Fintry Provincial Park is a getaway with a historical flavor. Located on the west shore of the Okanagan Lake, its site was historically the valley’s transportation hub, seeing hundreds of Hudson’s Bay Company fur brigade traders passing through for many years.

Fintry is currently home to about 50 families and features a large provincial campsite with a few public beaches.

Shorts Creek, once known as the Elk River and Rivière à la Biche, runs through the middle of the current community. The creek, named after Captain Thomas Dolman Shorts, a ship captain for the Canadian Pacific Railway Lake and River Service steamboats on Okanagan Lake, was the first non-native to land at the creek and the surrounding area.

Fintry Falls, accessed via a steep stairway, is located in a small canyon where Shorts Creek drops into the town toward the lake. While steep, the stairs make for a much easier climb to the top of the mountain than if you were going it alone. Although plan for few breaks as you head up, there are a lot of steps.

If you’re not looking to get your heartbeat throbbing out of your chest, on the far side of the park’s field, before the base of the stairs, there are a number of historic buildings open for viewing. This place is truly magical, and every breath as you walk through the old buildings is an insight into how the Okanagan was founded.

Our favorite is the old barn; walking through his weathered walls as it towers over you is breathtaking. There are even some old water cistern systems to look over, which we found particularly interesting seeing how people historically tried to harness the creek’s power.

If you ever get a chance to explore Fintry or you’re lucky enough to grab a spot at the campsite, tag us on Instagram and Facebook, and we will share your photos! Having amazing green spaces that also played a role in our Okanagan history so close to Kelowna (34 KM North) and Vernon (49 KM South) is one of the best parts of where we live!