Photo: Scenic Canyon Regional Park

Public programs

Winter wonder night walks

Join us for a special evening to celebrate the new year! Come ready to engage all of your senses as you take in the wonder of the forest at night. Look for tracks in the snow, listen for an owl's call, enjoy hot chocolate, and share stories around a friendship circle. Ice cleats provided. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight or headlamp and a mug. Registration required.

Mill Creek Regional Park

Saturday, January 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Glen Canyon Regional Park (Brown Road entrance)

Wednesday, January 18, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Roll & stroll

Plan to link up with other caregivers this year! Roll & Stroll is our walking program for parents, caregivers and their babies and little ones. Each week, we'll stroll a section of trail. After the walk, we'll gather inside the EECO for social time and refreshments. Registration required.

Mission Creek Regional Park

Thursdays, January 5 to February 16, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Learn to field sketch

Field sketching is a powerful way to practice observation skills and is fundamental to science. Drawings can capture details that aren't easily described. Take the spark you feel when out in nature and learn to draw it on paper with us! Registration required.

Mission Creek Regional Park

Wednesday, January 11, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Sunday, January 15, 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, January 25, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Sunday, January 29, 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Guided hikes

Discover your parks

The Okanagan is home to a diversity of wildlife and ecosystems. Join a park interpreter on this series of guided hikes for an insider's look at our regional parks, exploring the trails, history, plants, animals and other unique features that make each park special. Bundle up and enjoy park trails this winter! Registration required.

Black Mountain- sntsk'il'ntən Regional Park

Saturday, January 14, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Glen Canyon Regional Park

Tuesday, January 17, 1 to 3 p.m.

Black Mountain- sntsk'il'ntən Regional Park

Wednesday, January 18, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Stephens Coyote Ridge Regional Park

Wednesday, January 25, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Stephens Coyote Ridge Regional Park

Saturday, January 28, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For a full list of public programs, guided hikes, and drop-in programs,

please visit the link below to view the Park Program Guide. 

Special event - matinee movie

Backyard Wilderness

Prepare to be mesmerized by the unexpected wonders of nature on the big screen! Join us for a special movie screening of Backyard Wilderness.

Park interpreters will welcome you into the theatre and offer nature-based games and trivia before the screening. Bring your whole family for this unique opportunity to discover more about the flora and fauna that is right outside your back door.

Cost: $5 (includes a small drink and popcorn)

Cineplex Cinemas at Orchard Plaza

Sunday, January 29, 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Special offering - interpretation training

How did you get that awesome job?

Our Park Interpreters get this question all the time! One common thread among them is training with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI).

Interpretation is a purposeful approach to communication that facilitates meaningful, relevant, and inclusive experiences that deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and inspire engagement with the world around us. If you're interested in leading tours, whether it's inside museums, outside on nature trails, from the front of a bus, or throughout a winery, the quality of the experience starts with strong interpretive skills. 

The NAI and the Parks Department of the RDCO are partnering to offer the Certified Interpretive Guide Training Course. Take the time to invest in interpretation skills! The certification is recognized throughout North America and around the world.

Space is limited, so don't miss this opportunity to take this course close to home.

The EECO in Mission Creek Regional Park

February 22 to 26, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Winter hours in regional parks

Regional parks are now operating on winter hours and are open for your enjoyment from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Please note that some parking lot gates close for the winter season or have reduced maintenance until March 31. 

For more information on winter park hours visit the Park and Trail Directory. 

Taking the essentials

When you're getting ready for outdoor adventures, it's much better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. Do you know what essentials should be in your daypack? Visit AdventureSmart for detailed information on Taking the Essentials.

Mission Creek Regional Park - new picnic shelter

Installation of the new picnic shelter at Mission Creek Regional Park is now complete! The new picnic shelter is now available for the community to use. The picnic shelter will sit on a gravel base until warmer weather arrives and a concrete slab can be poured in the spring. For more information on park facilities and amenities please visit our Book a facility or park page. 

Regional parks bench donation program

Celebrate family, friends or a special occasion with an inscribed plaque on a donated park bench. We accept applications in January and February each year. Installations are seasonal and done when weather and ground conditions permit as determined by parks staff. Review options, locations and terms and conditions, and if you’re interested complete and submit the online application form: Bench donations.

Dog pilot projects return in Lake Country

Dog owners have another seasonal chance to visit two regional parks in the District of Lake Country that normally don’t allow dogs. Now through the end of March, the RDCO is doing dog pilot projects in Kopje and Kaloya Regional Parks. Until March 31, dogs are allowed off-leash in Kopje, and on-leash on trails within Kaloya. Dogs are not allowed on the beach or playground areas of either park. 

The pilot provides more dog-friendly options during the slower off-season months and will also include opportunities for feedback in the early part of 2023: an online survey at yoursay.rdco.com and in-person gatherings with RDCO Parks staff and volunteers.

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