Kamloops: Culture, River Landscapes and Nature

Kamloops offers many different reasons to explore: Secwépemc history and knowledge, a museum with exhibits and activities about the region’s cultural heritage, wildlife and extensive trails. The river landscape also shapes the ways you can explore the area. Families may enjoy weighing up interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and time outdoors. Which of these aspects appeals to you most can also guide your search for a suitable holiday rental in Kamloops.

Experience Culture and Regional History

At the Secwépemc Museum & Heritage Park, exhibits showcase Secwépemc art, artefacts and knowledge. Interactive exhibits deepen visitors’ understanding of Secwépemc history. This puts both the displayed material and the exploration of history at the centre. The museum also offers workshops, cultural events and guest lectures. These different formats provide different ways to engage: you can explore the exhibits or learn about a topic through a workshop, event or lecture.

The Kamloops Museum & Archives complements this cultural perspective with a collection of more than 20,000 artefacts. The museum was founded in 1937. It also includes the Children's Museum, where visitors can engage hands-on with the region’s cultural heritage. If you are travelling with children, you can consider this interactive approach alongside the exhibits at the Secwépemc Museum & Heritage Park. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus more on art, history and knowledge or on a hands-on introduction to cultural heritage.

River Landscapes, Wildlife and Trails

Riverside Park is located at the confluence of the North Thompson River and the South Thompson River. It has an accessible water play area and an inclusive playground. The park is also one of the main access points to the Rivers Trail, which is about 40 km long. This location therefore brings together several distinct features: its setting at the confluence, play facilities and access to a longer trail. The approximate total length of the Rivers Trail may help you decide whether to include a longer walk in your travel plans.

Kenna Cartwright Park offers a different focus. It covers almost 800 hectares and has 40 km of multi-use trails for hikers and mountain bikers. Viewpoints offer views of Kamloops and the Thompson Valley. Hikers will find different options here from those available to mountain bikers, though the trails are intended for both activities. The viewpoints add opportunities to take in the surrounding scenery. Unlike the Rivers Trail, the focus here is on the park’s multi-use trails and views of Kamloops and the Thompson Valley.

BC Wildlife Park offers another way to enjoy nature: it is home to almost 200 animals from 65 species native to British Columbia. It also operates the Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre, which rehabilitates orphaned and injured wildlife. This offers a different kind of discovery from trails or playgrounds, with a focus on animals and wildlife rehabilitation. You can take this variety into account when planning, without treating the different places and activities as a single outing.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Trip

If culture and history are important to you, the two museums offer different points of interest: exhibits, interactive formats and events at the Secwépemc Museum & Heritage Park, and the extensive collection and Children's Museum at the Kamloops Museum & Archives. For time outdoors, you can choose between the approximately 40 km Rivers Trail and the 40 km of multi-use trails in Kenna Cartwright Park, each with its own features. Playgrounds, wildlife and viewpoints offer additional distinct experiences.

If you would like to explore more destination pages: Clearwater, Avola, Savona, 70 Mile House, Ashcroft, Little Fort, Sun Peaks and Barrière.

For the broader travel overview: Thompson-Nicola.