Itinerary 10: Autumn in the Okanagan & the Kootenay Rockies
When to go: September & October
British Columbia’s forests, among the most ecologically diverse in the world, display a stunning array of autumn colours, especially in the Thompson Okanagan and Kootenay Rockies regions. Fall temperatures can be mild, so conditions are ideal to enjoy the outdoors. Please always check Know Before You Go for a summary of important travel-related information.
Link to Itinerary
Itinerary Snapshot:
Day 1: Kelowna a four-hour drive from Vancouver, is a great place for a lakeside stroll, shopping, dining, golfing, cycling, wine touring, lakecruises and much. Cheers Okanagan and Distinctively Kelowna offer a range of tours, do a self-guided tour on a bike along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail.
Day 2: Go from Kelowna to Osoyoos (Distance: 123 km / 76 mi). A top destination for wine lovers is the new District Wine Village just north of Oliver. In Osoyoos, visit the NK'MIP Desert Cultural Centre, featuring views of Canada’s only desert. Spend time at Spirit Ridge Resort with its restaurant The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry, reflecting the significance of Indigenous cultures here. Osoyoos has many options for outdoor activities, wine tasting, dining, and accommodations.
Day 3: Osoyoos to Nelson (Distance: 264 km / 165 mi). Make a stop at Greenwood, where more than 60 heritage buildings and local museum with the history of the Japanese Canadians interned in the area during WWI. Next you’ll hit Grand Forks, where the Kettle and Granby Rivers converge. Try the Borscht Bowl, stop for a coffee at Joga’s Expresso Café, or try some Russian, Greek or Italian food at the Omega Restaurant. The Boundary Museum & Interpretive Centre, set in a historic school, offers insights into Grand Forks’ Doukhobor heritage.