Merritt, B.C. is a western town nestled in the centre of the Nicola Valley surrounded by hundreds of lakes, vast grassland fields, rolling hills and ranchlands. The community is officially called, " The Country Music Capital of Canada" and is host to the Merritt Country Music Festival. A music event in British Columbia celebrating cowboy hats, western boots and country music.

Explore the downtown core of the community walking under the shade of trees, side-stepping sidewalk billboard signs, while following the "Walk of Stars". A walking route in town honoring the country music stars who have played at the Merritt Country Music Festival. A route that is also complimented by a large selection of colorful murals painted on many of the downtown buildings.

Merritt B.C. is easily accessible from four major highways - Hwy 5 and 5A, Hwy 97C and Hwy 8. It is a good destination in the Nicola Valley region for tourists because the community provides many of the amenities necessary for travel. The community amenities include accommodations, restaurants, coffee houses, gas stations, banks, laundromats, retail stores, gift shops, grocery stores, airport, taxi cabs, attractions, etc.

In the backcountry regions the grasslands, the sagebrush and the rolling hills provide the landscape and environment for the western cowboy to thrive. It is here in the valley of rolling fields, surrounded by lakes, that some of Canada's most successful cattle, bison and fallow deer ranches operate. Some guest ranches provide horseback riding, tours, cattle drives, restaurants and accommodations.

The domino of rolling hills in the Merritt BC region give way to gravel roads leading to valleys of fresh water lakes. Hundreds of lakes populate the backcountry hills attracting many to the area for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, birdwatching, off roading, camping, horseback riding, wind surfing, boating, water skiing and swimming in the summer.

Some of the lakes in the region enjoy drive-in campgrounds, while others lead to a hiking trail accessing the lake. All driving routes leading to the lakes vary with some routes following paved roads while others travel along rough gravel roads. Easy access lakes in the region include Nicola, Marquart and Lundbom Lakes.

In the winter, after the snow falls and the lakes freeze over, people enjoy cross country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and snowshoeing. Trails in the Helmer Lake area north of Merritt is designated for snowmobiling in the colder months while cross country skiers like the Kane Valley XC ski trails south of town.