When you bought your motorhome at Woody’s RV did you ever think you’d be on the lookout for a lake monster? Take a trip to British Columbia’s Okanagan Lake and you might just catch a glimpse of Ogopogo, the province’s cherished sea serpent. No need to go all the way to Loch Ness to get suitably entertained by a cryptozoological monster!.

Legend of Ogopogo

First Nations people called the lake serpent N’ha-a-itk. When traveling on Okanagan Lake, particularly around Squally Point, thought to house the serpent’s cave, small animals were brought along as offerings. Legend has it that Ogopogo was once a man who murdered a respected elder. The gods changed him into a serpent, doomed to ply the waters of Okanagan Lake for eternity.

The first sighting of Ogopogo by a white person was in 1870. A Mrs. Allison watched the creature from her home in Sunnyside, which is now the site of Vineyard Estates. She described it as being 50 feet long and over 3 feet wide. Various tales of missing animals, people and boats have emerged ever since.

Today Ogopogo is a bit of a celebrity. In the city of Kelowna, a fibreglass statue of the beast sits at Hot Sands Beach Park. Kids climb all over the colourful artwork. Cameras come out for the obligatory photo op next to the legendary creature. You may not catch a glimpse of the real thing, but finding an Ogopogo T-shirt, cap or other souvenir is a cinch.

Campgrounds at Okanagan Lake

The closest full-service campground to Kelowna is the Hiawatha RV Park. Located five kilometres south of the city center, the park is open from May through September, weather permitting. Full and partial service sites are offered, with both 30 and 15 amp electrical hook-ups. A heated pool, hot tub, arcade and playground are just some of the amenities. Rotary beach is a half-block away. Pets are not allowed at this RV Park.

On the western shore of Okanagan Lake, in the town of Westbank is the West Bay Beach Resort. The family-oriented campground sits on 22 acres of farmland. Sites are shaded, with some fronting the private sandy beach. A private boat launch and docks are available. An arcade, sundry store, playground, sports fields and tennis court are onsite. Trails lead by pastures that are home to llamas and alpacas, gentle, fuzzy creatures that don’t seem to mind visitors. West Bay Beach Resort is open from March through October, weather permitting. Reservations are advised, especially during the summer months. This popular place books up rather quickly.

Both campgrounds offer easy access to local wineries, including Mission Hills, Gray Monk, Summerhill and Quail’s Gate. Downtown Kelowna and its shops, art galleries, restaurants and beaches are also within easy reach. If you are staying at West Bay Beach, the William R. Bennett Bridge, ten kilometres north of the campground, leads right into Kelowna.

Visit Woody’s RV

Before you set off to monster hunt in your RV, drop by Woody’s RV to make sure that everything’s in tip-top shape with your rig.

Point your motorhome towards northern Alberta and head for Grande Prairie. Five miles west of this fast-growing community is Saskatoon Island Provincial Park. At one time, prior to 1919, it really was an island. First Nations people used to paddle out to this bit of land and collect Saskatoon berries, hence the name. Then the water level in the plains dropped, creating Saskatoon Lake and Little Lake. It left a narrow strip of land in between. In 1932 this strip of land became a provincial park.

In 1948, Saskatoon Lake became a Federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary and today is one of the largest nesting spots of the Trumpeter Swan. These birds, the largest and heaviest water-birds in North America, were almost extinct by the early part of the 20^th century. Thanks to places like Saskatoon Island Provincial Park, these snowy-white swans have made a remarkable recovery.

During the warm-weather breeding season, it’s easy to do a bit of swan watching. A wooden boardwalk leads out to the edge of the lake, some of which is a freshwater marsh. At the end of the boardwalk is a viewing platform. All you need is a pair of binoculars and/or a camera. You can find the swans by following the lake’s coastline, but this boardwalk gets you a lot closer to the birds. Trumpeter Swans tend to nest in the same area each year, so many of the birds are repeat visitors and tend to tolerate well-behaved people quite nicely.

Each year the City of Grande Prairie, which adopted the Trumpeter Swan as its official symbol, hosts its Swan Festival. Held the third weekend in April, the festivities start in the city with entertainment, nature presentations and a silent auction. The second day is an on-site party at the Provincial Park. Activities include swan sighting tours, crafts, face painting, food and more. Entry to this family-friendly park event is free.

The Saskatoon Island campground is open between May 1 and October 15. It offers powered 15 and 30 amp RV sites as well as dry camping spots. Some sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet long. Each campsite has its own firepit and firewood is available or sale. Potable water, showers, washrooms and a dump station are onsite. Some of the campsites, as well as the showers and washrooms, are suitable for the physically challenged.

Stop by Woody’s RV World

After your visit to your Alberta RV Dealer, perhaps you’ll consider an RV vacation to one of Alberta’s wilderness treasures. Spend time at the lake’s beach, play some baseball or do some hiking.