Kamloops
Forest trails, lake swims and the kind of stars you forget exist.
Kamloops sits at the arid convergence of the Thompson Rivers, where rolling silt bluffs glow ochre under the scorching summer sun. In the downtown core, the scent of roasting beans from local cafes mingles with the dry heat, while a short drive north leads to the high-altitude silence of Sun Peaks Resort. Here, winter transforms the landscape into a powder-hound’s playground of ghost trees and steep glades. Transitioning from the lake-level heat of Riverside Park to the pine-scented air of Kenna Cartwright Park, you experience a terrain defined by sagebrush and singletrack trails. Evenings bring the sharp, clean smell of cedar smoke and a sky so unpolluted that the Milky Way appears as a solid architectural feature. It is a city where raw semi-desert meets the edge of the alpine, offering a rugged duality that demands both hiking boots and skis.
Best time to visit Kamloops
The best time to visit Kamloops is generally summer for easier access, or winter for dramatic light and solitude. Peak season pushes prices and crowds up; shoulder season is almost always the smarter trade-off — you'll find the same restaurants open, the same scenery, and noticeably better hotel value on Booking.com.
How to get to Kamloops
Kamloops is in Canada, Americas. Direct flights from North American hubs are plentiful; from Europe, expect a long-haul into New York, Miami, Toronto or Mexico City and a short connection. Once you arrive, allow a day to settle in — most travellers underestimate jet lag and over-pack day one.
Things to do in Kamloops
Plan your days around hiking, wildlife spotting, scenic drives and photography. Because Kamloops also leans into skiing, snowboarding, mountain restaurants and après-ski, you can mix it up — one slow day, one active day, repeat.
Where to stay in Kamloops
On Booking.com, properties in Kamloops start from around $235 per night. Filter by guest review score (8.5+), free cancellation, and your preferred neighbourhood. Booking close to the centre saves transit time and almost always pays for itself in extra hours actually enjoying Kamloops.
Kamloops travel FAQs
- When is the ideal time to plan a trip to Kamloops?
- Visits are best split between July for lake swimming and mountain biking in the dry heat, or late January for the most reliable light-dry snow at Sun Peaks. Shoulder seasons are brief, so aim for mid-summer to experience the desert climate or deep winter for alpine sports.
- What is the best way to navigate the city and surrounding parks?
- A rental car is essential as its geographic footprint is sprawling and public transit does not reach the major trailheads or ski hills. Most scenic viewpoints, like those in Lac du Bois Grasslands, require a vehicle with decent clearance to navigate access roads comfortably.
- Which neighborhood should I choose for my stay?
- Stay Downtown if you want walkable access to microbreweries and the riverside, or choose a lodge at Sun Peaks for direct ski-in/ski-out convenience. Sahali and Aberdeen offer elevated views of the river valley but require driving for every outing.
- Can I visit the local wineries without a guided tour?
- The Thompson Valley wine region is easily accessible for self-guided tastings at estates like Monte Creek or Privato, located just east and north of the city. Be sure to try the cool-climate Rieslings and Maréchal Foch, which thrive in the region's unique volcanic soil and intense summer heat.
