Falkland

• Lodging in this community
• Camping in this community 

History

Originally known as Slahaltkan, a First Nations word meaning "meeting of the winds", the farming community of Falkland was named after English Colonel Falkland G.E. Warren of the Royal Horse Artillery, an early pioneer who made his home in the valley in 1893 and established a post office. The Falkland Valley was originally settled by homesteaders who established farming and ranching in the area, with farms, ranches, markets, and roadside stalls widespread in the valley today.

Forestry is the mainstay of the Falkland economy, supported by agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, tourism and service industries. Agricultural crops include forage, grains, and vegetables, while apples, plums, and cherry trees are common in yards and gardens.

Location

Falkland is located on Highway 97 72 km (45 mi) southeast of Kamloops and 42 km (26 mi) northwest of Vernon.

Places to See

• Falkland and District Heritage Park Museum

Step back in time and discover the history and lifestyles of area communities and pioneering families. The artifacts and archival documents you will see have been generously donated in trust to the Falkland Historical Society by residents and former residents of Falkland and Westwold, Falkland Community Association, and local clubs and organizations.

• Blacksmith Cabin

The blacksmith cabin now houses some of the original forging equipment used to repair and fabricate mining parts. Forging and repair were also done for local loggers', farmer's and horse equipment. The covered open air display area on the heritage park site originally housed the gypsum mine blacksmith shop.

• Gypsum Mine Ruins

The gypsum mine was claim staked in the late 1800s, and during the early part of the century the mine was the main employer and an important factor in the development of the Falkland town site. A 3500 foot aerial conveyor cable system ran on wooden cable towers from the upper quarry and terminal one half mile up the mountain to the lower three story terminal structure for loading gypsum on to the CNR hopper cars.

• Pillar Lake

No trip to Falkland is complete without stopping at Pillar Lake. Hikers, rockhounds, photographers, and nature lovers will enjoy The Pillar, a 90-foot unique geological conglomerate of dirt and rock that can be reached via a short hike. A giant bony finger, the Falkland hoodoo, points skyward, balancing a precariously perched eight-tonne boulder on its tip.

• Monte Creek Provincial Park

This tiny park protects an area of treed river riparian, with grassland highly disturbed by previous agriculture, on the South Thompson River. The area is a documented archaeological site in the history of the Shuswap First Nations. Note that no camping or day-use facilities are provided.

Things to Do

• Fishing

The Falkland area is a haven for fishermen, with excellent fishing on 10 lakes within 16 kilometres (10 miles) of Falkland. Many are full of rainbow trout.

• Hiking

If you enjoy longer walks, try the hike up Tuktakamin Mountain. Once you're at the top, the view is incredible. Estekawalan Mountain Trail on the east side is another good hike. The elevation is about the same as Tuktakamin Mountain - around 168-1800 metres.

• Mountain Biking

The backroads and forested hills surrounding Falkland provide plenty of opportunities for mountain biking and outdoor adventure in the summer, and snowmobiling in the winter.

• Golf

There are two golf courses in Salmon Arm - The Salmon Arm Golf Club and Sonseekers Ridge Golf Course - as well as nine golf courses in nearby Kamloops and Vernon.

Events

• Falkland Stampede

The Falkland Stampede is one of the oldest professional rodeos in Canada. Held over three days in May every year, the rodeo includes a parade, family events, dances, pancake breakfast and more. 

Nearby Communities

Contact Information

Columbia Shuswap Tourism
Website: www.shuswap.bc.ca