Discover Summerland: Trails, history and Okanagan Lake

There are many ways to discover Summerland: hiking trails wind through forests and along Aeneas Creek, while others follow the shore of Okanagan Lake. You’ll also find historical details throughout town, gardens with a distinctive agricultural history, and a ride on a steam train. You can shape your days around outdoor activities, nature and cultural discoveries.

Trails through the landscape and local history

Giant’s Head Mountain Park covers 87 hectares and has historical, ecological and recreational significance in the District of Summerland, British Columbia. Its network of hiking trails offers views of Okanagan Lake and the surrounding agricultural and natural landscapes. If you enjoy taking in the scenery as you hike, this park offers a different experience from a trail focused mainly on local history.

The Summerland section of the Trans Canada Trail runs for 61 kilometres between Summerland and Osprey Lake. It is open to hikers, cyclists and horseback riders; some sections are suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. This information can help you choose a route based on how you want to get around. Suitability applies specifically to some sections, not the entire trail.

Shorter and more focused on Summerland’s past, the 4.5-kilometre Summerland Centennial Trail runs along Aeneas Creek through a deciduous forest. Interpretive signs tell the story of Summerland’s first clinic and original town centre. If you want to spend time outdoors while learning about the town’s history, this trail brings both interests together.

The Summerland Rotary Trail Lakeshore Loop is 6 kilometres long. It starts at Peach Orchard Beach Park and follows the shore of Okanagan Lake to Crescent Beach. Its lakeside route sets it apart from trails through the forest or Giant’s Head Mountain Park. The distance is a useful guide when choosing outings for your stay.

Gardens, history and activities for children

The Summerland Ornamental Gardens were originally part of the Dominion Experimental Farm, established in 1914 to demonstrate successful farming and horticultural methods for the dry Okanagan climate. Today, workshops on xeriscape gardening and demonstration gardens offer insights into ornamental horticulture and efficient water use. Plant lovers can also explore how gardens can be adapted to a dry climate.

At Peach Orchard Beach Park, Spirit Square features a large covered pavilion with a performance area, as well as six interpretive historical panels. The panels connect the site to Summerland’s history, while the pavilion and performance area shape the space. For families with children of different ages, the playground at Peach Orchard Beach offers specific attractions: it officially opened and includes a treehouse for children aged 5 to 12 and a junior sandcastle-shaped play structure for children aged 2 to 12. Other features include a zipline, musical instruments, sensory panels, and a variety of climbing, sliding and balancing equipment.

The Summerland Museum offers a one-hour self-guided walking tour of downtown. It’s a way to combine a walk with a look into Summerland’s history. The Kettle Valley Steam Railway offers a different perspective on the region’s past: its 90-minute ride follows the only surviving section of the historic Kettle Valley Railway, built between 1910 and 1915. Restored steam locomotive No. 3716 travels through Prairie Valley to the Trout Creek Bridge. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of Okanagan Lake and the canyon below.

When choosing a vacation rental or holiday home in Summerland, the experiences you prefer can help guide your decision: perhaps lakeside trails, scenic hikes, gardening or local history are what appeal most. Consider which aspects of the area interest you most during your stay, and use them to guide your search for a suitable location.

More destinations

You can also add Princeton, Keremeos, Tulameen, Manning Park, Oliver, Cawston, Osoyoos and Kaleden to your travel plans.

For the broader travel guide, see Okanagan-Similkameen.