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Summary

This sandy beach is on the shore of Canada's warmest lake and it's a road trip from Vancouver

Want a summer getaway?

Person by a lake. Right: A lake.

Someone on a beach in BC. Right: A BC Lake.

@brenerickson | Instagram, Irina274 | Dreamstime
Editor

If you want a summer getaway from Vancouver, this small town with warm waters and stunning views is the perfect answer. It's home to the warmest freshwater lake in Canada, with sandy shores set along the banks and a cute town to top it all off.

Surrounding the lake are rolling mountains, hillside vineyards, and breathtaking scenery. A summer trip here is full of boating, swimming, beach days, and sipping wine.

If that sounds like the ideal getaway to you, it's time for a road trip. The drive from Vancouver to Osoyoos is about four and a half hours long, but you're rewarded with one of the most unique getaway spots in the country.

The big draw to this specific town in the Okanagan Valley is the lake — which is known as "Canada's warmest fresh-water lake," with the water temperature averaging 24°C in July and August.

The lake is big, so you can take your pick of beaches along the shore to relax on and enjoy swimming from. Gyro Beach is the most popular one, and the biggest on the lake, though.

It's set at the bottom of Main Street, making it an easy go-to after a day exploring town. You can spend your morning checking out the local shops and coffee shops, before diving into the warm water at Gyro.

There's lots to do around Osoyoos after you spend some time at the lake. Wineries are scattered all around the region, and you can drive around visiting them, and the other cute small towns.

Spotted Lake is another must-see here in the summer, when it turns a mix of vibrant greens and blues.

Osoyoos is also home to Canada's only desert, and you can take a tour of the unique landscape at the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre.

So, pack up the car and hit the road, because summer in this little town awaits.

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

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    • Editor

      Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. After working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, she joined Narcity with a move to B.C., drawn to the beauty of Western Canada. Since then, she's documented her experience moving to Vancouver, covering everything from local events to bucket-list travel destinations across Canada's West Coast.

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