Summerland near Penticton
Summerland lies about 15 km north of Penticton, roughly 15 minutes by car. It sits on the west side of Okanagan Lake, across the water from Naramata. The town is known for its vineyards, a seasonal steam railway and the cone of Giant's Head Mountain above the orchards.
A visit works best as a half day or a full day from Penticton. If wine is the plan, read about Penticton wine tours first, and see the Naramata Bench on the opposite shore for the other main wine area on this lake.
Kettle Valley Steam Railway
The 90-minute Scenic Run, with the 2026 fares and season.
| Ticket | 2026 fare |
|---|---|
| Adult | CA$35 |
| Senior, 65 and over | CA$32 |
| Youth | CA$30 |
| Child, 3 to 12 | CA$24 |
| Up to 2 years | Free on a lap |
Fares add 5 percent GST and a booking fee. Confirm the youth age band when you book. Regular trains follow a 24-hour cancellation rule with a service fee. If you need a wheelchair space, book early.
Our pick: a day of tastings around Summerland
Summerland's wineries sit above the lake, and this tour handles the driving and the pickup.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Summerland and Okanagan tours
Wine visits, lake days and day trips around Summerland and Penticton, with live prices and availability.
The 2026 railway season
The regular 2026 season runs from 16 May to 12 October, so there are no regular trains outside it. The pattern:
- 16 May to 1 July: Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- 2 July to 7 September: Thursday to Monday at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.
- 8 September to 12 October: Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The switch from summer to autumn falls around the end of August or the first week of September, so check the exact date. A separate Christmas train is a different product with its own dates. Check the current timetable before you plan around a train.
Giant's Head Mountain
The municipal trails are the Confederation Trail and the Centennial Trail, and the summit is 845 m above sea level. You can drive up Giant's Head Road and Milne Road, but the last stretch to the top is on foot. The road is open from 15 April to 30 October, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., with no vehicle access on Sundays. Check these dates before you drive, because the park rules can change. A wildfire in 2026 led to closures on other trails, so check the current notices.
For more walks around the area, see hiking around Penticton.
Wine areas around Summerland
The wine land lies west of the lake and is divided into three named areas: Summerland Valleys, Summerland Bench and Summerland Lakefront. Do not treat Summerland as a single wine area. Tasting rooms keep their own hours, so check each one before you go.
If you taste wine, do not drive afterwards. In British Columbia, penalties for driving after drinking start at 0.05 percent blood alcohol, and 0.08 percent is not a safe limit. Arrange a driver or a guided tour. For wider wine routes across the valley, see this Penticton wine tours page and Okanagan wine tours.
Trails, roads and the Kettle Valley route
After the wildfire in 2026, the town closed some trails, and the road between Princeton and Summerland is closed to through traffic. Highway 5A or Highway 3 are the alternatives, so check closures before you drive. On the old railway corridor, the band-owned section between Summerland and Banbury Green stays closed, with the channel footpath excepted. Do not plan a continuous bike ride on it. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail page has the current picture.
Summerland: frequently asked questions
How far is Summerland from Penticton?
About 15 km, or roughly 15 minutes by car.
When does the Kettle Valley Steam Railway run?
The 2026 regular season runs from 16 May to 12 October. Trains run on weekends and Mondays in spring and autumn and from Thursday to Monday in summer. Check the timetable for the next season.
How long is the steam train ride?
The Scenic Run takes 90 minutes. Fares for 2026 start at CA$24 for a child and CA$35 for an adult, plus 5 percent GST and a booking fee.
Can I drive up Giant's Head Mountain?
The road is open from 15 April to 30 October, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., with no vehicle access on Sundays. The last stretch to the summit is on foot.
Is the old railway trail open between Penticton and Summerland?
Not as a continuous route. The band-owned section between Summerland and Banbury Green is closed. Check the Kettle Valley Rail Trail page for the current state.