Where to find the prettiest fall colours in Kamloops, Okanagan

There’s a brief and fleeting beauty to be appreciated across the Interior during the few weeks of the year when the leaves on many trees change colour.

Many of the deciduous trees in the Okanagan grow within orchards, following man-made patterns through valleys and hillsides.

A good view of agricultural landscape can be found at the Anarchist Mountain lookout point near Osoyoos.

“The elevation offers a perfect vantage point to see the entire town enveloped in the colours of the season due to the nearby vineyards and foliage,” according to Destination Osoyoos.

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And similar to Anarchist Mountain, the top of McIntyre Bluff – surrounded by orchards and vineyards – offers “an all-encompassing view of the fall colours as far as the eye can see.”

Sometimes the patterns look like oil paintings, like up Mount Baldy Road in the South Okanagan, where bright yellow Trembling Aspen trees can be found among a forest of mostly evergreens.

The Mount Baldy Lookout trail offers a “spectacular” view of the “brilliant yellow” trees, according to the Trail Alliance.

In West Kelowna, Gellatly Bay has red trees that can be seen from a mile away, according to Visitwestside.com, and Shannon Lake Regional Park is a hidden gem where “brilliant and rich” colours come alive on sunny afternoons.

To find some of the most vibrancy in Kelowna, the Mission Creek Greenway and Scenic Canyon Regional Park is described by Tourism Kelowna as an easy hike with spectacular fall colours.

“The deciduous trees provide a vibrant colourful scene nestled in the shadow of Layer Cake Mountain and rimming Mission Creek.”

For those who enjoy exercise, HelloBC recommends walking or cycling the "easy" Okanagan Rail Trail between Kelowna and Vernon.

"Vernon in the fall means taking in autumn colours along its many lakes and trails," according to HelloB.C. Stroll through brilliant golden foliage along the north shore of Okanagan Lake at Kin Beach and go for lakeside nature walks in Kalamalka Lake and Ellison Provincial Parks."

Armstrong and Enderby in the North Okanagan "charming small communities full of local character and autumn colours," as HelloB.C. describes them.

The Adams River area is a good bet at Tsutswecw Provincial Park, where one can view the returning salmon or hike the numerous trails in the park, which have viewpoints along the river. Surrounded by water and woods, Blind Bay is sure to be a good spot to see fall colours, right from the heart of the town. Head up north on the lake to Seymour Arm. Away from the busier parts of the Shuswap, Seymour Arm is the place to take in the serene fall scenes.

In Kamloops, HelloBC.com recommends walking along the Rivers Trail in the city to enjoy the best of the fall colours. And Sun Peaks Resort offers horseback rides through the resort for some high-elevation views of the changing leaves.

If you know any must-see views of the changing fall colours in Kamloops or the Okanagan that you think should be included send us an email.

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