Salamanders, raptors, and herons—oh, my!
Vernon, B.C., is home to a handful of family-friendly wildlife activities
Vernon, British Columbia, is an established, small town haven with urban amenities in the North Okanagan. Four geographical plains meet in Vernon, which allows for entirely different habitats and animals to coexist in close proximity. The land shifts from wetlands, to grasslands, to Douglas-fir or ponderosa pine forests. The three lakes that change from teal to indigo make summertime in Vernon something that can’t be missed.
“We have a little bit of everything for everyone, and everything is within 20 minutes driving,” said Ange Chew, tourism manager for the City of Vernon. Given the geographical layout of the North Okanagan, Vernon often acts as a base camp for travellers while they day-trip around the area. “Basically, you use Vernon as your central spot to explore the North Okanagan,” she said.
Outdoor sports like hiking and mountain biking as well as boating, swimming and fishing are popular choices for both locals and visitors. The hiking trails are scattered with popular birdwatching lookout points, and the lakes are full of fish.
Allan Brooks Nature Centre
Those travelling with young ones need to schedule a trip to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre. Fun and informative, the Nature Centre is a repurposed weather station located just south of Vernon. Indoor and outdoor classrooms and interactive displays, an art studio, picnic areas and gardens will keep the kids busy all day long. It’s the perfect day trip if you want to see all of the North Okanagan in a single place.
“All of the habitat there is about nature and the four geographical plains that make up Vernon,” Chew said. The habitat room mimics the ecosystems of the Okanagan—animals and all. The learning pond mirrors the nearby wetlands. “You can look at the salamander pond, and there are marmots on the property,” said Chew. There’s a real beehive to look at as well as a collection of other animals native to the North Okanagan.
The best feature of the Nature Centre is the lookout point. “It has an 800-metre walkabout, so it has the best views of Vernon from there,” said Chew. Visitors look down on Vernon, taking in the beautiful landscape that surrounds the old town. “You can see all three lakes from up there!”
“For one week during the summer, they have the raptor show,” said Chew. Since Vernon is home to 33 species of raptors—owls included—it’s only appropriate that they have a week-long raptor exhibit at the Nature Centre. The rest of the year visitors can spot raptors using the nests they’ve built around the Nature Centre.
Hiking and birdwatching
For visitors looking to combine their wildlife viewing with exercise, there are plenty of hiking trails around Vernon dotted with peaceful spots to watch for birds and other animals. Pack your binoculars!
“It’s some of the best birdwatching in B.C.,” said Chew.
Swan Lake is a great choice for hikers looking for wildlife. Informative signage lines the trail with details of the birds that fly throughout the area. A bird blind is set up where the creek meets Swan Lake, so hikers can observe the birds in the lake and marshland without disturbing them.
Raptors hunt in the rich habitat of Swan Lake where small mammals, amphibians and reptiles make their home. Great blue herons can be spotted from viewpoints around the area. “You can go and see the nests,” Chew said. “They still come back every year.”
It’s not just the summer months that are fun in Vernon. “The Okanagan is also wonderful in the spring and the fall,” Chew said. “Vernon actually has the four proper seasons.”
The town of Vernon itself is welcoming of RV campers. RV parking is available near shops and restaurants, and a few sani-stations are scattered throughout town. Vernon has a few RV campgrounds, but they book up quite fast.
