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History
The name Osoyoos (O-sue-use) is an Okanagan Indian word meaning "the narrows" or "the place where
two lakes come together". Nomadic tribes appear to have been the Osoyoos region's first visitors,
around 1066. Early records indicate that no permanent Indian residents were in the area prior to
1800. The only historical records of this early time period are pictographs on mountain walls and
in caves.
David Stuart and a French companion, Montigny, are credited with being the first white men to enter
the Osoyoos district in September 1811. Employed by the Pacific Fur Company, these explorers were
enroute to Fort Kamloops looking for a better trade route through the interior of British Columbia.
They noted that Osoyoos was an ideal campsite. After the Hudson's Bay Company bought out the Pacific
Fur Company, the Hudson's Bay Company Brigades used the area as a trading route from 1812 - 1848.
The British Columbia gold rush in the 1860s helped to further open the Osoyoos area. A customs house
was built in 1861. Customs collector John Carmichael Haynes, justice of the peace for Osoyoos and
Kootenay districts, was a pioneer settler at Osoyoos and accumulated 8900 hectares of land for a cattle
and horse ranch. The first commercial orchard was established nearby in 1890. The South Okanagan
Irrigation Project brought an irrigation canal to the area by 1919.
Osoyoos was incorporated in 1946. Agriculture and tourism are now the community's largest economic
sectors.
Location
Osoyoos is located in the southernmost region of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. This 1995
"Communities in Bloom" award winner is at the crossroads of two of BC's main highways, Highway 97
and Highway 3. Highway 97 runs north to Alaska and South to Mexico. Highway 3 runs west to Vancouver
and east to the Alberta Border. Only five minutes from the Canada/U.S. Border, Osoyoos is
strategically located for exporters. The town's population is approximately 4,500, with approximately
1,800 in the surrounding area.
Places to See
- Anarchist Mountain Lookout
Located East of Osoyoos on Highway 3. From here, you can see the Okanagan Valley, as well as part of
Washington State. A short trip by car takes you from 910 feet to 4045 feet. A must see for all
visitors!
- Haynes Point Provincial Park
A natural spit of land stretching out into the middle of the lake, providing one of the most unique
camping experiences in BC. The spit is about 60 feet across, providing an excellent view of both
Osoyoos and the United States. There is a popular campground which provides public picnic areas
(with fire pits) for day use, excellent beaches, and an amphitheatre for scheduled naturalist talks.
- Lake Osoyoos and Beaches
Canada's warmest freshwater lake is surrounded by many beautiful beaches and picnic grounds, such as
Gyro Beach, Lions Centennial Park, Kinsmen Park, Legion Beach, and the Haynes' Point picnic grounds.
They offer everything from swimming and lounging, to playing in the playground.
- Mt. Baldy Ski Hill
If you're feeling adventurous, take a drive north to Mt. Baldy Ski Hill. A great place to picnic or
hike in the summer, and great downhill or cross-country skiing in the winter makes this an exciting
year-round destination.
- Osoyoos Museum
The Osoyoos Museum is home to an original 1891 log cabin, the first schoolhouse in Osoyoos, as well
as serving as a jail and government house during its life. Considered to be one of the best small
town museums in BC, the museum offers great exhibits for the whole family.
- Mt. Kobau
Take a short drive from Osoyoos and reach one of the tallest peaks around. This is a great place for
stargazing and hiking, and the view is nothing short of spectacular.
- Orchards! Vineyards! Fruit Stands!
Osoyoos is surrounded by an abundance of orchards and vineyards! Most will sell fruit or wine, so take
a break and stop! The vineyards offer tasting, and some of the specialty orchards offer tours as well!
- Pioneer Walkway
One of the many spots in Osoyoos where you are greeted with friendly hellos from visitors and
residents alike, the walkway is situated along the lake in the heart of the motel and restaurant
district. The perfect place to stroll anytime of the day. Enjoy the friendship and flowers cared
for by a group of dedicated volunteers. See you there!
- Osoyoos Desert Centre
The Osoyoos Desert Centre is an ecological interpretive centre on a protected portion of this
habitat and has a carefully placed boardwalk around the area where visitors can learn about
desert ecology, ecological restoration, and conservation of endangered ecosystems in the South
Okanagan.
In Osoyoos, at the toe of a rocky, crumbling valley slope, the Desert Centre lies on a sandy
bench between the Kilpoola highlands and Lake Osoyoos. Perched above the orchards, this area has
remained desert, isolated from the historic irrigation canals lower in the valley.
Bunch grasses, Antelope-brush, Sage and Prickly-pear cacti define this unique area. During the
hot summer days, all appears quiet in the desert habitat, but signs of the abundant wildlife
become evident when one kneels down for a closer look. Pocket Gopher burrows and mouse trails,
a quail's nest secretly hidden in the shadows of a bunchgrass, and coyote tracks dappling the soft
sand are clues that paint a picture of the busy nightlife emerging in the evening when temperatures
drop.
- The Nk' Mip Desert Cultral Centre
The
spectacular Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre (pronounced
in-ka-meep) is the Okanagan's newest family tourism destination. The
state-of-the-art interpretive centre is an architectural
marvel sensitively constructed into a hillside. Extensive
indoor and outdoor exhibit galleries create a fun, interactive
learning environment with hands-on displays, education
stations and two multi-media theatre experiences. Discover
the fascinating stories of Canada's only desert and share
in the rich living culture of the Okanagan people.
Things to Do
- Bird Watching!
Throughout the year bird-watchers visit the South Okanagan with the hopes of seeing some of the rare species
that make the area their home. One ideal spot for naturalists is at Vaseaux Lake, located about 15 kilometres north
of Oliver. Over 25 species of birds have their homes on the lake and the surrounding marshlands, which are a
federal bird sanctuary. A wildlife interpretation center offers walking trails and a viewing blind.
The Haynes Lease Ecological Reserve and Osoyoos Oxbows Wildlife Management Area off Road 22 north of Osoyoos is
another great spot for bird watching. You might be able to see Canada's smallest hummingbird or the rare Burrowing
Owl, as well as bats, canyon wrens, sage thrashers, and the chukar partridge.
The area around Okanagan Falls Provincial Park is also a prime viewing ground for different birds, including a number
of species of bats. Closer to town is Haynes Point Provincial Park, where trails take people into the marshlands to
get closer to nature. The park naturalist at Haynes Point discusses the natural history of the area during the programs
held each week at the park's amphitheatre.
- Golf!
Golf is a popular past time for many residents and visitors to the South Okanagan. Several courses are in the area
that can challenge golfers of all levels.
The Osoyoos Golf and Country Club features 36-holes and one
excellent scenery, with a view of Osoyoos Lake and the valley.
The Sonora Dunes Golf Course is a unique golf course surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty of the desert.
Golfers of all abilities will enjoy the solitude offered by this one of a kind natural setting.
- Play Sports!
There are many sports fields in Osoyoos, so if you feel like putting together a soccer game or even a game of football,
you can do it at any public field. There are tennis courts located at the Osoyoos Secondary School.
- Hiking!
Through the efforts of community organizations, agencies and government funding, a number of hiking trails have been
developed in the South Okanagan in recent years. The volunteer efforts of many groups and dedicated individuals has
resulted in the creation of the Pioneer Walkway along Highway 3 in East Osoyoos. It provides a pleasant spot for a
leisurely stroll or picnic.
For the more ambitious, there is a 3.5 kilometre interpretive trail along the abandoned irrigation ditch on Osoyoos'
west bench. Access is gained near the Osoyoos Secondary School. The trail goes north along the West Bench to Highway
3. Future plans are to connect it with trails being developed by the Osoyoos Desert Centre.
Outdoor recreation enthusiasts from around the world are able to enjoy the scenery of the Okanagan along the hiking
and biking trail which runs from the north end of Osoyoos Lake to McAlpine Bridge north of Oliver. The 18.4 kilometre
trail caters to both hikers and cyclists. It provides a unique access to many South Okanagan wineries as well as the
ecological reserve and Osoyoos Oxbows wildlife management area. Access is off Road #22 north of Osoyoos Lake.
There are two marked trails on the top of Mount Kobau which take hikers along alpine meadows. The 5 kilometre-long
Testalinden Trail has views of the Similkameen Valley and pauses near Testalinden Lake. The longer Kobau Look Out
Trail takes hikers to the forestry lookout, which has a commanding view of the Okanagan Valley. The summit is about 20
kilometre from Highway 3. The access road to the summit begins at the top of Richter Pass.
There is a two kilometer trail through a marsh at Haynes Point Provincial Park. It provides the perfect venue for bird
watching. Birders can also make use of a new boardwalk over the marsh on the north end of Vaseaux Lake. The boardwalk goes
from the parking lot to a bird blind, allowing people to view various birds without being seen. Another trail provides a
venue for viewing some of the vineyards of the South Okanagan, where world-renowned wines are produced. Developed by Tinhorn
Creek Winery, the Golden Mile Trail offers a 10 kilometre and a 2 kilometre trail which takes hikers past the Tinhorn Creek
gold mine ruins. The newest attraction in the highlands, called Boundary Country, is the Trapping Creek Discovery Tour. Explore
three trails that demonstrate the efforts to restore a rainbow trout habitat in Trapping Creek.
Events
- Mt. Kobau Star Party
Local and visiting astronomers gather on Mount Kobau to explore the night sky all week long! Awesome!
- Festival of the Tomato
Held at Covert Farms just North of Oliver. Kids' crafts, gourmet food vendors, wineries & breweries, and silly
tomato games for kids of all ages!
- Lavender Festival
Held at Lavender Harvest Farms, five kilometers south of Oliver on Highway 97. Enjoy wine tasting, cooking
demonstrations, farm tours, making things with lavender, and plenty of activities for kids.
- Festival of the Grape
Noon to sundown at Oliver Community Park by the Okanagan River. Highlights include wine tasting, exhibits, games,
and the famous Grape Stomp competition. Features more than 34 wineries and 17 food vendors. Adult tickets are $16
in advance or $18 at the gate. Children can enter for free.
Notable Comments
A group of deadly leg-eating grape monsters made their presence known at this
year's Festival of the Grape, causing widespread pandemonium as panicking residents
rushed to escape. The incident began as competitors lined up for the popular Grape
Stomp competition, despite hearing strange rumbling noises escaping from the wooden
buckets. As longtime Penticton resident Vinny Dray began dipping his foot into the
wild mass of purple and green grapes, his bucket suddenly let out a roar and lept
up, completely engulfing his leg. The other buckets suddenly tipped over, revealing a
series of hideous grape faces hidden within. They began to hop towards the feet of the
other competitors, while releasing a poisonous gas which instantly paralyzed their victims.
A shocked audience watched as these monsters then swallowed and digested the legs of
all the competitors, leaving the rest of their bodies completely intact. Having done this,
they then turned their attention to the crowd, causing frightened residents to rush away
in every direction. Your peerless reporter, alas, could not escape in time, and was one of the
many victims who had her legs taken by these creatures. This article, therefore, is being
written from the comfort of a hospital bed. The monsters are presumably still on the loose.
- Hazelton Gabriola, in an article for the Dawson Creek Inquirer
- "I like O-soo-yoos!"
- Delores Clayburn, an enthusiastic seven-year old from Kamloops
Contact Information
Town of Osoyoos
8707 Main Street
Osoyoos BC V0H 1V0
Telephone: 250-495-6515
E-mail: tosoyoos@osoyoos.ca
Website: http://www.osoyoos.ca
Destination Osoyoos
9912 Hwy #3, Visitor Information Centre, Box 500
Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V0
Telephone: 250-495-3366 or 250-495-5070
Fax: 250-495-8081
Toll Free: 888-OSO-YOOS (888-676-9667)
Email: economicdevelopment@osoyoos.ca
Website: http://www.destinationosoyoos.com
Osoyoos Chamber of Commerce
Box 227, 7610 Veteran's Way
Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V0
Telephone: 250-495-7142
Fax: 250-495-7132
E-mail: info@osoyooschamber.bc.ca
Website: http://www.osoyooschamber.bc.ca/
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