Surrounded by mountains, lakes and beautiful scenery in the sunny Okanagan Valley, Lake Country is a municipality comprised of four communities; Winfield, Okanagan Centre, Oyama, and Carr's Landing, all located on the benches above Okanagan Lake and Wood Lake. Lake Country is located in the Okanagan Valley in the southern interior of British Columbia, between the cities of Vernon (18 miles/29km) and Kelowna (16 miles/25km). Access is via Highway 97, which runs from Osoyoos on the Canada/United States border to Vernon and beyond to Kamloops.
The Lake Country area offers much to see and do, and has a large agricultural base, with abundant fruit orchards, some of which have been in existence since the early 1900s. Lake Country calls itself the Apple Capital of Canada, producing over 35% of all apples grown in Canada. Grape growing for wine making is another important agricultural activity (Lake Country includes both Gray Monk Estate Winery and Arrowleaf Cellars). The warm, dry climate of the Okanagan valley provides great recreational opportunities, including fishing, hiking, sailing, swimming, paddling and all water-borne activities.
First Nations people called the Lake Country area K'lakokum, meaning the "the land between". Lake Country enjoys a rich culture and history. Pioneers of the area established orcharding, ranching, logging, irrigation, and lake travel. The settlers built their homes and made a way of life for themselves in this fertile area. Orchards, agriculture and ranching are still a huge part of the area's way of life, as evidenced on any drive through Lake Country.
Okanagan Centre was once a city but is now a residential community that lines Okanagan Lake, offering a convenient boat launch. The Lake Country Museum in Okanagan Centre displays over 3,000 artifacts depicting the history and heritage of the local community, commencing with the early settlement days. On display is an old fire engine from the Winfield Fire Department, plus farm machinery and tools, organs, phonographs, cameras, and much more. The museum is situated in Okanagan Centre Park, near the lake, and is open mid-May to September, Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm. Admission is free.
Oyama has strong agricultural roots and is nestled between Wood Lake to the south and Kalamalka Lake to the north. This community of over 1,000 on the eastern side of highway 97 is named after a Japanese field marshal, Prince Iwao Oyama (1842-1916), who fought in the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905. Golfers can tee off at the 18-hole Predator Ridge Golf Course, 9 km north of Oyama. Kalamalka Lake Viewpoint, 8 km north of Oyama, provides great views of Kalamalka Lake and the Coldstream Valley. Gatzke's Farm Market is one of the most popular agricultural attractions in Lake Country complete with tours, a licensed restaurant, market and concession, and a display of old agricultural implements.
Located along Okanagan Lake, Carrs Landing is named after pioneer Andy Carr. This rural community provides a spectacular view of Okanagan Lake and the surrounding orchards, and is home to Gibson House in Kopje Regional Park, a 1912 heritage home now housing a museum.
The annual Lake Country Artwalk at the Lake Country Community Complex in Winfield in mid-September is a unique two-day art event featuring art exhibits, food vendors, musical entertainment, audiovisual displays and a live theatrical performance in the Creekside Theatre. This display of works by valley artists attracts over 5,000 visitors annually. A sculpture walk, which meanders through Winfield, offers up fine sculpture from some of the finest artists in the Okanagan.
Includes: Communities Kelowna, Lake Country/Winfield, a cultural district, sculpture walkway, Boutique Shopping, Hotels, Heritage Features, Agritourism Attractions, Wineries, Museums, Art Galleries and Performance Venues, Art Studios.
