landmark
Riverside Park
Downtown park on the South Thompson River with a sandy beach and nightly summer live music.
Chiedi a ParleyCanada
Kamloops
Desert rivers, mountain trails, and craft breweries
introduction
Overview
Kamloops sits at the junction of two branches of the Thompson River in British Columbia's dry interior. Hot summers turn the surrounding hills brown, while winter brings cold air and snow to nearby mountains. You move through the city best by car, as public transit runs on spread-out suburban schedules. Expect high temperatures in July and quiet, trail-focused days year-round.
Airport taxi flat rates
Kamloops Airport (YKA) sits 10 kilometres northwest of downtown. Cabs to Victoria Street use set meter rates around $28–35 CAD.
Tournament Capital of Canada
Kamloops holds the official trademark as Canada's Tournament Capital due to its concentration of athletic facilities.
Sun Peaks shuttle booking
Public transit does not run to Sun Peaks Resort. Book winter airport shuttles at least 48 hours in advance.
Kamloops
Photograph by David Wise (https://www.flickr.com/people/syldavia/) · CC BY-SA 2.0
Downtown — Pedestrian-friendly core centered on Victoria Street, filled with brewpubs, independent cafes, and tree-lined sidewalks.
MelvinMelvinMelvin · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sahali / Aberdeen — Uphill district dominated by shopping centers, chain hotels, and Thompson Rivers University.
Pjbosco · CC BY-SA 3.0
Local Thompson Valley wines paired with regional dishes.
User:Agne27 · CC BY-SA 3.0highlights
Highlights
landmark
BC Wildlife Park
Rescue centre east of town home to grizzly bears, cougars, and native birds of prey.
Chiedi a Parley
landmark
Lac Du Bois Grasslands
Protected semi-arid grassland featuring canyon vistas, silt cliffs, and sagebrush.
Chiedi a Parleyattractions
On the map
areas
Where life happens
Downtown
Pedestrian-friendly core centered on Victoria Street, filled with brewpubs, independent cafes, and tree-lined sidewalks.
WalkableCraft beerDining
CompromessoParking meters are strictly enforced until 18:00 on weekdays.
Nei dintorniRiverside Park and the South Thompson River.
Chiedi a ParleySahali / Aberdeen
Uphill district dominated by shopping centers, chain hotels, and Thompson Rivers University.
HotelsShoppingUniversity
CompromessoSteep hills make walking between locations impractical.
Nei dintorniKenna Cartwright Park and Highway 1.
Chiedi a ParleySun Rivers
Resort-style neighborhood situated on Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc land on the north bank.
GolfQuietViews
CompromessoRequires a car for almost every errand or meal.
Nei dintorniSecwépemc Museum and Sun Rivers Golf Course.
Chiedi a ParleyNorth Shore
Unpretentious residential area along Tranquille Road with diverse eateries and local markets.
Casual foodLocal vibesBudget
CompromessoLacks the polished curb appeal of Victoria Street.
Nei dintorniMcArthur Island Park and the North Thompson River.
Chiedi a Parleyfood
Sagebrush slopes and craft taps
Kamloops sits in a cool-climate wine region known as the Thompson Valley. Vineyards here specialize in crisp whites like Riesling and Pinot Gris. Downtown features a dense cluster of craft breweries along Victoria Street and 3rd Avenue. Local menus rely heavily on Okanagan produce and regional beef.The North Shore along Tranquille Road hosts Indian, Vietnamese, and Mexican kitchens that cater to local residents. Casual dining dominates the city. Reservations are rarely required outside peak summer weekends at upscale winery restaurants.
Local Thompson Valley wines paired with regional dishes.
User:Agne27 · CC BY-SA 3.0- Patio season
Summer outdoor dining fills up by 17:30 downtown. Arrive early for spots along Victoria Street.
- Winery tasting fees
Tastings at Thompson Valley wineries cost $10–15 CAD. Fees are waived if you buy a bottle.
- Sunday closures
Independent downtown cafes often close by 16:00 on Sundays. Plan early coffee runs accordingly.
history
A short history
The Secwépemc Nation lived along the confluence of the North and South Thompson rivers for thousands of years. They called the area Tk'emlúps, meaning where the rivers meet. European fur traders arrived in the early nineteenth century and established trading posts to buy pelts from local hunters.The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885 transformed Kamloops into a transportation hub. Ranching, forestry, and mining drove the regional economy for decades. Today, healthcare, education, and sports tourism form the backbone of the city's economy.
- 1812
Fur Trade Established
Pacific Fur Company establishes Fort Cumcloups, launching European commerce in the Thompson valley.
- 1885
Railway Arrival
The Canadian Pacific Railway connects Kamloops to coastal Vancouver, accelerating settlement.
- 1893
City Incorporation
Kamloops officially incorporates as a city with a population under one thousand residents.
where to stay
Where to stay
Choose your location based on how you plan to travel. Downtown offers walkability to craft breweries, restaurants, and river parks. Sahali and Aberdeen cater to highway drivers needing quick access to Trans-Canada Highway 1 and chain amenities.
- Walkers & craft beer fansDowntown — Walk to Victoria Street taprooms and Riverside Park without touching your car keys.
- Road trippersSahali / Aberdeen — Direct access to Highway 1 with free parking and modern chain properties.
Live rates, matched to the areas above.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops
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South Thompson Inn & Conference Centre
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DoubleTree by Hilton - Kamloops
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Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre
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Ramada by Wyndham Kamloops
Chiedi a Parleytransport
Getting around
Kamloops stretches across wide valleys divided by rivers. While downtown is easy to walk, getting to trails, shopping districts, or neighbouring parks requires wheels. BC Transit operates local buses, but frequencies on suburban routes can drop to once per hour on weekends.
Da Kamloops Airport (YKA)
- Taxi15 min$28–35 CAD
Cabs sit outside arrivals. Standard rate to downtown Victoria Street.
- Rideshare15 min$22–30 CAD
Uproad and Uber operate at YKA. Pickup zone is signed near baggage claim.
BC Transit buses require exact change in cash or fare payment via the Umo mobile app.
Download the Umo app before riding to buy digital single rides and day passes.
Rent a car at YKA if you plan to visit trailheads outside city limits.
Bus service reduces significantly after 21:00 on weeknights across all lines.
cost
What things cost
Kamloops is generally cheaper than Vancouver or Kelowna. Hotel rates peak during summer road trip season and winter ski weekends at nearby resorts. Food and drink costs match standard Canadian regional prices.
- Pint of local craft beer: $8–10 CAD
Pints at downtown breweries cost around $8 to $10 before sales tax and tip.
- Casual lunch: $16–22 CAD
A burger or bowl at a downtown pub runs between $16 and $22 CAD.
- BC Wildlife Park entry: $18 CAD
Adult single admission to the wildlife park costs roughly $18 CAD.
- Day transit pass: $5.00 CAD
An all-day BC Transit pass costs $5.00 CAD on the bus or via the Umo app.
seasonality
When to go
MAR – MAY
Mild spring weather opens mountain biking trails early while alpine snow melts.
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Heat
JUN – AUG
Hot, dry summers top 30°C. Riverside Park hosts daily crowds and evening concerts.
Affollamento
Heat
SEP – NOV
Crisp autumn days offer excellent trail conditions and regional grape harvesting.
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Heat
DEC – FEB
Cold valley temperatures with quick road access to Sun Peaks ski slopes.
Affollamento
Heat
practicalities
Good to know
- Dry heat warning
Summer temperatures often exceed 35°C. Carry ample water when hiking sageland trails.
- Rattlesnake safety
Western rattlesnakes inhabit dry grasslands. Stay on marked trails in Lac Du Bois.
- Sales taxes
BC adds 5% GST and 7% PST to most retail purchases at checkout.
- Pacific Time Zone
Kamloops operates on Pacific Time (UTC-8) and observes daylight saving time.
- Wildfire season
July and August can bring interior wildfire smoke that affects air quality.