KELOWNA: Westside Road Lakeside Scenery to VERNON just before Bradley Creek wildfire - Aug 1 2026

Westside Road winds along the western shore of Okanagan Lake, connecting Kelowna to Vernon through steep cliffs, forested slopes, and quiet bays. Its story stretches back thousands of years, carrying the footsteps and canoe routes of the Syilx/Okanagan people long before it became a roadway. Travelling Westside Road today is a journey through both history and scenery. In summer (except wildfires), drivers can pause at Bear Creek Provincial Park for lakeside camping and swimming, or hike the canyon trail for sweeping views. In fall, the drive glows with golden colours, especially near Fintry Estate and Provincial Park, where visitors can tour a heritage manor house and climb to waterfalls above the lake. Winter quiets the route, offering crisp vistas and wildlife sightings, while spring brings wildflowers along roadside slopes. Westside Road is more than a road between Kelowna and Vernon; it’s a living thread of connection, from Syilx travel ways and fur brigade trails to modern-day road trips. Each curve carries the memory of the people who travelled before, and each stop offers a chance to experience the layered stories of the Okanagan Valley. Westside Road is closed and burned out near Vernon due to Bradley Creek wildfire ravaging / destroying more than 200 homes, leaving a path of devastation. Explore British Columbia Canada on August 1 2026 - Lakeside Scenery.