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About Kamloops, BC
Kamloops has a population of 90,000 people and is the second-largest city located in the interior region of British Columbia.
It first formed as a trading settlement in the early 1800s. Then, it started to grow with the gold rush in the 1850s and the arrival of the railroad in 1885. Kamloops officially became a city in 1893.
Kamloops is easily accessible off the Trans-Canada Highway, and it has its own airport, about a 15-minute drive from downtown. The city is located about halfway in-between Vancouver, BC, and Calgary, AB. It’s a great place to start or end a road trip, like the beautiful drive from Kamloops to Jasper or Kamloops to Edmonton.
The Best Things to do in Kamloops, BC
1. Explore Riverside Park
Riverside Park is a peaceful green space in the middle of the city!
Riverside Park is one of the most popular green spaces in the city. It’s right on the banks of the Thompson River and only a few minutes from downtown Kamloops.
The City of Kamloops and BCLC is proud to present another great season of Music in the Park from July 1– August 31, 2025. This signature summer classic has been a part of Kamloops’ cultural and entertainment scene since 1994. The summer concert season brings a variety of blues, rock, classics, country, tribute bands, and more that will appeal to the whole family.
Free performances take place at the Riverside Park Rotary Bandshell each evening, 7:00–8:30 pm, weather and air quality permitting. Cancellation of a show is at the discretion of the evening performer. The schedule is subject to change without notice. Parking is free at Riverside Park during July and August (except when there are special events at Sandman Centre).
2. Walk the Rivers Trail
Walk as much or as little as you like, the views are fabulous!
The Rivers Trail is actually an extensive network of around 40 kilometers (25 miles) of trails you can access from different points throughout Kamloops. The official starting point of the trail is in Riverside Park at the High Water Mark Sculpture. From that spot, the trail heads north for 15 kilometers (9.3 miles), west for 16 kilometers (9.9 miles), and east for 3 kilometers (1.9 miles). You don’t have the walk the entire trail and can instead do smaller sections.
The Rivers Trail is beautiful for a walk throughout the year as it’s also cleared of snow in the winter. In the summer, you’ll find people walking, running, and biking on the scenic trails. It’s definitely one of the most popular things to do in Kamloops during the warmer months.
Keep in mind that in early summer some sections of these river trails are subject to flooding when the snow melts. You can check the local news website for updates on closures.
If you’re looking for ideas for some short walks to try, these are a few favorites.
Riverside Park to Pioneer Park – Start along the waterfront, going east and walk through the Japanese Gardens, past the pickleball and tennis courts and enjoy passing by lots of public art displays along the trail.
McArthur Island – Park in the lot by the Sports Centre and cross the street to find the trail. There are two different loops around McArthur Island. The longer loop passes behind a golf course and has nicer views.
Aviation Way – Walk this trail in autumn for gorgeous gold and red leaves on the trees here. You’ll park at the end of Aviation Way near the airport and start the Rivers Trail heading west. During the spring and fall, the river is low enough here to reveal the sandbars that you can also visit.
3. BC Wildlife Park
Photo credit: BC Wildlife Park
This rescue and rehabilitation center is full of amazing animals, most of who have been rescued or were orphaned in the wild. There are around 200 animals at the BC Wildlife Park, including cougars, bears, wolves, birds, reptiles, and the only Kermode Bear in the world in captivity. The Wildlife Park is located on the Trans-Canada Highway, only 15 minutes east of Kamloops.
The Grizzly Bear enclosure is really popular here, and there are daily presentations where you can learn about the bears’ stories and ask an animal keeper questions. Don’t leave without a visit to Clover the Spirit Bear, where you can marvel at this rare white bear.
You can also play at the splash park or playground, or ride on the mini-train through the park. A popular spot for families is the Home Hardware Family Farm, where kids can meet goats, pigs, sheep, chickens, and miniature donkeys.
The BC Wildlife Park is open daily from 9:30 am until 4 pm, and they stay open until 5 pm in the summer. You can also purchase a skip-the-line ticket if you want to beat the crowd. The last admission is a half-hour before closing, but you’ll definitely want more time than that to explore.
4. Kamloops Art Gallery
Photo credit: Kamloops Art Gallery
The Kamloops Art Gallery is the largest art gallery in the Interior of BC. It has more than 3,000 pieces of art in its collection, and as such, is a popular attraction in Kamloops! The gallery is in downtown Kamloops on the corner of Victoria Street and 5th Avenue.
The Kamloops Art Gallery changes with more than a dozen different exhibitions throughout the year. So, it will be a new experience each time you come. The gallery typically features art with a contemporary and historic focus from local, national, and international artists.
The Kamloops Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, open late on Thursday night until 8 pm, and closed Sundays and Mondays.
5. Kenna Cartwright Nature Park
Views from Tower Trail Lookout in Kenna Cartwright Nature Park, Kamloops
On the outskirts of Kamloops, you’ll find Kenna Cartwright Nature Park. It’s the largest municipal park in all of British Columbia. The biggest draw here is the over 40 kilometers (25 miles) of hiking trails. There are some stunning lookout points to stop along the trails to enjoy panoramic views of Kamloops, the Thompson Valley, Kamloops Lake, and the North and South Thompson Rivers.
The trails here vary in difficulty from easy to extremely difficult, so check the trail map to find a trail that works for your plans, whether you want a gentle walk or a challenging bike ride.
One of the slightly more challenging trails to try out is the 5.1 km (3.1 mi) Kenna Cartwright Ridge Trail. It has some of the greatest views overlooking the valley. You’ll find wildflowers here in the spring and may even spot a few deer or a coyote at sunset. This trail does get a bit steeper, so expect a good hike from this one!
The favorite trail, though, is the Tower Trail Lookout. This short 45-minute return hike leads to a fantastic viewpoint of Kamloops. It’s rated as easy to moderate, so it’s perfect for the entire family.
The trails are open in the winter but not cleared of snow. The trails can also close during the spring snowmelt or during an extreme fire risk, so look for any posted signs to see the trail status.
6. Go wine tasting
Tasting wine at Privato Vineyard and Winery!
Photo credit: Privato Vineyard and Winery
The Thompson Valley around Kamloops is also home to four wineries. Make sure to visit at least one while you’re here! We love spending an afternoon at a winery to sip great wine and savor the view.
Monte Creek Winery is the largest winery in Kamloops and offers stunning views of the river valley and acres of vineyard that you can enjoy on their outdoor patio. If you arrive in the winter, their tasting room is open year-round. Try one of their 2018 Chardonnays fermented in French oak or a Cabernet Merlot with hints of plum, orange, and dark chocolate.
Privato Winery & Vineyard is located on an 80-acre Christmas tree farm! The winery focuses on small quantities and specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. If you’re interested in a tasting, book in advance or enjoy a glass on the patio where no reservations are required.
Sagewood Winery is family-owned, and this boutique winery has a relaxed charm to it. They have award-winning wines and offer wine tastings so you can figure out what you like. There’s everything from a Gewurztraminer with tropical flavors of kiwi, mango, and fig or a Rose with ripe strawberry aromas.
For the ultimate wine experience, you’ll be pleased to know that there is also the option to book a winery tour in the Thomson Valley!
There are a few different companies that do this and to decide on which one to go with it will depend on group size, tour inclusion, and cost.
DiVine Tours are a good option if you are traveling solo or as a pair as they allow small groups.
SunStar Shuttle is the way to go if you are traveling in a group.
7. Play a round of golf
Tobiano Golf Course is one of the best in the country!
If you’re looking to play a round of golf while you’re here, Kamloops has the most golf courses per capita in Canada! The unique landscape here offers some challenging courses combined with views that can’t be beaten.
Tee off overlooking Kamloops Lake at Tobiano Golf. This course is picturesque as it’s set on the bluffs above the lake, with rugged canyons shaping the course’s design. Watch out for the 7th hole, where you’ll have to make a tee shot right over a vast canyon!
For a desert feel, try the course at Bighorn Golf and Country Club. It’s easy to get to only five minutes from downtown Kamloops. The natural sage, rolling hills, and stunning views of the Thompson Valley make for an enjoyable game. You might even spot one of the big horned sheep who live around the course!
The fairways at The Dunes at Kamloops are situated at what used to be the bottom of the North Thompson River. Now, each hole is carved into sand dunes and greens to challenge both beginner and experienced golfers. The unique course here has been recognized with two different holes named in Score Golf’s Top 100 Holes in Canada.
8. Visit Sun Peaks Resort in the summer
Sun Peaks Village!
In the summer, Sun Peak Resort is still a fun place to visit! Explore the mountain biking trails at the Bike Park, with trails carved into the mountainside. Or hike one of 16 different trails, either starting at the village or taking a chairlift up and starting mid-mountain.
We recommend hiking here during Alpine Blossom Season (typically mid-July to mid-August) when the wildflower meadows here showcase a kaleidoscope of colors.
Another great warm-weather activity here is BC’s highest-elevation golf course. The greens are almost 4,000 feet above sea level and are surrounded by stunning mountain views. The course itself weaves alongside the village at the bottom of the three mountains. It’s a nice escape on a hot day, as typically, Sun Peaks is about 10 degrees cooler than Kamloops.
Seriously, don’t miss Sun Peaks in the summer just because the snow has left for the year!
9. Kamloops Heritage Railway
History buffs will love this museum!
Step back in time aboard a 1912 steam locomotive called the Spirit of Kamloops with the Kamloops Heritage Railway. The KHR 2141 steam locomotive was restored to working condition by a group of volunteers after sitting in a city park for more than three decades. It even has the original bell, whistle, and nameplate!
For safety concerns, all visits to the park require booking a guided heritage park tour which includes a look at many different historic trains here, decommissioned cars, and you’ll get an up-close look at the Spirit of Kamloops locomotive.
Note: You used to be able to book a ride on this train in the summer or around certain holidays but unfortunately the park is no longer running the train rides on the tracks due to lack of track accessibility.
10. Enjoy ice cream at Scoopz
Seriously, this is the best ice cream!
Scoopz is a small ice cream shop located right next to Riverside Park on Lorne Street in downtown Kamloops. It is simply a takeaway place without seating, but they offer 48 different flavors of ice cream and sorbet. Flavors range from your traditional chocolate to Shark Attack to an Orange Float.
My best advice is to visit Scoopz and grab some ice cream to enjoy as you walk the Rivers Trail or relax at the nearby beach. Or, get a tub to go and bring home with you.
I must warn you, though, that the servings at Scoopz are generous. Their “single scoop” in a cup is more like a triple scoop (I’m not complaining!) Expect to pay about $7 CAD for a single scoop. They also offer alternatives to just plain ice cream, including milkshakes and ice cream floats.
11. Get out on the water
There is plenty of space to speed around!
Kamloops is a fun location to explore while you’re on the water! See the city from a new viewpoint by renting a kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or canoe from Kamloops Watersport Rentals.
What’s great about them is they offer full-day rentals ranging from around $75-90 CAD, so there’s no rush to end your time on the water. But if you don’t have that much time on your hands or want to spend less their half-day rentals are only $25 CAD! The instructors also help you plan a route along the South Thompson River and teach you paddling basics before heading out.
There are also TONS of lakes around Kamloops if that’s more your thing. Often the larger lakes like Kamloops Lake will have local places where you can rent a kayak or SUP and go for a paddle.
12. Drink delicious craft beer
We love Noble Pig Brewing!
Kamloops isn’t only home to great wineries. There are excellent breweries for those of us who love craft beer.
For a railroad-inspired brewery, head over to Iron Road Brewing near Thompson Rivers University. The brewery offers a 60-person taproom where you can catch live music and see the brewing process up close while enjoying a Locomotive Lager or Loopline IPA.
Noble Pig Brewhouse is good for dinner and drinks as, along with their craft beer, they have a “made from scratch” kitchen with excellent meal options or fun sharing dishes. There’s a rotating list of brews here, along with their standards inspired by the Three Little Pigs – Straw House Munich Helles Lager, Stick House Belgian Pepper Ale, and Stone House Mocha Porter.
Bright Eye Brewing is known for serving beers right from the tank and innovative and tasty craft beer combinations. There’s a hefeweizen inspired by strawberry-banana milkshakes or an IPA with blueberry puree and vanilla. They also make an excellent grilled cheese!
13. Erin Valley Stables horseback riding
Photo credit: Erin Valley Riding Stable
For a horseback riding adventure, try a trail ride through the beautiful landscape just outside Kamloops. Erin Valley Riding Stables is about 15 minutes from downtown Kamloops. Just head east on Highway 1, turn onto Barnhartvale Road, and you’ll find the stables across from the Eaglepoint Golf Course.
Trail rides here start as soon as the trails are dry in the spring. You’ll then get to ride through the scenic grasslands and sagebrush hills around the property. All the trail rides are led by an experienced guide, and there’s a wide variety of trails and horses for beginners through to advanced riders.
Trail rides need to be booked in advance by calling 250-573-5442, Make sure you bring boots or running shoes to wear while on the ride!
If you’re in Kamloops for a longer stay, Erin Valley also offers a six-week lesson program. The lessons offer step-by-step instructions to help teach you how to ride and communicate with your horse.
14. Explore Downtown Kamloops
Walk the cute streets and explore!
Spend a day or at least an afternoon strolling through Downtown Kamloops! You’ll find unique stores, trendy boutiques, and great restaurants.
Check out Crooked Crown or Ms. Whimsy’s Gift Emporium for one-of-a-kind gifts and hand-made items. For your closet, add MainStreet Clothing to the list to check out with its focus on the latest trends for men and women. If you’re looking for a piece of local art to take home, visit Kamloops Artisan Bazaar or The Art we are Café to find pieces made by local and Indigenous artists.
If you’re hungry, downtown Kamloops has you covered. There are places for casual family get-togethers, fun pubs to hang out in, or fancier restaurants for a special night out. For fine dining, check out Brownstone Restaurant, located in a beautiful century-old building. If you’re craving Japanese food, Jacob’s Noodle & Cutlet is known for its homemade sauces and yummy noodle soups. For a relaxed place that’s also great for families, Frick and Frack Taphouse is a good choice – their garlic fries and milkshakes come highly recommended!
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