Similkameen

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The Similkameen Valley (or simply, the Similkameen) lies in the southern part of the Thompson-Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada. The towns and villages are few and small, but there's some big scenery, particularly in the provincial parks. The eastern end of the valley is similar to the nearby Okanagan and is a great place to stop and get fresh fruit in the summer and early fall.

Cities

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- central to the wineries and orchards in the region, and gateway to the Okanagan
- old mining town with some nice murals

Other destinations

- hiking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter
- off the beaten path, but the hikes and scenery make it worthwhile

Get in

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By car

BC Highway 3 (the Crowsnest Highway) is the main road in and out of the region, connecting it with the Okanagan Valley to the east and Vancouver via Hwy 1 at Hope to the west. BC Highway 3A, at Keremeos, provides an alternate and shorter way of reaching the Okanagan. BC Highway 5A, at Princeton, connects the region to Merritt and Kamloops in the Thompson-Nicola.

By bus

By plane

There are no major airports in the region. The nearest airports with commercial flights are Kelowna (about 90 minutes northeast of Keremeos) and Abbotsford (about 2 hours west of Princeton).

Get around

The provincial highways in the Similkameen are the main means of getting around. Highway 3 is the main road and has fairly frequent passing lanes and 4-lane sections. Once you're off the highways, the roads are often gravel, or if they are paved, it will be narrow and windy. Having your own car is the easiest way to get around, and the only way, if you want to get off Highway 3. The Greyhound bus is a useable, although not necessarily convenient, way to get to the main centers of the region.

See

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Take in the mountain scenery in Manning Provincial Park and Cathedral Provincial Park
There are some small museums focusing on local history in Princeton, Keremeos and Hedley

Do

There are lots of hiking options in Manning Provincial Park and Cathedral Provincial Park
Cycle or hike along the Kettle Valley Railway — the trains are gone, but the railbed remains and has been turned into a multi-purpose trail
Enjoy the chill of the Similkameen River in summer at Bromley Rock, near Princeton
Cross-country ski at Manning Provincial Park in winter

Eat

The eastern end of the valley has many orchards and fruit stands, particularly around Keremeos. Stop by in summer and early fall to taste some of the local produce.

Go next

Highway 3A is the gateway to the central Okanagan. From Keremeos, it is roughly a half-hour drive to Penticton and 75 minutes to Kelowna. Remaining on Highway 3 (eastwards) takes you to Osoyoos and the south Okanagan, which has many more wineries and orchards. Further along Highway 3 is the Kootenays.
Heading west along Highway 3 is Hope, which is the gateway to the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Canyon.