Thompson-Nicola: Rainforest, Grasslands and Trails

Thompson-Nicola brings together distinctive landscapes, outdoor activities and cultural attractions in Kamloops. When planning a trip, this raises some specific questions: Should the landscape, an outdoor activity, a cultural attraction or the season be the deciding factor? Options include year-round trails, seasonal activities in Sun Peaks, a museum and a riverside park. These different starting points are easy to distinguish: some trip ideas begin with the scenery, while others start with an activity or a planned visit. When choosing a hotel in Thompson-Nicola, it helps to weigh the options according to your interests.

Landscapes in Thompson-Nicola

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District includes areas of temperate inland rainforest in the Upper North Thompson Valley, the gently rolling grasslands of the Nicola Valley, and desert and semi-arid climates around Kamloops Lake. Wells Gray Park is also part of the District’s landscape; it is known for its old-growth rainforest, alpine meadows and numerous waterfalls. This diversity makes the landscape itself a potential reason to visit, rather than simply a backdrop for activities.

Trails and outdoor activities

The Blue River Trail Network offers year-round opportunities for walking, hiking, cycling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The Blue River Pedestrian Suspension Bridge connects the trail network on both sides of the Blue River. One named trail is the approximately 8 km Gus Johnson Trail in Lac Le Jeune Park. Unlike the network, this is a specific route with a stated, though approximate, length. When planning, you can decide whether to start with a network offering different types of activities or a single trail.

Seasonal activities in Sun Peaks

Sun Peaks Resort offers snowshoe trails and cross-country ski trails in winter; in summer, activities include hiking, mountain biking and golf. This seasonal breakdown answers a different planning question than the year-round options at the Blue River Trail Network: at Sun Peaks, the timing of your trip is an important consideration when choosing activities. As seasonal operations may vary, check before your trip which activities are scheduled for your travel dates.

Culture in Kamloops

In Kamloops, the Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park features three galleries, an educational theatre space, a memorial garden and a nature park. A guided tour led by a knowledgeable guide of the Kamloops Indian Residential School complements what the site offers. Your visit can focus on the different facilities or include the tour in your plans.

Riverside Park on the Thompson River

Riverside Park offers a different way to enjoy the water: visitors can picnic at the city beach and swim in the Thompson River. Three public parking lots provide access to the beach, trails, playgrounds and other park facilities. This gives you a choice between a museum visit and a specific outdoor experience when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Sun Peaks, Kamloops, Monte Creek, Savona, Clinton, Clearwater, Merritt, Blue River, Barrière, Cache Creek, Logan Lake, Spences Bridge, Ashcroft, Avola, Lytton, Little Fort, Chase, 70 Mile House

For the broader travel overview: British Columbia.