Osoyoos is a place like no other.
Located in the Okanagan Valley, the Town of Osoyoos is home to a desert, vineyards, mountains and Canada’s warmest lake. Whether you want to wine and dine or enjoy the gorgeous outdoors, it’s a family-friendly 4.5 hour drive from Vancouver.
If you’re looking to listen and learn, start your adventure at the Osoyoos Desert Centre. The non-profit organization is celebrating 25 years, and you can walk across a 1.5 km boardwalk that lets you explore 67 acres of biodiversity.
“It’s an important habitat in the South Okanagan because it is at-risk.” says Jayme Friedt, Executive Director of the Osoyoos Desert Centre.
“One of the things that we try to educate people about is why it’s important to preserve these kinds of habitats. It looks like it’s just this dry grassland with not much happening, but there are 42 species that are listed on the Canada Species at Risk Act that rely on this environment.”
“Volunteers and researchers have been working to bring it back to its natural state,” Friedt adds.
Whether you are self-guided or walking with a conservation guide like Ripley Shubert, you’ll learn about the unique shrubbery, and you might even spot some wildlife as well.
“It’s technically not a desert. It’s a semi-arid shrub-steppe but it meets a lot of the common characteristics of a desert,” Shubert says.
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Make sure to bring some water, sunscreen and a big hat because it’ll get hot real quick! If you want to cool down, drive over to Osoyoos Lake.
For over 20 years, Wakepilot has called Osoyoos Lake home. With three convenient locations, you can wakeboard, seadoo, paddle board, waterski or just hang out on the water.
“If you haven’t done anything, we have awesome coaches who can take you out and show you any sport that you’re looking to do on the water,” says Kailee Jenks, Wakepilot general manager.
“If you just want to chill on the pontoon boat. No experience needed.”
One of the Wakepilot coaches is Joey Gurr, a wakeboarding pro who is a member on Team Canada’s wakeboarding team.
“This lake gets to about 75 or 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer making it enjoyable, warm, beautiful place for people to come visit,” Gurr says.
After a day of adventure and exploration, a quick 20 minute drive from Osoyoos will take you to District Wine Village in Oliver where you can have a world-class culinary experience with 12 wineries, one brewery, one distillery, and a restaurant. Depending on when you visit, the multi-purpose amphitheatre hosts live performances that can accommodate up to 610 people.
“We really wanted an inviting place for customers and consumers to come and enjoy local artisan producers. All of these winery buildings, brewery, and distillery are producing all of the product on-site,” says Michael Daley, Director of Operations.
It’s a first of its kind in Canada and it’s an architectural marvel as well. It’s the home of wineries like Nk’Mip Cellars, Apricus Cellars, Gneiss Wines, and Neighbourhood Brewing
“We got inspired by the round concept. It’s a true gathering space where no one has a bad seat,” says Matt Kenyon, General Manager of Greyback Construction, who took inspiration from Scandinavian architecture.
“It’s a beautiful spot and right in the heart of wine country.”
Whether you’re just visiting Osoyoos for a quick trip or staying longer term, the town is a perfect local escape with the warmest welcome.
Make Osoyoos your summer vacation destination, visit here for more information.