Itinerary 9: Fall Colours in the Thompson Okanagan
When to go: September and October
The Thompson Okanagan region, with its rivers, lakes, and mountain views, is a wonderful area to experience fall colours by car, foot, or bike. Please always check Know Before You Go for a summary of important travel-related information.
Link to Itinerary
Itinerary Snapshot:
Day 1: Arrive at Kelowna International Airport. Start the day with a trip, on foot or by bicycle, to the Myra Canyon Trestles on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. A must-do in Kelowna is wine-touring, especially during the autumn grape harvest. Options for tours include Cheers Okanagan, who provide wheelchair-accessible tours throughout the Southern Okanagan, and Okanagan Foodie Tours. Tourism Kelowna’s Wine Trails Online Guide has more information about the dozens of wineries near Kelowna. Spend the night.
Day 2: After breakfast, head north to Vernon. To explore downtown Vernon and foodies can check out the Vernon Tasting Trail for a self-guided culinary expedition. Alternatively, join the Vernon Downtown Discovery Tour for a three-hour guided tour of murals, historic sites, and boutiques while tasting delicious foods along the way. Enjoy an orchard and garden tour at Davison Orchards Country Village, then visit Planet Bee. Tourism Vernon has dining and accommodation suggestions.
Day 3: Travel to the Shuswap region. North of the Okanagan, this landscape of lakes and rolling farmland borders one of the world’s largest inland temperate rainforests. The Adams River, which flows through Tsútswecw Provincial Park (Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park) has one of the largest sockeye salmon runs in North America. Overnight in Salmon Arm or Chase. For listings, see Tourism Shuswap.
Day 4: Shuswap to Sun Peaks. Explore Salmon Arm on Shuswap Lake. The Shuswap region is home to about 20 provincial parks and is a popular kayaking and paddle-boarding destination. Depart Salmon Arm for Sun Peaks. This all-season mountain resort north of Kamloops is a popular summer and fall destination, with vibrant autumn colours, crisp mountain air, and sweeping alpine views. Overnight at Sun Peaks. For accommodation options, check out Tourism Sun Peaks.
Day 5: Explore Sun Peaks. The resort’s Tyrolean-style alpine village has about 20 shops, 22 restaurants with plenty of dining options. Depending on the weather, many summer activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, yoga, and golfing at BC’s highest golf course are available until early to mid-October, or until the snow falls.
Day 6: From Sun Peaks take Highway #5 along the North Thompson River towards Clearwater and Wells Gray Provincial Park. Clearwater, the gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park, is 20 minutes from Little Fort. For accommodation in the Clearwater area, see Tourism Wells Gray. Popular eateries in the area include, the Hop n’ Hog Tap & Smokehouse,the Old Caboose Restaurant & Pub, and the restaurants at the Helmcken Falls Lodge and the Wells Gray Inn.
Day 7: Spend the day exploring Wells Gray Provincial Park: hiking, canoeing, fishing, and photographing the park’s over 40 famous waterfalls. Some of the most accessible cascades are Spahats Falls, Moul Falls, Dawson Falls and Helmcken Falls. If you’re continuing northeast along Highway #5 between Wells Gray Park and the Rockies, stop for a burger at Avola Log Inn Pub, before heading to Blue River and Valemount – both have great accommodation and outdoor activity options.
Day 8: Return to Kamloops and enjoy a self-guided downtown heritage walking tour, sample the wines at some local wineries, or visit the BC Wildlife Park. Dinner options in Kamloops range from brew pubs to fine dining. Overnight in Kamloops. For more information about attractions, dining, and accommodation, see Tourism Kamloops.
Day 9: Depart from Kamloops Airport by Westjet and Air Canada. Alternatively, it takes about 4.5 hours to drive back to Vancouver.