Cedar Falls Campground Review – Vernon, BC

Looking for a place near Vernon, British Columbia to set up your RV, pitch your tent or park your van and sample some of the local mountain bike trails? This Cedar Falls Campground review will have just the information you’re looking for. 

“It’s the closest campground to the top-rated SilverStar Bike Park.”

When I look for a campground, my main concern is access to riding. I want to be able to get to and from the trailhead or parking area as quickly and easily as possible. Cedars Falls Campground certainly checks that box. It’s the closest campground to the top-rated SilverStar Bike Park, and the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) epic trail, Beowulf. It is also within easy driving distance to other Vernon riding areas such as Kalamalka Lake, Ellison Provincial Park and Predator Ridge.

Once you’re done riding for the day, check out the many other summer activities Vernon has to offer: local vineyards, restaurants and lakes.

The campground!

Cedar Falls Campground is located about a 15 minute drive northwest of the city of Vernon. To get there from Vernon, make your way to Silver Star Road (leading up to the SilverStar Resort) and follow that to Tillicum Road, where you will make a right-hand turn. From the turn, it is only a few minute’s drive to the campground. The campground sits on a hillside and is about 8 acres in size.

How close is the riding?

Cedar Falls Campground isn’t within riding distance to any trails, but it is within driving distance to some really great riding. The campground is approximately a 20 minute drive from the SilverStar Bike Park and its network of XC trails, including the IMBA epic trail, Beowulf.

SilverStar Bike Park has some epic trails!

For gravity enthusiasts, being close to the SilverStar Bike Park is an asset. SilverStar describes itself as Canada’s second-largest bike park and boasts over 100km of trails that range in difficulty from beginner to expert. You can find a map of the bike park here.

If XC riding is more your speed, SilverStar has that too! There are over 35km of XC trails, ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced.

“Beowulf opened in 2017 and if it is not on your list, you’ll want to add it!”

On top of those 35+km of XC trails is another XC loop, the IMBA epic trail Beowulf. According to Trailforks, the Beowulf Loop is 36km and includes beginner to advanced portions of trail, along with 1200m of climbing. This is a serious loop and it must be done all in one ride! Beowulf opened in 2017 and if it is not on your list, you’ll want to add it! Check out our in-depth trail guide to Beowulf for everything you need to know to conquer this epic trail.

The temperature is generally cooler up at the park, so on a hot day it can be a good place to escape the heat.

See the Trailforks map below for SilverStar Mountain Resort riding area information.

Silver Star Mountain Resort on Trailforks.com

Where else can I ride?

If a bike park and big epic loops aren’t for you, or you’re looking for a change of pace, there is a lot more riding accessible from Cedar Falls Campground. Predator Ridge, Ellison Provincial Park and Kalamalka Lake are all approximately 35 minutes away and they offer XC/all mountain and shuttle-riding ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert.

Tell me about the sites!

Something I would like to note in this review of the Cedar Falls Campground that sets it apart from other campgrounds are the differences in the sites – no cookie cutter site layout here! There are the usual tent sites, and RV/trailer/van sites, but there are many differences when it comes to the size and shape of the sites, as well as what is included in each.

I’m camping in a tent

Cedar Falls Campground is home to a number of tent-specific campsites which all have a 10′ x 10′ wooden platform with tie-downs. Most of the tent-specific sites are located in what the campground refers to as the ‘Oasis’. The Oasis is a group of walk-in tent sites spread out over a small hill. These sites all contain a fire pit, and some contain picnic tables; others have smaller plastic tables. At the top of the Oasis there is a post with electrical outlets on it for use as a charging station. 

See the Cedar Falls Campground review video below for a look at the Oasis tenting sites.

In addition to the oasis, there are a few other tent-specific sites in other areas of the campground. They are drive-up sites and contain a firepit, picnic table, and a 10′ x 10′ wooden platform.

I’m camping in an RV

Cedar Falls Campground is home to numerous RV/trailer/camper/van sites. All of them contain a picnic table and firepit, but the services offered can be quite different. Options include: 

• • No services
  • 15 amp electric-only
  • 30 amp with water only
  • 30 amp with water & sewer
  • 50 amp with water & sewer

The sites also vary widely in their shape and size. Some can fit very large RVs, while others are only practical for small towables such as tent trailers.

See the Cedar Falls Campground review video below for a look at an example of an RV site.

Site privacy

The site privacy at the Cedar Falls Campground is quite good. Most of the RV sites are separated by trees and feel private. The tent-specific sites in the Oasis, while closer together than the RV sites, are also separated by trees. The Oasis sites are all at different levels on one small hill, and that adds to the feeling of privacy in the area.

Pro-Tips

• • While there is no bike wash or bike repair station at Cedar Falls Campground, there are both of those things at SilverStar if you need them. There are also bike tool stations located at trailheads of the other riding areas noted above.
  • Due to the varied size and shape of the RV sites, I would suggest being very accurate in describing the size and shape of your RV or trailer when making a reservation to make sure you get a site that fits you and your vehicle(s).

What’s the cost?

Prices below are for two adults and one vehicle:

• • No services – $35/night
  • 15 amp electric-only – $40/night
  • 30 amp with water only – $45/night
  • 30 amp with water & sewer – $45/night
  • 50 amp with water & sewer – $55/night
  • Tent-specific site – $35/night

Pricing for additional guests/vehicles:

• • Additional guest over 16 years – $10/night
  • Additional vehicle – $5/night

What are the amenities like?

Unfortunately for riders, Cedar Falls Campground doesn’t have any bike-specific amenities, but mountain bikers will appreciate the showers and laundry facilities. Both the showers and laundry are coin-operated. The showers take loonies, and a dollar will buy you 4 minutes of shower time. The coin laundry costs are $2/wash and $2.75/dry. Other campground amenities include:

• • Flush toilets
  • Porta-potties
  • Water taps
  • Can/bottle recycling
  • Free RV dump station
  • Playground
  • Small store with camping basics
  • Firewood
  • Propane fire bowls, for rent 
  • WiFi available around the office area
  • Nearby hiking trail to BX Falls

Amenities explained

The flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities are all located together in the main wash house building. Other restroom facilities include porta-potties, and they are spread throughout the campground for easy access.

Also spread throughout the campground are four potable water taps for filling water containers if you are staying in a site without access to water.

Near the main wash house building there are recycling and garbage receptacles. The RV pump-out station is adjacent to the wash house, and it is free-of-charge for registered guests of the campground.

Across the roadway from the wash house there is a playground.

Many of the campground’s other amenities are located in and around the main office, which is near the entrance to the campground. Inside the office there is a small store selling camping basics such as sunscreen and snacks. This is also where you can order firewood for $10/bundle. If there is a fire ban in effect, or if you prefer greater convenience, propane fire bowls are available for rent here as well.

“In my experience, there is very little to no cell service throughout the campground, so this WiFi area is essential if you need to stay connected.”

There is free WiFi available around the main office area. Attached to the office is a deck with tables — a nice place to sit and use your phone, tablet or laptop. In my experience, there is very little to no cell service throughout the campground, so this WiFi area is essential if you need to stay connected. As there is virtually no cell service in the campsites, it would be nice to see the WiFi extended throughout the campground.

Hike to nearby falls

If you’re looking for things to do near the campground, there is a short hike to BX Falls just down the road. The trailhead is well marked and visible from the road as you drive toward Cedar Falls Campground from Vernon. There is a small parking lot at the trailhead, but the falls are also within walking distance of the campground. The hike to the falls is quite short, but steep in places. Most of the steep pitches have stairs for ascending and descending.

Can I make a reservation?

Sites can be reserved either through the Cedar Falls Campground website or by phone. Website reservations are requested through a form on the site’s contact page, so you are not able to check availability in real-time. There is no reservation fee. 

If you prefer to make a reservation by phone, the number is (250) 558-1559 and office hours are 9am to 9pm, May 1^st to Labour Day.

Reservations can be cancelled up to three days prior to the reservation date for a cancellation fee of $20 + GST. There are no refunds for cancellations made within three days of the reservation.

Is there anything else I should know?

• • Quiet time is 11pm to 8am
  • 2 pets are allowed per site, free of charge
  • Generators may be operated 9am to 11am and 6pm to 8pm

Some of my thoughts

Generally, I found the Cedar Falls Campground to be a pleasant place to stay. The owners/staff were very nice and accommodating, even offering to let me use a hose or extension cord if the ones I had weren’t long enough to reach the utilities. 

Evenings were quiet and the spacing of the sites made for a pleasant atmosphere. My site was quite small, but one of the owners helped me back into the site so I could maximize any free space.

The verdict

With a wide range of campsite offerings, good amenities and great access to world-class riding, Cedar Falls Campground should be on your radar when visiting the Vernon area. Showers and laundry facilities make it easy for riders to smell nice, even after spending long days in the saddle. And access to electricity and water make longer stays easy and enjoyable. If you’re looking to ride in and around Vernon or SilverStar, I wouldn’t hesitate to book a site here!

Extended reading

For additional area trail information or to make a donation to help build and maintain local trails, visit the North Okanagen Cycling Society (NOCS) website.

If you’re looking for other things to do around Vernon, check out the Tourism Vernon website.

Let me know what you think!

If you get the chance to stay at Cedar Falls Campground and have anything to add, please comment below. Also, please let me know if you’ve found this Cedar Falls Campground review helpful! I can be contacted here and will respond to all correspondence.