Karen G.
5/5
Julie MacMillan:
Tucked into my camper for our last night at Hidden Gait Ranch in Summerland and already planning our next visit, this is our third time here and it's definitely a favorite with something for everyone including the non riders in your group.
Hidden Gait is about 5 minutes above the town of Summerland and 10 minutes from Okanagan Lake. It's a serene, private feeling small campsite on 55 acres belonging to the hosts, Karen and John. They're a great couple, always more than willing to lend a hand in any way you can think of. Need a tool you forget, run short of hay and need to buy a couple of bales, need a guide to show you the best sunset views, just ask.
The horse area is nice with 10 paddocks and most have trees to keep the horses out of the hot noon sun. There is a poo fork, wheelbarrow, and water tub provided for you. The hose reaches right to all the paddocks and the poop dump is close and easy.
There are 7 campsites that you can book ahead or ask for last minute, ideally you can fill them all so you're amongst friends but the times we've been here there's been nobody else so its been nice and quiet. The place is super cutely decorated and has lots of small lights around so you can find your way around at night. There is a large central table that seats 10 ish and had a propane fire pit. There are also picnic tables and spool tables with bar stools, there are also extra propane firepits if you'd like a more private evening. There's a gas bbq as well, so many conveniences if you're traveling light.
The outhouse is cute and clean and perhaps my most favorite random thing is that the water out if the hose is super warm, I use it directly as a makeshift shower and it's perfect.
It's also very dog friendly here so long as you look after your pupper and it's fine with the hosts super friendly dogs.
There are tons of both horse, atv and dirt bike trails right off the property plus access to the Kettle Valley Rail Trail that goes forever. We have ridden our horses all over various types of trails and never come across any motorized vehicles in case that worries anyone, there are so many trails that nothing seems to ever get too busy.
There's a nice creek about a 10 minute ride from camp. The spot we saw would have been tough to get horses to but there were lots of great spots to tie up if you wanted to head down to it. The pool looked deep enough for a nice cool off dip for you and your dog.
The town of Summerland is super cute with all the small town charm you could ask for and the drive through it and up to camp is absolutely gorgeous.
There are plenty of restaurants and cute shops as well as a golf course close by. Definitely worth a visit. Giants Head Mountain Park is right there as well. Outstanding views and trails that are perfect for the avid hiker. You can also drive to the top but it's steep with tight switchbacks, make sure your car is running well and your brakes are good.
Perhaps the biggest perk of the area is Horse Beach, really gorgeous spot that's both dog and horse friendly. It's one of my favorite places on earth and the icing on a perfect holiday. If you end up there please be super careful to be a really great horse/ dog person, be safe, polite to others, and clean up after yourselves. There are already people grumbling about animals there and we want to make really sure we can continue to use it well into the future.
Despite this sounding like a commercial I'm in no way affiliated with this camp but learned just today that they have lots of openings left over the summer and thought I'd share this gem so others could enjoy it too. It's definitely a great time 😊
