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Polson Park |
| At the heart of the city, alongside Vernon Creek, is everyone's favourite retreat, Polson Park - a peaceful, shady refuge from the bustle of nearby streets. Pack a hamper, collect the children and see how fresh air improves everyone's appetite! For the youngsters, there's a water park, ice cream vendor and a lively duck pond presiding over by our friendly lake serpent, Ogopogo. |
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Cools Pond |
| This charming pond is set in a rural neighbourhood. A viewing platform and interpretive signs describe the wildlife and plants to be seen. Local groups are developing a picnic and viewing park. |
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Peanut Pool |
| The Peanut Pool is located on 18th Street in the 3200 block, directly beside Lakeview Park. The Peanut Pool is great for young children and toddlers. The grassy area surrounding the pool has some large trees to provide shade on those hot days. Washrooms are available. |
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Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park |
 Virtually at the back door of the City of Vernon, this fine example of north Okanagan grassland is dotted with ponderosa pine and groves of Douglas-fir. The spring wildflower show is truly spectacular. The largely undeveloped park has an all season appeal to those interested in its natural setting. The sloping, paved trail which wanders down to the beautiful private beaches, is filled with informative signs that let you know about the flora and fauna along the trails; in winter, cross-country skiers enjoy the wild beauty here.
A variety of animals, bird-life and reptiles and plant-life reside in this mosaic of grassland communities. To date, 432 varieties of vascular plants have been identified in the park, a rare find in such a small area. This peaceful park is ideal for the study and appreciation of natural history, all year round. |
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Monashee Provincial Park |
This Provincial Park, situated northeast of Vernon, in the heart of the south-central Monashee Mountains was established in 1962. Follow Hwy 6, east of Vernon for 60km, through Lumby to Cherryville. Turn left on sugar Lake Road, and proceed for 48km until you reach the turnoff to the Park, travel another 3km to the parking lot. From here, a trial goes down to Rainbow Falls, which is also the original trailhead to Spectrum Lake (it is now used primarily as a trail to view old growth cedar forest). To reach the new trailhead, follow the road marked "alternate route" for 8km.
Situated in the interior cedar/hemlock biogeoclimatic zone, the Park protects substantial stands of old growth cedar, spruce, hemlock and may untouched watersheds. The park also features some of the oldest rock formations in Western Canada.
Essentially undeveloped, Monashee Provincial Park features lush forests of red cedar and fir in the valley troughs, with rolling alpine meadows higher up. The beautiful lakes, such as Peters Margie, and Spectrum are a fisherman's paradise, teeming with Rainbow Trout. The highest of the Park's many peaks is Mt. Fosthall, which overlooks the wilderness of thick green forests and lush ground cover.
Springtime transforms the high alpine meadows into a sea of wildflowers, rich with all the hues of the rainbow. Wildlife is abundant and varied with visitors regularly seeing deer, marmots, and bear. The higher elevations are home to the more elusive and endangered species including caribou, pika, mountain goats and grizzly bears.
Monashee Provincial Park terrain can be very steep and the going difficult, which appeals mainly to the experienced hiker, but also has many areas suited to the willing beginner. Some of the names given to the more difficult areas are: S.O.B. Gulch and Belly Up Canyon. The rewards of spectacular vistas, clean mountain air and sparkling lakes are well worth the effort. The Park boasts approximately 30km if well maintained trails, 10 wilderness campsites, 6 overnight shelters as well as a small-group site at Spectrum Lake. Day hikes can be made to the many campsites at the other lakes as well. |
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