Where to catch the fall colours before they’re gone in Kamloops and the Okanagan
Now is the time to catch Kamloops and the Okanagan in all of its fall colour splendour.
Hard frosts last week has accelerated the changing colours in the region’s foliage, which appear poised to peak through this week throughout the region.
There are lots of places to go to get a good look at fall colours around Kamloops or throughout the Okanagan valley. Here are a few suggestions for a full tour of your own.
KAMLOOPS
The Hike Kamloops website describes 14 different hiking trails in and around the city where fall foliage is visible.
For a complete list, visit the Hike Kamloops website.
Hello BC recommends a tour of the Lac du Bois grasslands for the “surreal red foliage that surrounds the lakes in October."
Sun Peaks also offers rich autumn colours and sweeping mountain views.
SHUSWAP
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.
VERNON
Hello BC also recommends the Davison Orchards Country Village for a fall orchard and garden tour.
Vernon area parks are also a good bet for fall colour viewing, including Ellison Provincial Park, the Okanagan Rail trail from Coldstream to Kelowna, the historic O’Keefe Ranch or Kalamalka Lake.
KELOWNA
The Kelowna area offers countless opportunities to see fall colours at their Okanagan best.
It's a wondrous time to take in a Kelowna trail or two, according to Tourism Kelowna.com
There’s Mission Creek Greenway and Scenic Canyon Park, Angel Springs Trail, and Glen Canyon Regional Park trails, all offering scenic fall hikes in Kelowna and West Kelowna.
It’s also great time of year to take a trip up to the Myra Canyon trestles on the KVR rail trail, where wildlife and beautiful fall colours abound.
Beyond the city are orchards and wineries of East Kelowna, Fintry provincial park along Westside Road and you can't go wrong with the Gellatly Nut Farm in West Kelowna.
PENTICTON
Further south in Penticton and the South Okanagan, offtracktravel.ca suggests a hike up McIntyre Bluff will be rewarded with some great fall scenery, as will a trek up Giant’s Head Mountain in Summerland or the Naramata and Skaha Bench vineyards.
Closer to the city, check out the local parks for colourful autumn scenes.
If hiking isn’t your thing, you might be interested in Valhalla Helicopters fall colour tours, with flights over some of the Central Okanagan’s most colourful sites.
See the Valhalla Helicopters website for further details.
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