The North Okanagan / Shuswap has an abundance of ATV riding areas.
Remember that your vehicle will be unattended on the side of a remote/forest road so don’t leave any valuables in your vehicle and lock your vehicle and ramps.
King Edward Forest Service Road
This popular Vernon area staging area is one of the main ways to access the Aberdeen Plateau. Locally known as “King Eddy”, it is the starting point to access numerous lakes and trails and areas beyond as far south as Grand Forks. A combination of forest service roads, old logging roads and trails.
Lakes: King Edward, Bear, Kaiser Bill, Oyama, Streak, Hidden, Damer, Aberdeen, and so many more.
Parking: Park on the side of King Eddy Road immediately after turning off Highway 6.
Directions: 9kms east of Vernon on Highway 6, turn south off of Highway 6 onto King Eddy Road
Noble Canyon Road
A popular area for ATV/UTVs, dirt bikes and 4x4s, a combination of forest service roads, powerline roads, old logging roads and trails. Becker Lake is west of Noble Canyon, Bardolph Lake is east of Noble Canyon.
Lakes: Becker and Bardolph
Directions: 17kms east of Vernon in Lavington, turn north off of Highway 6 onto Noble Canyon Road
Parking and Unloading: Due to the new residents on the road we must unload past the cattleguard approximately 400m down the road. Unload at the cattleguard then park along the road back toward the highway or park further up the gravel portion of the FSR. Please don’t park at the cattleguard or in the turn around area by the cattleguard as this makes it near impossible to get a trailer turned around. There are additional parking areas at 1km and 2km.
Harris Creek Rd
Another popular staging area for quads, side x sides, dirt bikes and all types of outdoor enthusiasts. A mix of FSR, old logging roads and trails. Harris Creek connects to the Aberdeen Plateau/King Edward area and south to the Kettle Forest Service Road.
Lakes: Mosquito, Dennison, Bonneau
Directions: From the 4 way stop in Lumby head east on Highway 6 for 1.7kms, turn right onto Creighton Valley Road and continue 4.3km, turn right onto Harris Creek Road, the first staging area is approximately 4km up the road at the junction with Horner Road and there are wide spots and pullouts along the road further up.
Parking: Approximately 4km up Harris Creek there are numerous wide spots and pullouts to park.
Mt Ida
Mt Ida has an amazing diversity of riding and climate regions in one riding area. You can start in an open logging block at staging and be in a cool cedar rainforest or a hot open southwest facing pine/fir forest in a few minutes. Trails range from beginner to advanced and one trail may start out easy and quickly turn steep so check your maps or ride with someone who’s been here before. There are numerous viewpoints with spectacular vistas over Salmon Arm and Shuswap Lake, the Salmon River valley, Fly Hills and south toward Armstrong.
Deep Creek Road Staging
Deep Creek Road runs north/south from Highway 97B between Salmon Arm and Enderby to Hullcar Road. A 700m forest service road is passable for most vehicles in the summer but is extremely steep and can be treacherous in the winter.
Salmon River Road – Silver Creek Staging
Access the same trails as from Deep Creek Road but with a winter friendly road. Silver Creek Community Park is a multi-use access where you’ll often find ATVs, dirt bikes, horseback riders, mountain bikers and hikers all setting out on their adventure. It goes without saying, always respect other trail users, pull over, turn off your engine and give the right of way to horseback riders, cyclists and hikers.
Bear Creek OHV Area
Please note a day pass or season pass is required from April 1 to October 31. Visit the Okanagan Trail Riders website to purchase passes.
The Bear Creek OHV Area is designated as a motorized recreation area which is recognized and administered by the Province of British Columbia. The area encompasses over 85,000 acres and features 350 kms of planned trails for off road motorcycle and ATV’s. The environmentally sustainable world class trail system is safe, easy to navigate, well maintained and enjoyable for all levels of riders from Peewee to Expert.
In addition to trails you can stay at the Bear Creek Rec Site with 40+ dry campsites available on a first come first serve basis. The sites are traditional BC Rec campsites with fire rings and picnic tables. Conveniently located within the trail system with ride in and ride out access.
Bear Creek can be accessed from:
- Bear Creek Main FSR, 8.3km along Westside Road from Highway 97 in West Kelowna
- Terrace Mountain FSR just south of LaCasa on Westside Road