Recreation
Best Swimming Holes in Kelowna
Kelowna Team
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Summary
The best natural swimming holes, creek pools, and deep water lake jumps in Kelowna, for when you're sick of fighting for towel space at City Park.
In this article:
The best swimming holes around Kelowna are the ones the City Park crowd never finds: Paul's Tomb, Canyon Falls, Bear Creek, and the rock ledges at Kalamoir. This guide covers ten creek pools, waterfalls and deep-water lake spots, with how to get to each and what to watch for.
Creek spots are only safe once spring runoff has passed, usually from mid-July. Before any jump, swim down and check the depth.
Paul's Tomb
Knox Mountain Park (Downtown side)
Price: Free
Best for deep, clear lake water without a boat. Paul's Tomb is in Knox Mountain Park, about 2.5 kilometres along a flat, wide trail from the main Knox Mountain parking lot at the end of Ellis Street. Rock cliffs drop straight into cold water; goggles are useful.
Jump only from the lower rocks. People break bones on the high cliffs every summer. For a harder hike on the way in, take the Apex trail over the mountain instead of the lower path.
The catch: The trail is fully exposed to the sun, and the walk out is hard in mid-July. Go before 10 AM or in the evening.
Canyon Falls
Canyon Falls Court (Crawford)
Price: Free
Best for a cold plunge pool under a waterfall. Canyon Falls, still called Crawford Falls by locals, is in the Crawford neighbourhood high above the Mission. Drive up Gordon Drive until it becomes Crawford Road, then follow the residential streets to the trailhead.
The trail into the canyon is extremely steep. It reaches the upper falls first. The lower falls require lowering yourself down a dirt bank on old ropes tied to trees. The pool beneath the falls is very cold, a relief on a 35-degree day.
The catch: Parking is limited. Vehicles blocking driveways on Canyon Falls Court are ticketed and towed. The climb back up the dirt bank is hard on the knees.
Bear Creek Falls
Bear Creek Provincial Park (Westside Road)
Price: Free for the trail parking
Best for natural rock pools away from the crowds. Skip the main campground beach across the street, which is usually full of tourists. Drive up Westside Road, park on the west side of the highway and take the Bear Creek Canyon loop in Bear Creek Provincial Park. The trail is steep and hot.
About halfway up the canyon, rough dirt paths lead down to pools the creek has carved into the rock. The water is ice cold, and the sun-warmed rocks beside it are good for drying off.
The catch: The creek rocks are very slippery. Flip-flops are unsafe on the steep paths. Wear running shoes and change into sandals at the water.
Mill Creek Regional Park
Spencer Road (Ellison)
Price: Free
The closest natural creek dip for Rutland and Glenmore residents. Drive past the airport and turn off Highway 97 onto Spencer Road. A flat trail shaded by large trees leads to a small waterfall and a shallow pool.
The pool is waist-deep, not for swimming laps. It's a cool place to sit out a hot, smoky summer day.
The catch: In May, spring runoff makes the creek fast and dangerous. Late July and August are the only times it's calm enough for a dip.
Fintry Falls
Fintry Provincial Park (Westside Road)
Price: Day-use is free
Best for deep, clear pools and quiet. Fintry Falls is on Shorts Creek in Fintry Provincial Park, 40 minutes north on Westside Road past La Casa. Park in the day-use lot and climb roughly 400 wooden stairs toward the falls.
Just before the main viewing platform, rough trails lead down to the creek. The pools are deep and clear, the waterfall mist keeps the area cool, and it's much quieter than spots near town.
The catch: It's a long drive for a swim. Combine it with a full day trip and a look at the old barns. The stairs are a real workout.
Kalamoir Rock Ledges
Kalamoir Regional Park (West Kelowna)
Price: Free
Best for jumping into deep water from flat rock, with no sand. Instead of the main beaches in Kelowna, cross the bridge to Kalamoir Regional Park and walk south along the waterfront trail from the main parking lot to a series of flat rock ledges on the lake.
The park sits below the vineyards, close enough for a swim after a wine tasting at Quails' Gate. A June 16, 2026 wildfire closed Kalamoir; the RDCO reopened the southern portion from the Collens Hill Road entrance on July 3, 2026, while the northern section toward Casa Loma stayed closed for hazard work. Check RDCO's regional parks news for current access before you go.
The catch: The parking lot is tiny and fills fast. Collens Hill Road is very steep, and turning a large truck at the bottom is difficult.
Scenic Canyon
Field Road (East Kelowna)
Price: Free
Best for shaded creek pools deep enough to fully submerge. Mission Creek runs through town, but on the valley flats it's murky and shallow. In East Kelowna near Layer Cake Mountain, park at the Field Road entrance and take the Greenway trail.
Several bends in the creek form pools deep enough to go fully under. The trail is fully shaded and feels far from the city.
The catch: The narrow trail is shared with aggressive mountain bikers; stay alert. Water levels drop sharply by late August, leaving shallow puddles. July is the best month.
Bertram Creek Rocks
Bertram Creek Regional Park (Lakeshore Road)
Price: Free
Best for floating on a tube in calmer, cleaner water. Drive south past the busy Mission beaches, well past Cedar Creek. Bertram Creek Regional Park has a large grass area, but the best swimming is off the rocky points at the south end, where the water drops off quickly.
The water is much cleaner than downtown, and boat traffic is lighter, so wakeboat waves are less of a problem.
The catch: The shoreline is mostly large rocks. Bring water shoes or sandals with thick straps.
Cedar Creek Deep Water
Cedar Creek Park (Lakeshore Road)
Price: Free
Best for privacy and deep, cold water. Cedar Creek Park is officially a dog beach, but people use it just as much. Skip the main gravel entry, where dogs play fetch, and walk south along the shore to large boulders that jut into the lake.
The sunset views across the lake are good, and it's an easy place to launch a paddleboard without competing for dock space.
The catch: It's a dog beach. Expect loose dogs and wet fur near your towel.
Traders Cove
Traders Cove Regional Park (Westside Road)
Price: Free
Best for two quiet, clear-water coves. Traders Cove Regional Park is on Westside Road, about 15 minutes past the bridge. Pull into the Traders Cove residential area and take the steep wooden stairs down to the water, where the shore splits into two coves.
The water is very clear. Locals bring floaties, tie up to the rocks and drink a few beers, and the highway noise above doesn't reach the shore.
The catch: The climb back up the stairs is hard in summer heat. There are no washrooms or garbage cans. Pack out all trash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there leeches in Okanagan Lake?
Yes, but mostly in the shallow, warm, weedy spots. In the deep, rocky swimming holes above, they're rarely seen.
Is it safe to cliff jump in Kelowna?
Cliff jumping in Kelowna is risky because water levels change dramatically every year, so always swim down and check the depth before you jump. Don't jump from the highest cliffs at Paul's Tomb; they're notoriously dangerous and people get hurt there every summer.
What is the water temperature in Okanagan Lake?
Okanagan Lake's surface temperature reaches 22°C or more by late July and August. In May it's freezing, but in late summer it's warm enough to stay in the water for hours without getting cold.
Can I drink alcohol at Kelowna beaches?
No. It's illegal to drink at public parks and beaches in BC, and bylaw officers heavily patrol City Park and Boyce-Gyro. The remote spots see fewer patrols, but if you're caught you'll get a hefty fine.
Are Kelowna creeks safe to swim in during spring?
No. Spring runoff in May and June turns Mission Creek and Bear Creek into dangerous, fast-moving rivers with heavy debris. Wait until mid-July when the water slows down and clears up.
