5 Outdoor Activities Near Black Mountain: Fresh Air & Fun Near Your Neighbourhood

Posted by Dave Kotler on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 at 1:44pm.

Best Outdoor Activities in Black Mountain, Kelowna

The wonderful climate in Kelowna allows for a wide range of outdoor activities all year. The Black Mountain neighbourhood in southeast Kelowna is exceptional in this regard. Black Mountain offers close access to sizable provincial and regional parks for residents to enjoy. Golfers will love one of the main courses in the neighbourhood, and residents can pick their own fruit at a local orchard each year during the growing season. Here are five of the best outdoor activities people can do daily in Black Mountain, helping make it one of Kelowna's best neighbourhoods.

Scenic Canyon Regional Park

The Scenic Canyon Regional Park is located in the south part of Black Mountain, near the Gallagher's Canyon Golf & Country Club. The entrances to this park—one of Kelowna's top parks—are at Field Road and Hollywood Road South. The Mission Creek Greenway is an excellent place for a day hike, running through forested areas and following Mission Creek itself. The hike is rated mostly easy, with a few moderate sections. Hikers will cross several bridges and climb a number of stairs along the way.

The unique geologic features of Layer Cake Mountain and Pinnacle Rock can be viewed from this hiking route. Hikers are welcome to bring their leashed dogs with them on the trail. Canada's Regional Parks are open from dawn until dusk daily, without hours shifting seasonally, though some vehicle entrances to the park are closed during the winter months. A GPS-enabled map of the park can help hikers find their way along the trail through the 229-hectare area. A limited number of public washrooms are available at the parking lots at either end of the park.

Access to Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park

Visit Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park in Black Mountain, Kelwona

The Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park is a unique natural resource area south of the Black Mountain neighbourhood. At 7,677 hectares in size, this park draws more than 80,000 visitors annually. The park was preserved to set aside and protect the full elevational range of British Columbia.

Hikers and mountain bikers will enjoy the Myra Canyon Trail, one of the best hiking trails in Kelowna. This trail follows the old Kettle Valley Railway route, crossing 18 paths, and travels through multiple rail tunnels along the journey. Many hikes are available in Myra-Bellevue, ranging from easy to challenging in difficulty, and horseback riding is also popular. Hunting is allowed in the park during hunting season. Wildlife in the park includes large mammals like grizzly bears, moose, elk, deer and mountain sheep, and smaller animals like spotted bats and northern alligator lizards.

The park gates open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 11:00 p.m. daily during the open season. There is a fee for front-country camping in the Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park; otherwise, it is free to park and hike throughout the area.

Black Mountain Golf Club

The Black Mountain Golf Club is located in the north-central part of the neighbourhood, with lovely homes on the hillsides to the south and west of the course. This public nine-hole golf course measures 3,354 meters from the gold tees. Par-3 hole 6 is an island hole, which demands a high degree of accuracy to avoid the water surrounding the green.

Season passes for this fun little course tend to sell out early every year, as golfing is one of the great outdoor activities in Kelowna. Players who want to use the course regularly can also purchase multi-game packs from 10 to 100 rounds of golf annually. The passes are transferrable and offer discounts at the club's Pro Shop. The Grill at Black Mountain serves delicious pub food and a variety of cold craft beers for after a round of golf. Private and semi-private golf lessons from two golf pros are available, and they offer golf clinics several times a year.

There are several additional golf courses and country clubs near the Black Mountain neighbourhood, including the following:

  • Gallagher's Canyon Golf & Country Club
  • Kelowna Golf Course - Orchard Greens Golf Club
  • The Harvest Golf Club
  • Tower Ranch Golf & Country Club
  • Kelowna Springs Golf Club
  • Kelowna Golf & Country Club

Kempf Orchards

Visit Kempf Orchards in Black Mountain, Kelwona

The Okanagan Valley is known as the "wine capital of Canada" due to the wonderful growing season in this part of British Columbia. The valley is dotted with numerous orchards, vineyards and wineries that the public can tour during the summer and at select times throughout the year. Kempf Orchards is located off Teasdale Road in the western part of the Black Mountain neighbourhood.

This family-run orchard, one of the can't-miss things to do in Kelowna, has been in operation since 1966. The public is welcome to come to the orchard during the growing season each summer, which usually runs from sometime in June until about mid-August or until the cherries run out. For $2 per person, visitors can come to the orchard and pick their own cherries. Wear outdoor footwear and a hat, and bring some sunscreen.

Kempf Orchards is open seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dogs are not allowed in the picking area of the orchard, but it does have a pet rest area. The orchard grows ten different varieties of cherries, including Early Yellow, Cristalina, Rainier, Stardust and Sour cherries.

Stockley Open Space

The Stockley Open Space in Kelowna is directly south of the Black Mountain Golf Club. This 5.27-hectare open space is great for a moderate day hike and adventure. A loop trail is the only amenity available in this open space, and it's not paved. Those who climb to the top of the hill are treated to an amazing 360-degree view of the valley from the top.

Hikers can view the Black Mountain - Sntsk'il'ntən Regional Park to the neighbourhood's east and the Black Mountain Golf Club to the north. Okanagan Lake and the high-rise condos in Downtown Kelowna are visible to the west. Visitors are welcome to bring their leashed dogs with them for a hike up the mountain. The Open Space is "open" from dawn until dusk every day. The best time to visit is before sunset during the summer months, as the views of the Kelowna skyline are best during this time.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors in Kelowna's Black Mountain Neighbourhood

Black Mountain has tremendous opportunities for outdoor activities that can be enjoyed daily by residents or those considering moving to Kelowna. It's a nature lover's paradise, with many green spaces, parks and other outdoor activities to explore. This part of the town is also growing, with many Kelowna new construction homes and custom homes available for savvy buyers. Anyone who enjoys the great outdoors will enjoy visiting or living in Black Mountain.

If the opportunities in Kelowna excite you, contact the agents at KelownaHomes.ca at 250-999-9844 to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find the perfect home in Kelowna today.

Dave Kotler

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