
- False Alarm Bitter
- Stoked Ember Ale Extra Special Bitter
It was hard to pick a favourite from those, but the Lager and Blonde were top contenders. Balanced and beautiful, they were the perfect way to round out our camping and craft beer extravaganza in the desert.
If you have a minute, check out the Firehall’s backstory—it’s a good one. I also really appreciated their tagline, “Extinguish your thirst.”
Explore camping and craft beer in Osoyoos, Oliver, and South Okanagan
We bookended our trip with another stop in Penticton before one more night at camp. A Spanish dinner at the wonderful Chulo Tapas turned into strolling along Okanagan Lake, admiring the old muscle cars that were getting ready for the next day’s car show as the sun set. That’s one of the other great things about this part of the Okanagan. All of the communities are so close together, so you can easily set up camp and bounce between them, sipping all the delightful beverages and sampling all the great eats they each offer.
If there’s one thing Southern Okanagan does well, it’s keeping your tastebuds happy and a smile on your face. Rest assured, the BC Ale Trail will help you make the most of your trip no matter where your tent takes you.
Please enjoy responsibly – both the beer and Super, Natural British Columbia. We encourage you to know and follow the Camper’s Code. Have you taken the pledge yet?
