Vernon

Vernon sits on a valley floor at 1250 feet (380 meters) between mountains, bordered by Okanagan, Kalamalka, and Swan lakes. The downtown streets follow a grid pattern among modest houses and older commercial buildings with low facades.

The settlement was first called Priest's Valley and was renamed Vernon in 1892 after Forbes George Vernon, who founded the nearby Coldstream Ranch in the 1860s. The area shifted from serving gold miners to becoming an agricultural center through the 20th century.

The ten-day winter carnival draws families from across the region each February with parades and competitions. The town functions as a year-round base for outdoor activities on the surrounding peaks and along the shoreline.

The three lakes lie within a short distance of downtown and offer access to trails and water activities. Highways 97, 97A, and 6 connect the area with other communities in the northern Okanagan Valley.

Kalamalka Lake shifts from cyan to indigo through the year as limestone crystals in the water react to temperature changes. The dry grassland on the east side of the lake supports rare plants usually found only in more southern regions.

Location: Regional District of North Okanagan

Location: British Columbia

Inception: December 30, 1892

Elevation above the sea: 380 m

Shares border with: Coldstream, Lake Country

Website: https://vernon.ca

GPS coordinates: 50.26700,-119.27200

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:17