7 of the Best Stops on a Penticton to Vancouver Road Trip
Are you planning a Penticton and Vancouver road trip? It’s the perfect way to explore the diversity that BC has to offer. From desert to city, this road trip features some incredible landscapes that will have you pulling over for a photo. With scenic mountain roads, charming small towns, valleys bursting with flowers, and incredible parks, this road trip packs a lot of fun places to stop.
On a recent trip to British Columbia, I was visiting friends and we had a conference in Richmond, so when she suggested we do a proper road trip, I was thrilled to see more of BC. We travelled along Crowsnest Highway between the Okanagan Valley and Hope, full of twists and turns, taking you through the mountains. Then, between Hope and Vancouver was packed with scenic valleys and hidden gems.
So, I’ve pulled together my favourites stops between Penticton and Vancouver that are worth pulling over for. Plus, suggestions on where to stay along the way.
Gas up the car, pack your bags and let’s hit the road!
What to know before you go
While there are a couple of different routes you can choose, this road trip will share stops along the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) and the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1).
How far is Penticton from Vancouver via Highway 3? – The distance between both cities is approximate 400 km.
How long does it take to drive from Penticton to Vancouver? – It takes close to 5 hours, via the Crowsnest Highway.
When is the best time to do this road trip? – I recommend planning this road trip for late April through early fall. But if you’re looking to visit all of the flower farms, May through July is best.
While it only takes roughly 5 hours to drive been Penticton and Vancouver. If you want to visit all of these stops, I recommend stretching the road trip to 2 to 3 days.
Another thing to note is that Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) is full of winding roads through the mountains and valleys. It’s one of the most scenic road trips in Canada. So, take your time and enjoy the journey.
Where to Stop Between Penticton and Vancouver
Keremeos
Our first stop was in Keremeos, a quaint village around 40 minutes south of Penticton.
I was hopping to visit the Grist Mill & Gardens but sadly wasn’t open for the season. This historic site is open May to October.
The Grist Mill & Gardens, built in 1877, is home to BC’s only working waterwheel-powered flour mill. A visit to the mill and grounds would make for a fun day trip from Penticton.
Wander the gardens and enjoy lunch or a snack in their tea room. They serve up scones and old-fashioned ice tea along with other treats.
If you’re looking for a bathroom stop at Memorial Park. You’ll find public washrooms and the cutest photo-op! The park features a giant quail statue named Amos.
Other places to visit in Keremeos include the South Similkameen Museum, a local history museum, and Mom & Pop’s Farm Market. The market is a great spot to grab some food and are known for their samosas.
Princeton
A surprising highlight of the road trip was our stop in Princeton. Set in the scenic Similkameen Valley, this small town is a fun stop to explore.
Our first stop was at the Visitor’s Centre, which is another great stop for clean washrooms and to learn what to do in town.
I grabbed a pamphlet for their Bronze Sculpture Walk and we headed off to see a few. With 15 sculptures scattered around town, representing local wildlife, it felt like a scavenger hunt trying to locate them. One of my favourite sculptures is the cougar that’s located in front of the Town Hall.
Along the sculpture trail I stumbled upon the cutest little library in Veteran’s Square. It’s literally carved into an old tree!
One hidden gem in Princeton that we learned about, thanks to a chat with the lovely lady at the Visitor’s Centre, was the Princeton Tunnel. Even my friends from Off Track Travel, who do this road trip often didn’t know about it.
The Princeton Tunnel is a 1000-foot tunnel that’s part of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail (KVR). We parked nearby and took the spooky walk through the lit tunnel. On the other side is the remnants of a bridge that sadly was damaged due to flooding in 2021.
While this part of the trail is currently closed, the rocky area at the edge of the river made for a picturesque spot for our packed lunch. We enjoyed a picnic while watching marmots scurry among the rocks nearby.
If you’re looking for more things to do in Princeton, there’s the Princeton Museum. This local history museum highlights everything from fossils to First Nations as well as the story of the first white settlers in town.
E.C. Manning Provincial Park
One of the most magical stops on a Crowsnest Highway road trip is E.C. Manning Provincial Park. Spanning over 70,000 hectares, it’s nearly 10 times the size of Algonquin Park.
Spanning from northern California up through southern British Columbia, the park is set in the Cascade Mountains. With over 30 hiking trails, it’s one of the most popular parks in BC.
Knowing I’m a big bird nerd, my friends suggested we stop to visit Sumallo Grove in the park. It’s known as one of a few breeding locations in the country for the Northern Spotted Owl. Along with other species, it’s one of the best places for birding in Canada, and an IBA (Important Bird Area).
This is a beautiful spot to enjoy an easy and short hike, as the trail is a 500-metre loop. While we didn’t spot any owls, I did see a number of Pacific wrens and heard a few other species.
One thing that stood out was how enchanted it felt. It was my first forest trail in BC, and with towering trees, trunks that would take multiple people to wrap their arms around, and nearly everything draped in a blanket of moss, it was magical!
Tips: The Sumallo Grove trail is located on Highway 3, roughly 10 km east of E.C. Manning’s west entrance. Alos, be prepared because there is no cellphone service in the park.
Hope
At the crossroads of Crowsnest Highway and Highway 1 sits the cutest town – Hope! This was one of my favourite stops on our Penticton to Vancouver road trip.
Nestled in to where the Fraser Canyon meets the mountains, Hope is best known for being the filming location for Rambo’s First Blood movie. I loved wandering downtown Hope seeing some of the places it was filmed. Plus, there are a number of wood carved statues, including one of Rambo.
There’s a number of cafes; I loved Hope Mountain Cafe. It was spacious, right downtown, and serves up a great cup of coffee. Another one of my favourite places in Hope was Baker’s Books! This second-hand bookshop feels like you’re walking into an enchanted shop with items hanging from the ceiling and fantastic deals on a wide selection of books.
If you’re looking for more things to do in Hope, there’s plenty to keep you busy for a few days. There are a number of art galleries as well as places to learn more about the local Indigenous communities, like Tuckkwiowhum Village.
I think this is the perfect halfway point to book a night’s stay, especially since there’s plenty to do in town. I loved Inn the Mountains. It has the perfect location, right downtown, rooms are clean and modern and (most importantly) budget-friendly.
Spring Tip: For those visiting in April, consider checking out Harrison Tulip Festival. We visited near the end of festival but it was still incredible to walk through the millions of tulips.
Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park
One of the best stops on a Penticton to Vancouver road trip is Bridal Veil Falls! Take exit 135 off of Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway).
Bridal Veil Falls is a must stop on Highway 1, minutes east of Chilliwack. After a short hike, through an enchanted forest, you’ll come to the base of the 60 metres tall waterfall.
The loop trail to the waterfall can easily be done in 20 minutes. But I recommend taking your time in the forest, it’s a great spot for birding, as well at the base of the waterfall to truly soak it in.
This is another great spot for a picnic, as there are numerous tables, as well as washrooms.
One thing to note is that it’s open April through October.
Abbotsford
One place that is full of wonderful places to visit near Vancouver is Abbotsford. Just off Highway 1, about an hour east of the city, Abbotsford is full of hidden gems.
One gem that is not hidden but a must-visit in the spring is Lakeland Flowers for the Abbotsford Tulip Festival. This sprawling farm features 35 acres of tulips of all different varieties. You can literally spend hours wandering the fields, my friends and I certainly did! Scattered throughout are fun photo-ops like a canoe and swings.
Mid-April to the beginning of May is the best time for tulips. If you’re visiting mid-May to the beginning of June, you’ll find lupins and peonies and the rest of June is lavender season. You can make a day of it as there’s food trucks on site too.
Another incredible place to visit – for those who love flowers like me, is Tuscan Farm Gardens. This gorgeous property, and the lovely owner, helped me to quickly fall in love with this place.
Tuscan Farm Gardens is a seasonal farm, is home to lavender fields and beautiful gardens. The best time to visit is mid-June through early July. You’ll also find an adorable shop and café, plus a farmhouse that you can book for stays. And you may recognize it from countless Hallmark movies.
After frolicking through flowers head over to Seaside Pearl Winery. While you won’t find it seaside, you will find a gem of a winery. And the view – vineyards with the mammoth Mount Baker in the distance.
This Fraser Valley hidden gem is a lovely stop for a wine tasting. Choose from picturesque locations, like in their stunning chapel, patio, or eclectic barrel room. It’s also no surprise that it’s been featured in various Hallmark movies too!
Burnaby
The Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) runs right through the heart of Burnaby. This makes it the perfect road trip stop.
Minutes off the highway you’ll find three great places to visit in Burnaby. All are within a short walk of each other.
First stop is the Burnaby Village Museum. As soon as I walked into the main village I felt like I was walking onto a film set! So, it was no surprise that many of films and tv shows (like X-Files) have been filmed here.
Burnaby Village Museum is open seasonally and is free to visit. It’s an open-air museum designed like a small historic town, complete with a picturesque “Main Street,” vintage storefronts, an old streetcar, and heritage buildings.
A short walk away (under 10 minutes) is the Burnaby Art Gallery. I love that it’s set in a historic building, built over 100 years ago, known as Fairacres Mansion. This gallery is the only public art museum in Canada dedicated to works of art on paper.
Both of these attractions, and more, are located within Deer Lake Park. If you’re looking for a lovely walk, I highly recommend taking a stroll around the lake. The Deer Lake Trail is approximately 5 km and loops around the lake. It’s a scenic walk that includes stretches of boardwalk, plenty of birding opportunities, and only takes about 1 hour.
If you’re looking for an alternative to staying in Vancouver, consider Burnaby. I stayed at the Delta Hotels Burnaby Conference Centre. The rooms are spacious, there’s an epic steakhouse, and it’s nearly half the price as places in Vancouver. Plus, it’s close to the Millennium Line. So, you can easily ride the SkyTrain into Vancouver, in under 25 minutes.
Vancouver
You have arrived in Vancouver!
I love who walkable the city is and that it has so many unique places to visit within a short distance. You can enjoy slow days exploring all the great cafes and wandering iconic attractions like Stanley Park. Or you can fill your visit with all the countless museums and galleries across the city.
If you’re looking for places to stay in Vancouver, I have a couple of suggestions.
The Sutton Place – This luxury hotel in downtown Vancouver has a spa, pool, and an award-winning restaurant.
Garden Park Hotel – This mid-range hotel is in the Granville Entertainment District. It features a rooftop deck and restaurant.
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Whether you’re starting your trip in Penticton or in Vancouver, this road trip can be done both ways. Either way you travel, this is one of the most scenic and fun road trips in BC, especially if it’s your first visit.
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