Manning Park | Princeton | Tulameen | Coalmont | Hedley | Keremeos | Cawston
Similkameen Valley Travel Experiences Guide
British Columbia | Canada | SimilkameenValley.com
Play in our mountains and discover an unbridled wilderness with adventures as wide as our western skies
Main image: Riding the open range in Princeton Inset bottom: Mountain biking in the China Ridge area near Princeton Inset left: Backcountry hiking in Manning Park
RUGGED.
Document your epic adventures‌ Snap a selfie at the summit of Cathedral Lakes Provincial Park
RUSTIC. REAL.
Taste the freshness of the Similkameen
Discover the allure of the Similkameen Valley where the opportunities for adventure are larger than you could imagine
Main image: Drinking it all in from the cliffs above the Similkameen River
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RUGGED. RUSTIC. REAL.
CONTENTS
Insta
Twitter: @SimilkameenVall Facebook: SimilkameenValleyBC Instagram: @GoSimilkameen
What’s Inside Similkameen Must Dos!
Experience First Nations Dancers
19
Map
27
Our Communities
28
Food + Wine to Savour
41
Our Story
45
Events
Photo Joan McMurray
8
The Bridge of Dreams, Princeton
Family fun – gold panning, rock hounding and fossil hunting
All photography by Darren Robinson © unless otherwise stated.
SimilkameenValley.com
Main image: Explore the wilderness in our backcountry Copyright 2015 © Similkameen Valley Planning Society. A partnership of Black Press, Similkameen Valley Planning Society (SVPS) and Thompson Okanagan Tourism (TOTA).
Princeton 169 Bridge Street , Princeton, BC | 250-295-0235 Keremeos 417 - 7th Avenue, Keremeos, BC | 250-499-5225 Seasonal Information Booth Hedley 712 Daly Avenue, Hedley, BC | 250-292-8787 info@similkameenvalley.com
Project Management: TOTA Design: Roger Handling/www.terrafda.com Copywriting: Darcy Nybo Contributor: Kim Cameron Advertising sales, ad design, printing and distribution by: Keremeos Review and Similkameen Spotlight, divisions of Black Press. SUPER, NATURAL BRITISH COLUMBIA and VISITOR CENTRE and all associated logos are registered trademarks of Destination BC. Printed in Canada
Taste the goodness of our orchards
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ATTRACTIONS
SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY MUST DOS!
Similkameen Valley
Must Dos!
Time stands still as you fish, camp, hike, kayak and drift along the scenically stunning Similkameen River
Inset: Kayaking near the Red Bridge, Keremeos Main image: Hiking the Paintbrush Trail in the Cascade Recreation Area, Manning Park
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SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY MUST DOS!
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Make a Splash in the Similkameen River
Building a rock hoodoo
inner tube, fishing for trout, or swimming at Bromley Rock. Kayak the Similkameen from Princeton’s Bridge of Dreams to Keremeos’ Red Bridge, or just hang out with friends by the shore. This is relaxation at its best. Just pick a shore and then float, fish or swim your cares away with a day on the river.
On top of the world in Cathedral Lakes You’ll feel on top of the world once you take a rugged ride or extreme hike up 16 kilometres (10 mi) of trails to Cathedral Lakes. Gaze upon the inspiring 360-degree views of sapphire lakes and jagged mountain peaks so tremendous, they fill the entire skyline. Your adventures begin at 2,073 metres (6,800 ft.) near Quiniscoe Lake, the Shangri La of the Similkameen. Hike the cool ridge, made smooth by the last Ice Age. Hike at your own pace on well-marked trails as you encounter breathtaking vistas of tumbling waterfalls, striking rock faces and burgeoning alpine meadows. Mountain goats, California Bighorn sheep, mule deer and the rare Arctic Ptarmigan share their home with you in this old growth forest. Make
e your breath away Views that will tak
camp beside a jeweltoned lake and watch rainbow trout jump and shimmer in the sun. Pitch a tent and unwind by a campfire or stay at Cathedral Lakes Lodge as the haunting call of the loon serenades you to sleep.
Where will your ride take you?
China Ridge Photo Richard Padmos
The Similkameen River is the heart of our valley. It’s what connects our communities, from its western headwaters in Manning Park to Cawston, just above the US border. Experience adventure in its natural, liquid state. Have some full immersion fun floating down the river on an
Your playground is here! Explore the 55 km (34 mi) of uncrowded mountain bike, horseback riding, Nordic ski, snowshoe and hiking trails as you rekindle your love for the great outdoors at China Ridge Trails. Come play in the woods in Princeton’s backyard.
THE VALLEY’S TOP 10 LIST 1. Hike Manning Park and Cathedral Lakes wilderness hiking trails 2. Explore our prospecting past at Mascot Mines in Hedley 3. Float the Similkameen River from Princeton’s Bridge of Dreams to Bromley Rock and beyond to Keremeos 4. Fish our lakes and rivers for Rainbow and Brook trout 5. Tour the wineries, sip some wine and chat with the owners and winemakers at our boutique wineries 6. Embrace winter, skiing Manning Park 7. Take in an event or concert at the Grist Mill and Gardens 8. Discover our storied past at Princeton, Hedley and Keremeos museums 9. Get some mud on your tires biking China Ridge, the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) and Trans Canada Trails in Princeton 10. Buy organic at orchards and fruit stands in Keremeos and Cawston, Organic Capital of Canada www.SimilkameenValley.com
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SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY MUST DOS!
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Bromley Rock – The Coolest Place to be on a Hot Summer Day Cool off at Bromley Rock in the summer. The Similkameen River takes its time here and offers a cool respite and an inviting natural pool for swimming and river drifting. Unwind from your daily grind with a picnic on the sandy beach, hang out for the day or camp overnight. Even dogs are welcome. Join everyone from young families to sun-worshippers going with the flow on their
inner tubes and rafts. Bromley Rock Provincial Park is best known for the 50-foot boulder rising up from the river that creates a launch pad for cliff jumpers wanting to plunge into the watery depths below. Once a traditional fishing ground for the Similkameen First Nation, it’s now a quiet stop midway between Princeton and Hedley beside an unassuming pullout.
Relax with the family at Bromley Rock
Hook, Line and Sinker
Wineries
Anglers know... the best fishing spots are wellguarded secrets, but it’s no secret that the Similkameen Valley is one of the best spots to angle for trout, mountain whitefish and the elusive west slope cutthroat. Spend a day with a handtied fly, dry hip waders and the sweet dream of landing the “big one.” Allison, Kentucky and Alleyne lakes near Princeton are teeming with rainbow trout. More secluded and equally rewarding is fishing Chain, Osprey, or Link lakes along the Princeton–Summerland backroad where the only competition you’ll find are
Sniff, swirl and sip your way across the Similkameen at our 18 wineries that dot the countryside between Keremeos and Cawston. Taste Similkameen sunshine in every glass from this growing wine region. Our producers have created vintages that continuously garner regional and national acclaim. Come taste what all the fuss is about. You’ll be glad you did.
See what’s biting in
the raptors fishing alongside you. Cast the Ashnola, Similkameen or Tulameen Rivers and you’ll be in the thick of the action striking mountain whitefish, rainbows, and west slope
the rivers and lakes
near Princeton
cutthroat. With fast running currents and deep watery pools, the only thing to distract you from landing the big one is the breathtaking scenery.
Raise a glass with a winemaker – Eau Vivre Winery
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SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY MUST DOS!
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Come Play at Manning Park There are plenty of activities to put on your playlist in Manning Park’s vast wilderness, just three hours from Vancouver or the Okanagan Valley. Find yourself here, out of cell range and off the radar, but completely plugged into a rugged, natural world. Come play in summer when the wildflowers bloom, the fish are biting; when hiking and mountain biking trails lead to endless Explore our lazy rivers
Drift the Day Away – Float the Rivers Experience a long-standing summer tradition — floating the Similkameen and Tulameen rivers daydreaming your summer days away. Plunge in! You can drift for hours between Princeton’s old Brown Bridge and the Bridge of Dreams, to PY Point, then on to Bromley Rock. Make a day of it, floating near Bromley Rock or Keremeos’ Red Bridge, or at Kobau Park in Cawston; it’s easy to let go of your cares while floating on the river. You have to plan ahead in the Similkameen. There are no river outfitters here, so you’ll need to arrange to be picked up at your final destination. It’s part of what makes the Similkameen so rugged, rustic and real.
adventures, and nights are best spent camping under the stars. Come in the winter to snowshoe and ski (both Nordic and Alpine) or tube the Polar Coaster Park. Bed down at a campsite, hostel, or at Manning Park Resort, where modest accommodations lead to a good night’s sleep, leaving you dreaming of adventures to come.
Hike Manning Park’s Paintbrush Trail
Fruit Stands and Orchards Wander the fruit stands and farm-side markets that dot the landscape between Keremeos and Cawston picking up ingredients for an old family recipe, or for a day of exploring. It’s a kaleidoscope of colour from spring until fall. Our landmark fruit stands are where you’ll find just-picked produce, locally-made preserves, pies made from tree-ripened fruit and growers happy to chat about their crops. Linger a while, making your selections from 200 kinds of peppers and more than 30 varieties of field grown heirloom tomatoes, nine types of cherries...and pumpkins...and corn, fruit
uit stands – Keremeos fr eans picked m h where fres that morning
pies still warm from the oven, and just about every tree fruit you can imagine, including our own sweet Ambrosia apple, a chance seedling first cultivated in Cawston in the 1990s. Join the growing number of home cooks
and professional chefs who journey to Canada’s Fruit Stand Capital to buy our organic produce. If you’re not travelling as far as Keremeos and Cawston, shop our weekly farmers’ markets in Princeton and Hedley from spring until fall.
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Hike, walk, ramble or meander There’s nothing more enjoyable than a day spent exploring the Similkameen’s trails. With scenic hikes both on and off the grid, there’s a path for every traveller, no matter your ability. Marked trails wind through Manning Park and Cathedral Lakes leading to storybook landscapes and awe-inspiring views. Princeton’s China Ridge Trails offer a welcome
escape in nature close to town. Walk in the footsteps of our earliest explorers on 160 km (99 mi) of heritage trails. Link to our past on the Trans Canada and Kettle Valley Rail Trails or hike the HBC 1849 Trail with its own stories to reveal. Explore them all one at a time, roaming out on an adventure as dramatic as the landscape surrounding you.
Take your time at Cathedral Lakes
Summer Fun
Explore with the Experts – Guided Tours
sunshine at Bask in the Similkameen Otter Lake, Tulameen
Let our guides show you the way…Get your own personal driver as you tipple your way from winery to winery as the experts take you by the hand and show you a good time! Take a guided hike and go bird watching at Mt. Kobau or try your hand at gold panning as you explore Mascot Mine’s treasures. The sun comes up early in summer. Days are long and blend seamlessly into evening and there’s nothing but free time ahead. Fill your days with Similkameen adventures; we’re pretty sure you’ll run out of time well before you run out of things to do. Spend adventure-fueled days hiking, biking, or ATVing wilderness trails reshaped by spring runoff.
Camp beneath a blanket of stars. Compete in the Fat Dog 120 trail or ULTRA515 endurance triathlon races. Float our rivers from Princeton to Bromley Rock, or paddle them by kayak, and drop in your line to see what’s biting. Hear about our storied past at the Grist Mill and Gardens and the museums in Princeton, Hedley and Keremeos. For a tasty education, explore our
wineries, sampling along the way, and find out why our vintages have garnered so many awards in a few short years. Invite yourself to our parties...The Similkameen BBQ King, Tulameen Family Daze, Kars Under the K and Princeton Traditional Music Festival are just a few of our seasonal celebrations to help make the most of your time in the valley!
Stunning views at Mascot Mines, high above Hedley
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Goggle Tans Guaranteed in Winter! by snowshoe or
cross-country sk is
Photo Jessica Bradford
Trek China Ridg e
Similkameen snow comes with a side order of sunshine and fun for the whole family. Slap on the
sunscreen and embrace the chill as you head outside to play. Explore by snowshoe
or skis, snowboard or snowmobile. Try your hand at ice fishing, or a pick-up game of hockey on an outdoor rink, just like the locals do. Go off the grid and ski China Ridge beneath a full moon. Go backcountry sledding through mountain trails and alpine bowls from Princeton and Tulameen to Olalla. Ride Manning Park’s blue chair and ski fresh dry powder all the way down. Make fresh tracks snowshoeing or cross-country skiing China Ridge or Manning Park. Nordic ski or snowshoe the KVR from Princeton to Tulameen. Or, take part in our wineries’ holiday open houses and stick around to light up the night, enjoying some of our warmest holiday traditions. No need to stay inside this winter. Bundle up, get outside and explore the Similkameen!
Brush up on History From interpretive centres and heritage sites to three unique museums, our stories are brought to life in one-of-a-kind exhibits and interactive demonstrations. Delve into our past and uncover a heritage rich in legends and lore. Hear the ancient stories of the Similkameen First Nation at the Snaza’ist Discovery Centre; then explore archival imagery
Ponder the Similkameen First Nation display at the Princeton Museum
of Hedley’s heyday at their museum. Walk in the footsteps of prospectors at Mascot Mine, high above Hedley, or imagine the life of our pioneers at Princeton Museum’s recreated pioneer cabin, or hear stories told to music at the Grist Mill and Gardens summer concert series. You may be drawn here by our wineries and wilderness, but our stories are why you’ll return.
Take a relaxing walk through our forests
Spring in the Similkameen Rodeos, fast running waters and fields awash with fragrance signal springtime in the Similkameen. Get your cowboy on at the Chopaka, Princeton and Keremeos rodeos as you watch how real bronc busting is done. Paddle the length of the valley by kayak or canoe, as travellers have through the ages. Spring may be one of the most adventurous seasons for paddling when our rivers swell with runoff and rapids course more quickly. Bountiful wildlife is one of the treasures of the Similkameen. Explore the richness of our diverse ecosystem and abundant wildlife at the Meadowlark Festival and Manning Park’s Bird Blitz each spring.
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SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY MUST DOS!
Fabulous Fishing Whether you prefer hip waders and hand-tied flies or dropping a line off the edge of a boat, there are literally
hundreds of places to start your next fish story. Grab your tackle box and BC Fishing License; cast Get hooked on fishing
in the Similkameen
about in our waters; you’ll soon be hooked on the Similkameen. Anglers have been lured to our rivers and lakes since time immemorial. Fresh water fishing is easily accessible from many sites along BC Highways 3 and 5A; there’s plenty to catch in Similkameen waters no matter what the season. Cast your rod in the Ashnola, Tulameen or Similkameen rivers angling for rainbows and mountain whitefish. Head to cattle country around Princeton
ATTRACTIONS
where the fish are always biting in Allison, Kentucky and Alleyne lakes. Drop your line in the secluded Chain, Osprey or Link lakes along the Princeton– Summerland backroad and drink in the glories of the great outdoors while you’re waiting for something to bite. Yellow Lake on Hwy 3A has some of the best shore fishing anywhere in the valley. Troll or belly boat fish for rainbow trout and brook trout. A favourite spot for locals, ice fishing starts mid-December running through March. This is a high mountain lake at 2460 feet, so be prepared with the right gear and you’ll have a whopper of a story to take home.
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SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY MUST DOS!
Autumn Gold Everything is golden in the autumn in the Similkameen. Golden sunsets reflect off the trestles and tunnels of the Kettle Valley Trail and the trails of
Autumn colours in
y the Tulameen Valle
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Manning Park. Orchard fruit hangs heavy off the boughs, awaiting the harvest. It’s a photographer’s dream as the valley glows in shades of gold, green and amber, creating the light photographers dream of. Cathedral Lakes and Manning Park are a must for landscape and wildlife photographers and so is a hike along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail from Princeton to Tulameen. Explore China Ridge in autumn and discover uncrowded trails and inspired landscapes suitable for framing!
Celebrate fall harvest at local events
Join the festivities in September when the Similkameen Sizzle celebrates the hot pepper, and “crush” takes over our wineries, and Princeton’s Agricultural Fall Fair is taking place. Take part in the Grist Mill’s Apple Day and fall harvest events bringing growers and foodies together at celebrated occasions throughout the valley. For something a little different, take part in the Zombie Walk in October!
SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY MUST DOS!
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Play a Round Find your sweet spot in the Similkameen at one of two golf courses. Carved from the mountains, the Princeton Golf Club offers an affordable challenge to all levels of
golfers (18 holes, par 72), or, try to land an eagle at Twin Lakes Golf Course (18 holes) at the eastern end of the valley, while raptors soar the thermals above you.
Take your time, there’s ple
nty of it here
Golf in the heart of the scenic Similkameen
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SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY MUST DOS!
Slumber Under the Stars
Find Hidden Treasure
Get away from it all and sleep beneath the stars. Unplug and rediscover a life connected to nature by camping in the Similkameen. Get a good night’s rest at RV parks and provincial
Gold runs deep through the Goldpanning in the river gets re sults Similkameen! Dip a pan into the river and give it a swirl—who knows what you might find! Take an organized tour or try panning on your own, uncovering riches beneath the Similkameen Explore the richness River’s rocky shores. of our diverse ecosystem Try your hand at finding and abundant wildlife at a geocached treasure along the Meadowlark Festival the KVR, China Ridge, and and Manning Park’s Bird near Swan Lake. Blitz each spring. Wildlife is one of the true treasures of our valley.
campgrounds, or in the stillness of an orchard. For an old-world experience with a roof over your head, check into an authentic western ranch, where you can bed down in a real log cabin.
Slumber Under the stars: Be prepared to be captivated by the wilderness
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Summit Lake LEGEND
Similkameen Valley & Area
Boat Launch Biking
Allison Lake Provincial Park Dry Lake
Camping
Laird Lake
Canoeing/Kayaking 5
McCaffery Lake
Fishing
Otter Lake Provincial Park
Fruit Stands
Otter Lake
Golf Hiking
5A
Ke ttl Tra e Val ns ley Ca Ra na ilw da ay Tra & Coalmont il
RV Site Skiing, Alpine
Vermilion
St
er n Riv
mee Tula
Trans Canada Trail/KVR
r
ive en R
3
me ilka Sim KVR (TCT) Tunnel under Hwy 3
3
Visitor Centre Veterans Square
Pr
Town hall
Princeton
8H
Bella Coola 97
S I M I L K A M E
Distance chart (Approximate drive times) Princeton to Tulameen 30 minutes Princeton to Hedley 30 minutes
To Hope & Vancouver
3
Princeton
Memorial Park
To lmont / Coa meen Tula
Museum
Visitor Centre, Princeton 169 Bridge Street , Princeton, BC 250-295-0235
Similkamee
dge
Wineries
Outdoor pool
Swan Lake
Bri
Wildlife Viewing
Rd
er Riv
ge
Water Skiing
Splash Park
Old Hedley
Martins Lake China Ridge Trails
en
rt
o Airp
a Rid
Tubing
5A Fairgrounds
me
in to Ch
Swimming
a Tul
Skiing, XC Snowmobiling
Pri n
Tulameen
Horseback Riding
Princeton to Keremeos Penticton to Keremeos Osoyoos to Cawston Vancouver to Princeton via Hwy 3 Kelowna to Princeton via Hwy 97
3
Cache Creek 1
3 HOURS TO PRINCETON
Vancouver
Hope 1
it R
ive r
Victoria
3
Similk Va
ve r
Sk ag
WA S H I
Sim
Manning Provincial Park
ee n
Ri
3
nR
yte
a Pes
Gibsons Pass Rd
r
ive
Lightning Lake
Ross Lake
W
9
1 hour 40 minutes 20 minutes 3.25 hours 2 hours
ilk am
Map: Roger Handling
Ke ttl Tra e Vall ns ey Ca Rai cet na on da lway Su Tra & mm il erl and Ro ad
Climbing
To Merritt
Allison Lake
Canada USA Border
To Kelowna Kettle Valley Railway & Trans Canada Trail
Grist Mill
Museum
N
Uppe
r Ben
3A
ch Rd
a nag
Oka
Keremeos
Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park
Middle Bench Rd
n La
Memorial Park
Skate Park
ke
3 To Red Bridge
3
r n Rive amee Bridge Similk
➔
Byp ass
Osprey Lake Link Lake Princeton Summerland Road Chain Lake
Summerland
Riparian Nature Park & Trail
Visitor Centre, Keremeos 417 – 7th Avenue, Keremeos, BC 250-499-5225
Rodeo Grounds Pine Park
97
Brent Mountain Protected Area
Penticton
en River Old
He
dle
yR
ad
d
Pickard Creek Provincial Park rince George
HOURS TO PRINCETON
He
dle
yR
Ro
nt
Bromley Rock Provincial Park Old
ain
n
ee Gr
Nickel Plate Provincial Park
M
ou
d
Edmonton
Stemwinder 16 Provincial Park
Apex Mtn Ski Resort
Snaza'ist Discovery Centre
11 HOURS TO PRINCETON
Hedley
16
Mascot Mine Museum & visitor info
Okanagan Falls
Yellow Lake White Lake Road
A L B E R TA
E N
V A L L E Y
Williams Lake
Skaha Lake
Twin Lakes 3A
97
9 HOURS TO PRINCETON
5
97
Banff
Kamloops 5A
Merritt
I N G TO N
Olalla 3
97
Kelowna
Princeton Keremeos
kameen alley
Calgary
1
Osoyoos
Lethbridge
Simil
Vaseaux Lake
Keremeos Columns Provincial Park
The Grist Mill & Gardens
Red Bridge n Riv er
kame e
3 3
11 HOURS TO PRINCETON
Grand Forks I D A H O
Keremeos
Oliver
Cawston
M O N TA N A
Ashnola River
me
ilka
Sim en R
Cathedral Provincial Park and Protected Area
South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area
Osoyoos Lake
iver
Snowy Protected Area
97
3
Chopaka
Osoyoos
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SIMILKAMEEN LIFE
Meet the Locals
Discover a laid back place where unique and unforgettable experiences often surprise you, despite your best-laid plans.
Enjoying life in the heart of Princeton
Dotted with eclectic small towns, rolling orchards and sprawling ranches, the Similkameen Valley embodies warm, Canadian charm. It’s here, where we operate at a slower pace, that you’ll meet the locals as we go about our days. We’re happy to share our Similkameen with you; here’s where you’ll find us:
Manning Park Just outside of Princeton, Manning Provincial Park is an affordable family ski get-away in winter. You’ll also find us here in spring, summer, and fall, where endless trails and crystal clear lakes beckon everyone to get outside. Join us hiking and camping in the wilderness, or kicking back at Manning Park Resort, a full-service family resort. Accommodations: RV and tent campsites, hostel, and Manning Park Resort.
COMMUNITIES
Princeton, Coalmont and Tulameen Princeton and its bedroom communities of Coalmont and Tulameen are pure get-away-fromit-all. The Tulameen and Similkameen rivers converge in Princeton, spanned by the Bridge of Dreams where families like to stroll and view the river. Surrounded by ranchlands, rivers, mountains and lakes, this is where the locals go to fish. It’s here where we explore our wide-open spaces by riding and hiking the Trans-Canada Trail, the trails at China Ridge and the trestles and tunnels of the Kettle Valley Railway Trail. It’s also where families converge in August to celebrate Tulameen Family Fun Days. Accommodations: eclectic family-run motels, RV camping, and vacation home rentals.
Hedley Get a glimpse of our mining heritage in Hedley. High above the town, at Mascot Mines, summer tours to the old mine site reveal our prospecting past. While you’re here, pop in to the Snaza’ist Discovery Centre or the Hedley Museum to explore insightful exhibits of our First Nations and the evolution of our town. Accommodations: RV and tent camping, hostel, and B&Bs.
concert or walk the grounds of Western Canada’s only working water wheel powered flour mill. Once used as the local jail, the Keremeos museum is open June-Aug. Use Keremeos as your staging ground for outdoor adventures at the Ashnola recreation area and Cathedral Provincial Park. Accommodations: modest family-run motels, RV and tent camping, B&Bs, Cathedral Lakes Lodge.
Keremeos and Cathedral Lakes Framed by the Similkameen River, Keremeos is surrounded by jagged mountains, orchards, vineyards and farms. It’s where the Similkameen’s winemakers call home. The Fruit Stand Capital of Canada, you can buy the freshest Similkameengrown produce at seasonal fruit stands and markets. Visit the historic Grist Mill and Gardens and take in a
Cawston Just east of Keremeos is the tiny hamlet of Cawston. When we’re not tending to our crops in the Organic Farming Capital of Canada, you’ll find us exploring abundant hiking trails, on almost every terrain imaginable... from cactus and sagebrush desert to sub-alpine meadows. Accommodations: Orchard and vineyard guest suite stays and B&Bs.
There’s lots to explore in Cawston
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Savour
Local Flavours Wine, fruit and the goodness of organics make up the unique tastes of the Similkameen
Left upper inset: Sip award winning wines as you talk to the vintners in the vineyard Left lower inset: Bring the family and gather up all the Similkameen grown goods you can carry Main image: You can taste the sunshine in our fresh fruits
SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY FOOD + WINE
Taste the varied and luscious flavours of our valley at our fruit stands, farmers’ markets, eateries, and in our winery tasting rooms.
Farm Fresh
Our farmers produce a bounty of seasonal goodness
Agriculture is a way of life in the Similkameen Valley. Here you will find growers toiling side-by-side to produce a bounty of seasonal crops. With many generations of farmers in the area, the Similkameen is well known for growing scrumptious sun-kissed fruit, which you will find proudly displayed at fruit stands throughout the valley. In addition, winemakers craft this gorgeous fruit into award-winning grape & fruit wine, which can be perfectly paired for every course at dinner. They are also beautifully paired with a cheese platter or enjoyed while visiting with friends in the sunshine on a
patio or poolside. In the summer, beat the heat with one of our delicious apple ciders. These traditional, hard apple ciders come in both dry and semi-sweet versions. Many of our eateries take pride in creating their dishes from locally sourced ingredients. You can get these same farm fresh items at our fruit stands and farmers’ markets from spring until fall. Every tree fruit you can imagine, including crisp apples, succulent cherries, sunkissed peaches, apricots, fresh vegetables, and more than 200 varieties of peppers are available here. You’ll also find a tasty
assortment of Similkameen honey, jams, preserves, chutney, pies, juices and vinegars. When you travel through Keremeos and Cawston, pop in to see what’s just been picked… fresh from the farm.
The Fruit Stand Capital of Canada A rainbow of colourful stands dot the highway between Keremeos and Cawston, known far and wide as the Fruit Stand Capital of Canada. You can meet some of the friendliest people here over a bushel basket of green beans or a pile of pumpkins. You’ll find growers who’ve just delivered their crops, professional chefs and home cooks shopping for produce in bulk, and folks just stopping to gather picnic supplies for their hike. Many of these fruit stands have been here for over 100 years, offering an array of just-harvested fruits and vegetables. What you’ll also find is exotic Indian dishes and East Asian fashions. It’s a little something different that reflects the diversity of the Similkameen Valley. Canada’s Organic Farming Capital Growing healthy food sustainably is the hallmark of the Organic Farming Institute of BC, headquartered in the Similkameen. With more than 40 per cent of our crops grown organically, this region is considered the Organic Capital
SAVOUR
of Canada. The neardesert environment here provides fantastic growing conditions for grapes, fruits and vegetables, honey, turkey and more. There are over 88 certified organic farms in the Similkameen Valley. Two of five Outstanding Young Farmer Awards have been given to young farmers in the Similkameen. Leading the charge of sustainable farming for 120 years and five generations is Harker’s Organics where you can tour the farm, lunch on just-picked produce and sample their awardwinning fruit wine.
Take your pick at one of our fruit stands
Seasonal Farmers’ Markets While Keremeos and Cawston are the heart of our fruit stands and farmers’ market community, you’ll also find farm-fresh produce and a vast array of locally crafted works of art at our weekly open-air markets in Princeton and Hedley. Look around wineries and coffee shops and you might find other examples of art on display from local artists in our region. ➤
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SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY FOOD + WINE
SAVOUR
Row after row of grapes destined for the crush pad
The Wineries There’s nothing pretentious about Similkameen wines, they’re as down to earth as our winemakers. They are as passionate about our land and our community as they are about the wine they produce. We have over 600 acres of vineyards that grow the grapes that create refreshing whites and complex reds. We were once named “one of the world’s five best wine regions you’ve never heard of,” and are
Photo Kim Lawton
A small sampling of the wines available here
now recognized as “one of BC’s best wine growing regions.” Our sun-soaked summers and persistent winds help create the perfect conditions for growing delicious grapes and fruit in the Similkameen. Combine those elements with the well-drained soil and organic farming processes, and you’ve got the recipe for something mighty tasty. Whether it’s using traditional grapes or treeripened fruit, our wineries consistently turn out grape
Ripening grapes, kissed by the sun and nurtured by the earth
and fruit wines and ciders that are some of the best in the world.
Taste our Terroir Clustered around Keremeos and Cawston, Similkameen wineries are passionately making a name for themselves in this up-andcoming, must visit wine region. With 16 wineries that create everything from Chardonnays to Gewürztraminers, and Merlots to Cabernet
Sauvignons, we are one of the fastest growing wine regions in Canada. Our winemakers are masters at creating single grape varietals and blends that will have you swirling, sipping and smiling your way across the Similkameen. Take your time and discover why our wines have garnered hundreds of awards at regional, national and international competitions. ➤
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SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY FOOD + WINE
Where to Sip Our winemakers are happy to talk to you and share the stories of the rewards and the challenges of pioneering a new wine region. Meet them over
Vineyards near Keremeos
a glass in tasting rooms that double as the winemaker’s living room; on sun-drenched patios while cowboys wrangle horses in paddocks below; beneath the shade of a 100-year old
apple tree and overlooking the shores of the river while eagles circle above. Down home hospitality makes the tasting experience in the Similkameen Valley one you’ll never forget.
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Open Seasonally Open between April/ May and October (and for one special weekend every December) our tasting rooms and special events provide an intimate winery experience where winemakers will keep pouring as long as you’ve got questions! Come on your own or with an organized tour, or make a weekend of it for the full Similkameen experience. Winery Events There are plenty of events celebrating our vintages. We have plenty to be thankful for here, and we love celebrating it! Our 6th annual Similkameen BBQ King event in July at the historic Grist Mill & Gardens in ➤
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SAVOUR
SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY FOOD + WINE
Come experience the Similkameen BBQ King at the Grist Mill
Keremeos is a must attend event. Enjoy this unique Similkameen wine and food competition where featured chefs compete for the coveted title of Similkameen BBQ King or Queen. Other winery events include Seven Stones’
Syp Syp Syrah held in their underground caves, Orofino’s 1.6 Mile Dinner, summer concerts at the Grist Mill and Gardens, and our wineries’ Christmas Open Houses. Come celebrate Similkameen wines with us.
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The Eateries The mouth-watering flavours of the Similkameen are real good, real fresh, and really easily accessible. Culinary pioneers have moved to our bountiful valley, sourcing fresh Similkameen ingredients, creating unique eateries along the way. From the home-style, family-run restaurants of Princeton and Hedley to an eclectic dining scene in Keremeos, there are plenty of ways to satisfy your craving for authentic Similkameen flavour. In Princeton, breathe in the fresh air on the outdoor patio at Thomasina’s for made from scratch breads,
scones, Welsh cakes and more! Family friendly fare can be found at Billy’s Family Restaurant, named for Princeton’s gentleman train robber, Billy Miner. Down the highway, just 6 km west of Hedley, is Doug’s Homestead. Come celebrate their ➤
Scratch made baked goods at Thomasina’s
SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY FOOD + WINE 25th anniversary with delicious handcrafted jerky, pepperoni, sausages, smoked bacon and more. In the town of Hedley is the Hitching Post, a rugged and rustic restaurant known for its hospitality and its locally grown fare. Watch for Gregor’s Gourmet food truck in the spring and fall as it makes its way through the Similkameen Valley. This 2012 Similkameen BBQ King, Red Seal Chef serves up amazing creations that will have your taste buds dancing in your mouth. Travel to Keremeos and you may be surprised at the diverse eateries tucked away here. Benja Thai is known throughout the region as “Thai worth the drive”. Check out the Grist
Taste the pride in craftsmanship at Doug’s Homestead
Mill and Gardens for Sunday brunch with fresh heritage ingredients. This working agricultural site with Victorian Style ornamental gardens grows heritage varieties of wheat, tomatoes, carrots, and some odd crops like Zucca melon from Africa where gourds can weigh up to 120 lbs. They have
an apple tree orchard with over 50 heritage varieties. Come for a picnic, lunch, or one of our special occasions. For something exotic, check out Sanderson Farms Fruitstand and Samosa Garden Restaurant, known for their homemade pakoras, samosas and a wide range
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of curries. Head over to the Branding Iron where the 2013 Similkameen BBQ King will whip you up everything from a premium steak to seafood to a full vegetarian meal. Tree to Me is the place to go for a walk through a lavender patch and eat scrumptious pie, tarts or chocolate raspberry cake, washed down with a specialty coffee or herbal tea. For gluten free alternatives check out Valu-Plus Foods for a line of gluten-free treats baked on site. Bring your sense of adventure and your appetite on a gastronomic voyage through the Similkameen Valley and embark on your own culinary adventure.
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The Essence
Our Story From mild to wild, these are the tales of an authentically Similkameen adventure
Inset: Follow the Red Bridge through a storybook landscape on the road to endless adventures Main image: Soaking up the sun in the Similkameen River
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THE ESSENCE OF THE VALLEY
Carved by the River Imagine the stories you’ll tell after a visit to the Similkameen to experience the history, the places, and the people. Come explore this rugged and rustic land’s stunning scenery and the welcoming pioneering spirit of the people.
Carved by the River The Similkameen’s raw, natural beauty is a reminder of how powerful water can be. Marvel at this valley carved by the Similkameen River over 200 million years ago as it made its way down the Cascade Mountains. All around you will see open ranchlands and meadows of alfalfa waving
in the breeze, with craggy cliffs, lush orchards, and vineyards that morph into semi-arid grasslands. Take your time, breathe it in, feel the sun, and taste the bounty of our valley. The best way to explore is to follow the river that runs through the heart of our valley. It’s where you’ll find us, floating by Bromley Rock, fishing, picnicking and relishing the beauty of where we live. We’ve been happy to share it with generations of travellers, and we’d love to share it with you.
Where Pioneering Spirits Flourish Spread your wings in
OUR STORY
Go with the flow in the Similkameen
the Similkameen and uncover local lore told by the very pioneers who continue to shape our story. Legends abound of the Similkameen First Nation, the Tulameen Gold Rush, and the days of the Hudson Bay Brigade. Listen to our stories
unfold at the Snaza’ist Discovery Centre, the Grist Mill and Gardens, and at Princeton’s Museum where expert curators find inventive ways to bring our heritage alive. Be part of creating new legends filled with grit and adventures along the ➤
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OUR STORY wilderness trails of China Ridge, and Manning and Cathedral Lake Parks. Gaze in awe as you stand under a 100-year-old apple tree, and realize most of the orchards here are relatively new. Then savour the flavours of an emerging wine region.
Slow Down in the Similkameen Time appears to move at little slower in the Similkameen. We love to wave back, so feel free to wave as you go by. Ask for directions, we love to help people get to their next adventure. We may even tell you a bit about ourselves, our ancestors, and how we came to live in this exquisite valley. Our unforgettable experiences
THE ESSENCE OF THE VALLEY may surprise you, but our hospitality won’t. Come and visit any time. Plenty of wildlife live here, including eagles, mountain goats and Big Horn sheep. In winter visit Manning Park for skiing, snowshoe China Ridge Trails or chop a hole in one of our lakes and try ice fishing. In spring our valley blooms with colour and our rodeos thrill. Take in countless summer events from wine festivals to BBQ challenges, First Nations Pow Wow and endurance races. In fall, taste your way across the valley at our harvest events, sample our award winning wines, and sink your teeth into just-baked pies made of fruit picked that morning.
Heritage Our storied past comes alive at interpretive centres and museums throughout the Similkameen Valley. We are proud of a heritage steeped in exploration and Study up on the Similkameen Nation at the Snaza’ist Discovery Centre
discovery. Marvel as our curators bring the past to life. From museums in Princeton, Keremeos and
Hedley, to the Snaza’ist Discovery Centre and the Grist Mill and Gardens, learn our stories as you walk in the footsteps of our pioneers and prospectors. See, taste and learn about the Similkameen from our local experts. Take the Fractured Rock tour where gold panning the river leads you to Mascot Gold Mine, high above Hedley. Discover sustainable farming with a tour and lunch at Harker’s Organics. Or tour our wineries with a pro, learning how our unique growing conditions helped build one of BC’s fastest growing wine regions.
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Learning is hands-on at the Princeton Museum & Archives
Arts & Culture Explore a cultural arts scene as varied as the landscapes of the Similkameen Valley, bursting with music and food, bronco bucks and aboriginal dancers, fiddle players and celebrated Canadian artists. Spring marks the arrival of rodeo season when the dusty air is alive with the scent of BBQ sauce and bulls. Take in any of three signature events — the Chopaka Rodeo, the Elk’s Rodeo, or the Princeton’s Stan Thompson Memorial Rodeo and see
our cowboys in action. Be serenaded under the stars at the Grist Mill and Gardens summer concert series featuring Canadian name and rising acts. Watch Princeton’s Veterans Square Gazebo come alive in summer with an art and music experience every Saturday. Celebrate the Traditional Music Festival when it hits the streets of Princeton in August, or explore the richness of our rural life at Princeton’s Agricultural Fall Fair.
The Grist Mill & Gardens – home to special events and the summer concert series
Events
Celebrate the best of the Similkameen, at rodeos and trail races, and at music, food and wine, and other festivals throughout the year. For more information on these, and other events visit SimilkameenValley.com/events, or stop by our Visitor Centres, we’ll tell you what’s on the calendar when you visit.
JANUARY > Minor hockey and curling bonspiels in Princeton
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FEBRUARY > Family Day events – Manning Park and China Ridge Trails > Princeton Rotary Wine Festival > Curling Bonspiels and Snowmobile Poker Run - Princeton
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JUNE > Manning Park Bird Blitz > Chugger Mountain Bike Challenge > Princeton’s Stan Thompson Memorial Rodeo > Spirit Festival – Princeton > Little Britches Rodeo – Princeton
MARCH > Kelowna Ballet comes to Princeton > Bear Trap Telemark Festival and Slush Cup at Manning Park
JULY > Canada Day Celebrations – throughout the valley > Princeton Show & Shine Car Show and Racing Days > Similkameen BBQ King > Summer concert series at Grist Mill and Gardens > Princeton Racing Days
APRIL > Live Theatre – Princeton > Chopaka Rodeo MAY > Elk’s Rodeo – Keremeos > Little Britches Rodeo – Princeton > Meadowlark Festival – selected sites throughout the Valley > Syp Syp Syrah at Seven Stones Winery > Crowsnest Roots Silver Anniversary > Tulameen Marketplace
Photo Dierra Mayna
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AUGUST > Fat Dog 120 endurance trail race – Cathedral Park to Manning Park
> Kars Under the K – Keremeos > Orofino’s 1.6 Mile Dinner – Cawston > ULTRA515 endurance triathlon > Princeton Traditional Music Festival > Tulameen Family Fun Days > Summer concert series at Grist Mill and Gardens > Similkameen Pow Wow SEPTEMBER > Princeton Agricultural Fall Fair > Princeton Motorsport Weekend > Heritage Fall Fair at the Grist Mill & Gardens > Similkameen Sizzle – Keremeos OCTOBER > Zombie Walk and Family Fun Halloween Festival – Princeton > Apple Day at the Grist Mill & Gardens – Keremeos > Taste of our Valley – Keremeos NOVEMBER > Christmas Light up – Princeton DECEMBER > Similkameen Wineries Holiday Open Houses > Christmas Light up – Keremeos > Tulameen Winter Festival
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Princeton Rode
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