The Keremeos Visitors Centre, built in 2008 is the replica of the Great Northern Railway Station. The history of the Lower Similkameen Valley is depicted in the beautiful murals that greet visitors as they open the doors of the centre making this the best place to start your visit. Looking to know where to take a wine tasting tour to enjoy the amazing wines of the Similkameen? Need directions to Grist Mill & Gardens, one of the nine Heritage Sites in British Columbia? Here is where you’ll find the best tips for that. You can even just make a short detour to enjoy the playground, take your pet for a walk & view the beautiful gardens & Memorial Park that surround the centre. www.similkameenvalley.com/directory/listing/keremeos-visitor-centre
Another community surrounded in glorious vistas & nature. Another chance to bike the trails, visit the lakes, go fishing, visit a nearby ghost town, or go on guided tours on horseback or on foot. Known as the Fruit Stand Capital of Canada, the fruit stands & orchards abound with fresh, healthy produce to enjoy while visiting or take home to freeze or preserve to enjoy & evoke those summer memories in the winter downtime at home.
The historic Grist Mill & Gardens are the last of its kind in Western Canada. You’ll step back in time when you bring the family & spend the day here. You can watch the grains get milled into flour, tour the gardens & have a picnic on the expansive grounds. Better yet, why not stay awhile at the family oriented campground that is nestled in the shade next to Keremeos Creek.
The Red Bridge was built in 1907 as a railway bridge so trains could cross the Similkameen River. It is one of the few covered bridges left in the west. The Old Tower Farm & its unusual water town date back to 1908 when it provided pressure for the home’s plumbing. Inflate an inner tube, hope into the river at the Bridge & float your way to Pine Park.
Facts
- The people of Keremeos love to celebrate! Join in on the events at the Grist Mill & Gardens like Canada Day, Kars under the K (family fun – a yummy pancake breakfast, a beverage garden, vendors’ alley, plus great music, swimming and a car show with hundreds of antique and vintage cars, trucks, tractors, muscle cars and street rods, custom and classic cars
- Running for nearly 20 years, the Similkameen Sizzle is Canada’s only hot pepper festival! The Friday evening dance kicks things off, followed by a Saturday pancake breakfast, chili cook-off, lots of vendors, local food, wines and ciders, a bouncy castle, wellness tent and a beverage garden and a hot pepper eating contest to really spice things up
- If you’re travelling later in the year, enjoy the Keremeos Christmas Light-Up for a weekend filled with festive activities. Tour the award-winning Similkameen Wineries, stop in at the Grist Mill & Gardens, enjoy the talented local artisans and artists, and do your Christmas by shopping local!
- Exploring the lush alpine lakes and glacier topped peaks at Cathedral Lakes is fascinatingly beautiful or head out fishing for mountain whitefish at higher altitudes, or trout in the lower lakes and rivers
The Keremeos prevailing climate is known as a local steppe climate, with little rainfall throughout the year. The temperature here averages 9.2 °C (48.6 °F).
Destination BC is developing a new campaign to promote hyper-local travel where residents are “tourists-in-their own hometown,” while practising the COVID-19 safety protocols as recommended by the B.C. Provincial Health Officer. Many B.C. parks are now open, and national parks were to open as of June 1.
(Check this website for current details on travel.)
Getting Here
Driving: It takes about 4 hours to drive from Vancouver to Keremeos. It’s approximately 350 km (135 mi) via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 E and BC-3 E by car.
Map
Explore some of the West Coast’s most scenic hikes.