Okanagan Lake is the one most people picture: big water, long summer evenings, and room for everything from paddleboards to wakeboats. Around Vernon, the lake has two arms and four distinct shorelines.
The Vernon shorelines at a glance
| Shoreline | Neighbourhoods | Jurisdiction | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| North shore of the Vernon Arm | Tronson Road and Bella Vista | City of Vernon | Waterfront estates on large lots, closest to downtown |
| Okanagan Landing | Okanagan Landing, Adventure Bay | City of Vernon | Vernon's lakeside village: homes, condos, marinas and parks |
| East shore south to Ellison Park | Eastside Road and the Outback | City of Vernon | Quieter, more rural lakeshore and a resort strata |
| West shore | Westside Road | Okanagan Indian Band leased land, then Central Okanagan Regional District | Leasehold communities, cabins, resort cottages; long drive |
Public beaches and boat launches near Vernon
- Paddlewheel Park, 7815 Okanagan Landing Road: beach and boat launch
- Kin Beach, 7248 Tronson Road
- Tronson Road boat launch, at Tronson Road and Beachcomber
- Ellison Provincial Park: beaches and trails, no launch
- Vernon Yacht Club in the Landing (moorage is by waitlist)
The swim areas at Paddlewheel Park and Kin Beach are closed to all boats, as marked by buoys and signs.
Okanagan Lake levels and flooding
The lake is regulated by the Province through the Okanagan Lake Regulation System, with the dam at Penticton. Full pool is 342.48 m (CGVD28), and the level normally moves about 1.2 metres through the year. In June 2017 the lake reached a record 343.25 m (CGVD28), flooding many shoreline properties.
Since then, Vernon has adopted newer floodplain mapping. On the City's map sheets, the lake-zone flood construction level is 344.6 m (344.3 m in the older CGVD28 datum), and properties within about 40 m of the shore can have higher levels because of waves. See the flood levels guide for what that means for a purchase or renovation.
Docks on Okanagan Lake
Okanagan Lake falls under the Province's Dock Design Criteria for Okanagan Large Lakes, which are stricter than the general BC dock rules: for example, the platform beyond the walkway is limited to 24 m². Parts of the shoreline are mapped as sensitive kokanee spawning zones, where docks are restricted or not allowed. Read the dock and moorage guide before you buy.
See Okanagan Lake waterfront near Vernon homes for saleHouses, townhomes and condos. Live MLS® listings, updated daily
Frequently asked questions
Is Okanagan Lake waterfront in Vernon on city water and sewer?
Most of Okanagan Landing is on Greater Vernon Water, but parts of the Landing are still on septic while the City extends sewer in phases. Westside Road properties vary: some have community water and sewer, others private water and septic. Always confirm for the specific address.
Can I build a dock on any Okanagan Lake property?
Not automatically. A dock has to meet provincial rules, and in mapped "Black Zone" kokanee spawning areas no new docks are allowed. Check the property's foreshore zone on the Province's iMapBC before you buy.
How high did Okanagan Lake get in 2017?
It reached a record 343.25 m (CGVD28) in June 2017, about 0.8 m above full pool.
Sources: City of Vernon beaches, BC Okanagan Lake Regulation System factsheet, OBWB Okanagan Mainstem Floodplain Mapping (2020), Dock Design Criteria for Okanagan Large Lakes, Transport Canada VORR schedules.