The Tournament Capital of British Columbia is known throughout Canada as the home of various sporting championships. But there are plenty of reasons to visit Kamloops even if you’re not involved in the main events. The modest city of Kamloops houses 100,000 people at the confluence of the two branches of the Thompson River and is in the plain between the Coast Mountains and the Canadian Rockies - so it has a wonderful backdrop whichever way you turn. With sandstone canyons, evergreen forests, and more than 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, Kamloops is understandably a significant tourist destination.
Areas & Neighbourhoods in Kamloops
Downtown — The city centre of Kamloops is on the southern side of the river and offers about 16 blocks of shops, restaurants and historic buildings. There’s a regular farmers’ market and this is the place to go for good food or a night out with some of the friendliest people in a country renowned for its hospitality.
The River Parks — Riverside Park, Waterfront Park and Pioneer Park are all a short walk from Downtown and offer a great way of enjoying the Thompson river. There’s a water park which is perfect on sunny days – and it’s nearly always sunny in Kamloops.
Lac du Bois Grasslands — The rolling hillocks of the Lac du Bois are great for walks and mountain biking, and form a significant chunk of the area around Kamloops. The nature reserve is home to moose, snakes and abundant bird life.
Things to See in Kamloops
Kamloop’s natural beauty is best seen offset by its piercing blue skies and it has plenty to offer the active holidaymaker. There are ravines, canyons, grasslands and more than 100 lakes all around the city. Try the MacArthur Island Park for something close to town, or visit Sun Peaks for mountain pursuits. The Kamloops Heritage Railway runs steam engine powered trains along the tracks from the station in the city centre.
Things to Do in Kamloops
With so much emphasis on sport, it’s no surprise that there’s plenty of opportunities to take part in all kinds of pastimes. Kamloops is a golfer’s paradise, with almost a dozen courses in the vicinity. The Thompson river and multitudinous lakes provide the opportunity to try fishing, kayaking, canoeing, white water rafting and inner-tubing. Winter is equally action-packed. The plains afford the opportunity to strap on a set of snowshoes or cross-country skis. In Sun Peaks resort there are gondolas and ski lifts for boarders and skiers, with tobogganing for younger visitors. If that’s not enough, there’s also snowmobiling, horse-drawn sleigh rides and ice fishing.
