Lake Country

A community located in the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia, Lake Country is comprised of shimmering lakes, beaches and orchards that stretch for miles enticing visitors to come, relax and experience the sunny Okanagan Valley. Outdoor recreation is in abundance and as its name implies and is surrounded by lakes all offering endless opportunities for water activities. Trails for hiking and cycling, and in the winter mountains for skiing and other winter sports. The sunny climate produces excellent grapes and therefore wine tasting is obligatory at the various vineyards situated along the “Scenic Sip” route. And while in Lake Country grab some fresh fruit from one of the fruit stands or sample some home-made produce at the weekly Farmer’s Market.

Location

Lake Country is located in the Okanagan Valley in the southern interior of British Columbia, between the cities of Vernon (29 km / 18 mi) and Kelowna (25 km / 15 mi) on Hwy 97.

A Step Back in Time

The District of Lake Country is located near the centre of the Okanagan Valley and is made up of four distinct neighbourhood communities: Oyama, Winfield, Carr’s Landing, and Okanagan Centre.

Incorporated as a municipality in 1995, Lake Country has a long pioneer history. Prior to the Europeans arriving, First Nations people inhabited this area. Several locations indicate the existence of First Nations settlements dating back 7,000 to 8,000 years.

The Europeans arrived more than 100 years ago to ranch and work the abundant forests, make homes, and farm the rich lowlands and arable hillsides. Irrigation helped agriculture blossom in the early 1900s, supporting the local communities.

The once thriving fruit canneries on Okanagan Lake are gone today, as are the ferries that plied the lake for the first half of the 1900s. Yet you don’t have to look far to find lush green orchards, rolling vineyards, and farms growing everything from Macintosh apples to blueberries. Fruit packinghouses remain an important part of the local economy, and Lake Country maintains a strong sense of community, vitality, and a pioneering spirit.