Around Idabel Lake there is abundant wildlife: deer, moose, coyotes, beavers & otters. A family of loons live on the lake & their haunting calls echo through the air.

View a 360° panoramic winter
virtual tour of Idabel Lake

 

Haynes Lake is the first lake that visitors will encounter along the trails. Haynes Lake is larger than Idabel Lake & has similar fish, but it is not a swimming lake. Haynes Lake is attached to Minnow Lake by a narrow channel.

Minnow Lake is fed by the spring run off from McCulloch / Hydraulic Lake. McCulloch Lake was named after the famous Kettle Valley Railway engineer Andrew McCulloch. The lake has many arms & forms part of the Kelowna Irrigation system that helps supply Kelowna with water. The Kettle Valley Railway (K.V.R) runs parallel to the lake & one of the old railway stations was located here. The hiking & biking trails follow the other lakes, past the provincial campgound to McCulloch Lake & the K.V.R.

Big White Ski Area is a must in the winter. The down-hill skiing is thought to be the best in the Okanagan Valley. Additional amenities include snowmobile tours, a tube park, ice rink, cross-country ski trails, and fine dining restaurants.

Beaverdell & the Kettle River are very close by. Beaverdell is just over half an hour's drive away, & our resort is actually equidistant between Kelowna & Beaverdell. It is a quaint mining / frontier town & if you enjoy local history, the Beaverdell Hotel hasn't changed in one hundred years. The Kettle River offers some exciting white water canoeing.

McCulloch Road offers spectacular scenery & is a must if you are not in a hurry. Deer can typically be found grazing through the trees & there are many pretty wild flowers in the Spring & early Summer. The road is very windy, at times with a sheer drop. There is a natural spring, located on the right with wonderful water, that according to the local natives has mystical powers. Panoramic views of Kelowna can be seen on the other side of the valley, as you descend to the bottom of Gallagher's Canyon.

Kelowna is a beautiful city with many exciting attractions. There are several lovely wineries to visit, some favourites are: Calona Wines, Grey Monk, Mission Ridge & Summerhill Winery. If golf is a preferred past-time, then Gallaghers Canyon is the perfect destination. City Park in Kelowna is situated on Okanagan Lake & has sandy beaches, grassy fields & a children's free water park. The paddle steam boat The Fintry Queen offers daily excursions up Okanagan Lake & nightly dining. You can also visit Father Pandosy's Mission.