Kamloops, BC, Canada Tourism
Thompson - Shuswap, Nicola Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Kamloops, B.C., Canada is a year round recreation destination situated on the shores of the Thompson River in the Nicola Valley region of British Columbia, Canada. The community is the main commercial centre servicing the whole Thompson - Shuswap region. It is also the main transportation hub connecting the region to the rest of the province.

It seems everything meets in Kamloops, British Columbia. The mighty North and South Thompson Rivers merge in the centre of the community. The Trans Canada and Coquihalla Highways meet in Kamloops. Canada's two major railway lines converge in the community and, even the birds meet in Kamloops with hundreds a year visiting the South Thompson River estuary region for food and nesting.

Kamloops to the Shuswap First Nation people is spelt "Kahm-o-loops" meaning "where the rivers meet". And in 1985 Kamloops started referring to itself as the "Tournament Capital of BC". Provincially speaking, Kamloops is part of "Lake Country" of the Thompson-Nicola Valley sometimes referred to as British Columbia's "High Country" and/or "Ranchland Country".

Kamloops is surrounded by an environment heavily influenced in western imagery. A western landscape filled with over 200+ lakes, hills dressed in sage, vast rolling grasslands, tumbleweeds, looming mountains, alpine valleys, roaring rivers, crashing creeks and a high number of horse ranches and cowboy hats.

Take some time to enjoy the 40 kilometre long Rivers Trail which connects the community and most of the local parks and surrounding neighbourhoods together. Some of the connected downtown Parks include Riverside Park, Pioneer Park and Peterson Creek Nature Park .

The parks in Kamloops vary with some focusing on flower gardens, water parks, hiking trails, playgrounds, sandy beaches, boat launches, wading pools, waterfalls and more. Most parks post interpretive signs and provide picnic tables and/or viewing benches.

The parks around Kamloops provide endless days of adventure with, in many cases, many amenities. The Kamloops region enjoys over 80+ parks. Sun Peaks is one of the more popular recreation destinations year round for snow and sun activities. Other popular tourism destinations to visit in the sunshine months include Paul Lake, the BC Wildlife Park, Lac de Bois Grasslands Park, Lac Le Jeune and McArthur Island.

The developed parks, the hundreds of lakes and the wilderness backcountry mountains provide plenty of room for horseback riding, sport & fly fishing, golfing (20 courses), birdwatching, canoeing, kayaking, river rafting, hiking, boating, mountain biking, offroading, rollerblading, rock climbing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and more.

The main street in Downtown Kamloops, British Colubia is a nice pedestrian stroll zone. Take a walk along cobblestone sidewalks in the shade of trees, under hanging flower pots and side stepping the sidewalk signs and floral displays. Take some time to visit the restaurants, coffee houses with outdoor patios, art galleries, retail stores, gift shops, government buildings, stone statues, river parks and more.

Kamloops is a good choice for travelers looking for a good selection of amenities. The number of gas stations, banks, grocery stores, restaurants, big box stores, laundromats, accommodations, entertainment, attractions, and activities is plentiful.