McConnell Lake

Mary Putnam

The Real Kamloops Experience

A man and child enjoy the beach at Overlander Park in Kamloops, standing in the water near the sand, with the sun setting behind a bridge in the background.

Overlander Beach

Dylan Sherrard

1. Overlander Park
0:00 Kick things off at Overlander Park: this expansive local beach is featured at multiple points in the video. You’ll find plenty of soft sand and sunshine at Overlander Park, so don’t forget the sunscreen! Explore more local beaches here.

2. Bright Eye Brewing
0:05 Stop in at Bright Eye Brewing on Tranquille St. for some of the best local beer and tasty eats. We keep coming back here for a reason: Bright Eye never disappoints.

Two people pause on a golf green as three big horn sheep pass in between them and the camera.

Bighorn Golf & Country Club

Mary Putnam

3. Erin Valley Stables
0:13 Cowboy up at Erin Valley Riding Stables in Barnhartvale for a riding experience you’ll never forget. Erin Valley welcomes all riders, so whether you’re a certified equestrian or it’s your first time in a stable, this is the place to be. 

4. Big Horn Golf & Country Club
0:16 Kamloops is home to some truly stunning golf courses. Join our friends here at Big Horn Golf & Country Club, found 5 minutes from downtown Kamloops, or visit the Kamloops Golf & Country Club, seen later in the video at 1:36. 

A child in winter gear grins at the camera while riding a tube down a snowy hill. The background is blurred indicating high speed.

Harper Mountain Ski and Snowboard

Dylan Sherrard

5. Harper Mountain
0:19 Winter just hits differently in Kamloops: with Harper Mountain a quick half-hour from town, the whole family can enjoy a day on the slopes. Not ready for the chairlift? Harper offers tubing (seen at 1:09), plus snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and more. Gear rentals are available on-site, as is lunch in the lodge. 

6. Brynn’s Bakery
0:21 Brynn’s Bakery is always ready with some of the best sourdough in town. Stop by Victoria Street to pick up something fresh out of the oven.

A group of people sit inside an art gallery, considering a range of indigenous art prints.

Kamloops Art Gallery

Mary Putnam

7. Kamloops Art Gallery
0:24  The Kamloops Art Gallery hosts curated exhibitions and creative programming that engage and inspire the community. Come explore the galleries, or learn something new through their studio programs, talks, and tours.

 
8. Riverside Lawn Bowling Club
0:27 You can find the Riverside Lawn Bowling Club downtown in scenic Riverside Park through the warm months. Drop-ins are welcome, and you’ll find a range of casual, social, and competitive opportunities to meet your needs! 

Two people ride mountain bikes through grassland hills with the sun setting in the distance.

Kamloops Bike Ranch

BC Ale Trail

9. Hacienda Cielito Lindo
0:31 Hacienda Cielito Lindo lovingly makes all their food from scratch with authentic Mexican ingredients. Owners Ana Rangel and her husband Rodrigo Chavarin infuse each dish with the ethos that mealtime is the most important time of the day and the belief that flavoursome food enriches good times with family and friends. They also regularly have live music! 

10. Kamloops Bike Ranch
0:33 You can’t talk about Kamloops without talking about mountain biking! There are bike parks and designated trails across the region, so you’re sure to find something for all your riders. Special shoutout to local favourite, the Kamloops Bike Ranch in Valleyview – this designated bike park features downhill trails, a jump park, skills area, and pump track. Shuttles are available.

Two people paddleboard on a smooth lake, with hills in the distance and a clear sky above.

Kamloops Lake

Kathryn McLaren

11. Kamloops Back Roads
0:37 There are lots of off-roading areas in Kamloops. Be sure to visit the Back Roads Map website to learn where you can hit some dirt.  

12. Kamloops Lake
0:43 There are so many beautiful lakes around Kamloops, you can honestly just pick a direction and go! Kamloops Lake itself (seen in the video) is a great choice for paddling. For general public access, Bruker’s Marina is a great choice that includes rentals and boat launch facilities.  If you continue to the southernmost end of the lake, Steelhead Provincial Park offers convenient beach access. Check out our website for other nearby paddling options. 

A group of women in traditional secwépemc dress approach the powwow arbour with a crowd of attendees.

Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Special Events Facility (the Arbour)

Mary Putnam

13. Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc
0:45 The city of Kamloops is located on the traditional lands of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc within Secwepemcúl'ecw, the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc People. To learn more about our local indigenous culture and history, you can explore more options here. Don’t miss the Kamloopa Powwow, on from June 28th-30th,  

14. McConnell Lake
1:06 Ready to jump in? McConnell Lake offers are great public beach area. Not only can you take a dip, but you can also take a hike at this lake. Check out more hikes in Kamloops.

People sit on benches and walk through a park along the river. The path is lined with lamp posts. The sun is setting in the background, creating a lot of golden light.

Riverside Park

Olsen Imaging

17. Riverside Park
1:54 Last but not least, Riverside Park has something for everyone. You’ll find various festivals and events here throughout the year, and the outdoor stage frequently hosts music and other performances. This is a great spot for a picnic, as much of the park is shaded by large trees, with open fields and a life-guard-on-duty beach for the sun-seekers. The playground and waterpark are legendary with local kids, and if the local food trucks or concession stand aren’t to your taste, you’re within walking distance of downtown. Kamloops Water Sport Rentals operates out of the concession building, so you can try your hand at paddling the river.

What's your Real Kamloops Experience?

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