Super Camping British Columbia
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Monck Provincial Park

The Last Leg: Kelowna, Merritt and Home to Port Moody, British Columbia – Circle Tour day 7 and 8

By PoMoDee

Day 7 of our circle tour looping up to Nakusp Hot Springs taking Highway 3 and then Highway 6 to Nakusp and Hwy 6 back to Vernon before running down Highway 5 to Merritt and home on the Trans Canada Hwy 1 to Port Moody.

On The Needles Ferry, Lower Arrow Lake
On The Needles Ferry, Lower Arrow Lake
Claybanks RV Park & Campground
Claybanks RV Park & Campground

The Needles cable ferry runs across the Lower Arrow Lake, about 59 kilometres south of Nakusp on Highway 6, between Fauquier (east side) and Needles (west side). Ferry capacity is 30 vehicles and 144 passengers. The ferry runs approximately every 30 minutes between 5 am and 10 pm. The crossing ride takes 5 minutes but there is some loading and offloading time.

The drive from the Needles Ferry to Coldstream is known for its tight curves and generally low traffic.  It’s about 135 kms from the ferry to Vernon. Along the way the scenery is beautiful. We avoided going to Vernon by taking the road along Kalamalka Lake, one of the ten most beautiful lakes in the world according to National Geographic.

We then exited onto Highway 97 at Coldstream and headed south to the bustling city of Kelowna and a visit with friends over dinner at Earls Restaurant.  After dinner we walked along the waterfront and took in the marina and music activities on the downtown lake front. A quick trip to the Lake City casino located at 1300 Water Street then we headed off at 8:00 pm for Merritt and a late check-in at Claybanks RV Park and Campground.

Gold Wing Surrey

The campground was full as it was Labour Day weekend and also the fact that they were hosting their annual weekend with the Surrey Goldwing Motorcycle Club’s camping reunion.  The bikers took us on a tour of their small tent trailers and invited us to participate in their dinner festivities.

On the final day – day 8, we took a side trip to the ever so popular Monck Provincial Park. The park was full of beautiful tall standing Jack Pines.  The sun was shining bright but the wind was blowing so we had a picnic in the park and did some sunbathing in a hollow we found in the middle of a field, out of the wind, able to sit and watch various outside sports being played like Frisbee, kite flying, football.  Around 4:00 pm we decided it was time to head home to Port Moody.

Monck Provincial Park
Monck Provincial Park

Follow Joss and Darlene’s Circle Tour.

Day 1 – Sunshine Valley Resort

Day 2 & 3 – Osoyoos here we come

Day 4 & 5 – On to Nakusp Hot Springs via Christina Lake

Day 6 & 7 – Relaxing at Nakusp Hot Springs

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Published: December 22, 2016
Last Updated: May 12, 2023

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About the Author

PoMoDee (Darlene) is a Social Media Manager at BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association. Managing Camping & RVing BC Coalition, Travelling in British Columbia and Camper’s Code. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Pinterest. Darlene was born and raised in British Columbia and resides in Port Moody. Darlene is an avid camper, who has been camping since the age of two and still enjoys the serene setting of a campsite. Interests include everything beach, crocheting, crafting. Photography and writing.