 The
Thompson Okanagan truly has everything needed in a British
Columbian paradise. Warm, sunny valleys, narrow lakes with
sandy beaches and lush, fruit laden orchards make it a vacation
hot spot. People come to relax by the  water, golf championship
courses and sip regional wines. When boating, water-skiing
and swimming are not in season, the region's mountains become
some of the province's best snow-sport resorts. With so much
to offer, you can be sure of a vacation that is either adventurous
or relaxed - but never boring!
 Thompson Okanagan in British
Columbia's interior is where you can ski, play a round of
golf, horseback ride, tour
a historic
site and visit a winery all in one day. From the very beginning,
this region’s liveliness has come from the land. Nomadic
First Nations people originally inhabited the area until European
settlers established cattle ranches, farms and mining operations.
Today, the fertile region is world renowned for its vineyards
and orchards. The landscape varies wildly from boreal forests
in the north to deserts in the south. In the middle is where
the wine and fruit-producing valley sits. This 200km (124mi)
area is bounded by the Cascade Mountains to the west and the
Monashee Mountains to the east. Other unique features of the
region include Helmcken Falls – a waterfall higher than
Niagara Falls, Mount Robson 3954 m (12972 feet) – the
highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, and Canada’s
only true desert environment. Each year, travelers give acclaim
to the
Thompson Okanagan region for its historic richness, agricultural
abundance, and spectacular beauty.
 Central Okanagan
Thousands of vacationers flock to the Okanagan Valley year-round
to experience the area’s boundless potential for activity
whether it be visiting wineries, golfing, skiing or just relaxing
on the sandy beaches. The Okanagan is one of Canada’s
most desired destinations and no wonder. Fresh, clean lakes
flow from north to south offering up incredible beaches and
water sports galore. Mountainous terrain is home to some of
the best ski resorts around. Lush orchards heavy with fruit
and first-class golf courses are everywhere. As well, many
wineries and miles of vineyards serve as a testament to a thriving
wine industry. It’s a truly great place where you can
do just about anything, or nothing at all. More
 Gold Country
The Gold Country sub-region in British Columbia is a land
filled with rich gold mining history, captivating prospectors’ tales
and thrilling accounts of the Wild West. Visitors and historians
journey to this open land to experience life as it was in the
gold rush era. Outdoor adventurers come here for the great
scenery and abundant wildlife. Cloud-tucked mountains and deep
plunging valleys along with sprawling lakes and white-water
rivers are home to historic towns that provide everything for
the modern traveller. More »
 Kamloops Country
Kamloops Country is the heart of British Columbia and home
to the second largest city in the Interior. Visitors discover
a landscape of scenic Western images: sun-drenched grasslands,
cattle ranches, dry sagebrush and mountain vistas. Nestled
in the high country of the Thompson Plateau, Kamloops Country
is BC’s adventure destination. With exceptional terrain
and excellent facilities, this is an inspired setting for hiking,
mountain biking, golfing, river-rafting, fishing, wildlife
viewing, skiing, snowmobiling and much more. More »
 Nicola Valley
The Nicola Valley embodies all that Canada is renowned for:
vast, wide-open space, majestic snowcapped mountainscapes,
fresh air and clean waterways. Those who appreciate the great
outdoors just love this place as the distinct landscape boasts
a limitless supply of outdoor adventure. There’s something
for everyone in Nicola Valley, where world-class guest ranches
offer a look at how the B.C. interior came to be cattle country. More »
 North Okanagan
The North Okanagan is rich in its variety of terrain and ecology,
with landscapes that vary from open, semi-arid grasslands
to high elevation sub-alpine meadows, to dark, moist temperate
rainforests, often only a few kilometers apart! This varied
range enables the North Okanagan to support a myriad of
lush plant and animal life. Located between the Okanagan Valley
to the south and Shuswap to the north, this area is accessed
by Highway 97A and 97B. Vibrant and diverse towns and communities
are nestled conveniently along Highway 97A, making North
Okanagan ideal for family vacations. More »
 Shuswap
For many people it’s a summer ritual – pack up
the car, load the kids and head to the lake. The Shuswap is,
without a doubt, one of the most well-known and renowned areas
for lakes. With over 1,000 km (660mi) of clean, freshwater
lakes to explore – in addition to the Monashee Mountains
as a backdrop – it’s the ideal setting for leisurely
cruising on a houseboat. On land one can bask in the sun on
one of the many sandy beaches, play 18 holes of golf, enjoy
an afternoon of wine touring or take in a festival. It’s
the perfect vacation – away from it all and closer to
what’s truly important – family and friends. More »
 South Okanagan
South Okanagan is where people come to find dry, hot summertime
weather. The entire region is magnificently scenic with rolling
hills, pristine lakes and eternally blue skies. It is also
home to Canada’s only true desert terrain, providing
a variety of rare cacti, wild flowers, and animals that make
their homes in this unique landscape. Above all, the weather
here is ideal for agriculture with an average of only 250mm
(10 in) of rainfall and over 2,000 hrs of sunlight a year.
Many roadside fruit stands offer organically grown cherries,
peaches, apples, apricots, and other fruits and vegtables.
But the great abundance of sunshine also makes provides ideal
conditions for a wide array of outdoor fun –boating,
rock climbing mountain biking, fishing, and camping are just
some of the area’s recreation activities. Outdoor summer
leisure pursuits continue well into the mild winters when the
peaks of the Monashee Mountains start to accumulate powder.
South Okanagan is truly alive year round giving visitors a
lasting impression that keeps them coming back year after year. More »  Wells Gray to Mount Robson
Wells Gray to Mount Robson is a sub region of pure wilderness
made for fishing, hiking and canoeing. The two dominant features
of the area are the provincial parks for which the region is
named. There is no shortage of outdoor adventure in this area
as the captivating landscape teems with Mother Nature’s
finest features. More »
Links
Need a place to stay or camp while exploring the Thompson
Okanagan?
Discover the Thompson Okanagan Sub Regions
Explore the Communities of the Thompson Okanagan
Tourism Region Contact
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
2280-D Leckie Road
Kelowna, BC V1X 6G6
Phone: (250) 860-5999
Toll Free: 1-800-567-2275
Fax: (250) 860-9993
Email: info@totabc.com
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