Most visitors who rent an RV in Vancouver head to the Rockies, but one of the nicest short trips in British Columbia goes the other way: east, into the Okanagan. It is a sunny valley of lakes, orchards and vineyards, with beaches that are warm enough for swimming and a southern tip near Osoyoos that is among the driest places in Canada. If you are researching an Okanagan RV rental, this is how we would plan the trip from a Vancouver pick-up.

We built this guide from the CampervanPlanet Vancouver listing and common Canadian road and camping rules, and we flag where you should check the details. We have not driven this route in a rented RV, so please read it as a researched planning guide. For the coast, see our Vancouver RV guide to Sea-to-Sky and Vancouver Island, and for the Rockies see our one-way Vancouver to Calgary guide.

Why the Okanagan makes a good RV trip

The Okanagan is compact. Lakes run down the valley from Vernon through Kelowna and Penticton to Osoyoos, and you can drive the whole length in a day, but a better plan is to spend four to seven days. The Vancouver page describes the route as running from the Fraser Canyon to the Okanagan Valley, with world-class wineries around Kelowna and Penticton, warm freshwater lakes, desert landscapes near Osoyoos and farm-to-table dining at orchard restaurants. It lists more than 15 lakeside campsites, says any campervan will do and calls the route beginner-friendly.

That makes it a good first RV trip. Distances are short, roads are good and services are frequent, so you can learn how the vehicle handles before heading into remote country. It is also a trip that suits families, couples and groups of friends, because the days are relaxed and the choice of activities is wide, from beaches and cycling to wine tasting.

You can compare vehicles and dates on the CampervanPlanet Vancouver page, and code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20 takes €20 off at checkout when you book through our links.

What RV hire in Vancouver costs

The Vancouver page showed RV rental from C$45 a day. For a 7-night hire, the cheapest vehicle was from C$55 a day for 10 November 2026 and for 9 March 2027, and from C$101 a day for 8 June 2027. A compact RV for two people was listed from C$119 a day, and a standard RV for two to four people sat above that. Those are prices for the cheapest option on the dates shown, so they are a guide to the level of prices and not a quote for July or August, when demand is highest.

The gap between winter and early summer is large, so the date you pick matters more than most choices. If you can travel in June or September rather than July and August, you will usually find lower prices, fewer crowds and still-warm weather. Our Vancouver RV guide has more on seasons and costs. On top of the hire, budget for fuel (sold by the litre in Canada), campgrounds, groceries, a deposit and insurance, and ask about mileage limits before you book.

The route: Fraser Canyon to Kelowna and Osoyoos

There are two main ways to reach the Okanagan from Vancouver. The faster is the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5), which climbs over a mountain pass and reaches Kelowna in about four to five hours without stops. The more scenic option is the Fraser Canyon on Highway 1, where the road follows the river through a narrow gorge, past Hells Gate and the small towns of Yale and Lytton, before joining the road to Kamloops. It is slower and the road is narrow in places, so it suits a patient driver and a van that is not too large.

A neat loop is to go one way and return the other. Drive out via the Coquihalla to Kelowna, explore the valley south to Penticton and Osoyoos, then return west via Highway 3 through the Similkameen Valley and Manning Park, which is a lovely drive through orchards and then forest. The whole loop is roughly 800 to 900 km, so allow five to seven days. The Vancouver page names Vancouver, Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton and Osoyoos as the key stops on this route.

Wineries, beaches and desert

The Okanagan has more than a hundred wineries, concentrated around Kelowna, Penticton, the Naramata Bench and Osoyoos. Many have tasting rooms and restaurants, and some have small campgrounds nearby. If you plan to taste, take care: the rules on drinking and driving are strict, so nominate a driver, book a tour or take a taxi for the tasting day and leave the RV at the campground.

The lakes are the other draw. Okanagan Lake is large and warm in summer, and public beaches in Kelowna, Penticton and Peachland are popular. Cycling is excellent too, with the Kettle Valley Rail Trail offering gentle gradients on old railway beds. Osoyoos Lake is among the warmest lakes in Canada, and the dry hills around it, with sagebrush and rattlesnakes, make a striking change from the green coast. Keep your eyes on the trail and do not walk off the path in long grass.

Fruit stands line the roads from late spring to autumn, with cherries in early summer, then peaches, apricots and apples later. Buying from the roadside is part of the experience, and it keeps your fridge stocked at a low cost.

Campgrounds and where to sleep

The Vancouver page says there are more than 15 lakeside campsites on this route, and in July and August they fill quickly. Book ahead for the best spots, particularly those right on the water, and have a backup plan for weekends. Provincial parks and private campgrounds both take reservations, and some have electric hookups, showers and dump stations. If you are driving a larger RV, ask about site length and access, because some older campgrounds have tight corners.

Camping outside designated places is restricted in many areas, and fines can be heavy, so do not assume you can park by the lake overnight. Also check fire bans, which are common in the dry summer months. If a ban is in force, use your propane stove instead of a campfire, and follow the rules even if other campers do not.

Wildfire smoke, heat and driving tips

Summer in the interior of British Columbia is hot and dry, with daytime highs often above 30°C in July and August. Wildfires are a real risk, and smoke can affect air quality and views for days. Before you leave, check the provincial wildfire service and road condition websites, and be ready to change plans if a highway is closed. September is often a calmer month, and it is also the harvest season for wine and fruit.

• Driving side: Canadians drive on the right, and speed limits are in kilometres per hour.
• Winter rules: British Columbia requires winter tyres or chains on many highways from 1 October to 30 April, so check the rules and your rental terms if you travel outside summer.
• Mountain passes: the Coquihalla has long climbs and descents, so use a lower gear on the way down and check your brakes.
• Wildlife: deer and bears are common near roads, especially at dawn and dusk.

Booking tips for summer 2027

Summer 2027 is already bookable, and July and August fill first. Compare prices for your exact dates on the CampervanPlanet Vancouver page, check which pick-up suits you and ask about the mileage allowance, the deposit and the insurance excess. If you want to add the Rockies, the Calgary page shows what is available at the other end for a one-way trip, and the one-way fee depends on the route and the season.

Every booking comes with a free 1GB eSIM, and code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20 takes €20 off at checkout when you book through our links. If you book through our links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you, and a booking within 30 days of your click is credited to us.