4 best winter day trips from Kamloops

If you’re interested in exploring the Thompson-Nicola region and beyond, there’s no better place to start than from Kamloops. From here, you can explore incredible scenery and taste unique eats from each individual destination. Whichever day trip you choose, you’ll return to Kamloops with many memories of your day on the road.

Check out one of the oldest towns in B.C.

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Around a two hour drive from Kamloops, Lillooet provides variety, perfect for those on a day trip. Surrounded by epic beauty, this little town is situated at an elevation of approximately 250 meters and is surrounded by peaks of the Coast Mountains.

This hidden gem offers activities for those adventure seekers and for those who like to take the day at a slower pace. For those wanting to get their blood flowing, you can take an ice climbing day-trip as Lillooet has some of the most incredible frozen waterfalls made perfect for glacier climbs. Once you’ve conquered your climb, make a stop at the tasting room at Fort Berens Estate Winery, Lillooet’s first commercial vineyard.

Hike the historic trails in Lillooet, starting with Lillooet's Golden Mile of History or adventure to Red Rock and get a view of the canyon, rivers, and the mountains beyond. From one trail to another, make the most out of your trip with the endless activities in Lillooet!

Step back in time in Quilchena

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Set against rolling hills and overlooking Nicola Lake, is the community of Quilchena and The historic Quilchena Hotel. This 1900s antique is approximately an hour drive from Kamloops which makes for the perfect day trip.

In the midst of Nicola Valley, Quilchena is the perfect place to explore when you need to escape the city for a day. Spend the day exploring the beautiful ranchland and enjoy a fine meal at the hotel’s licensed restaurant. Don’t forget to check out the saloon’s original bar, as it has bullet holes that have made it world famous!

Explore the Clearwater area

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Not new to most Kamloopsians, Clearwater is around a two-hour drive from Kamloops and acts as a natural playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Cascading waterfalls, endless trail systems and glacier-fed lakes are just a few the places to play in Clearwater.

After cross-country skiing the trails between the Candle Mountain Trail System and Wells Grey Park, stop in for a bite at The Old Caboose Restaurant — built from an old railway caboose.

See the sights in Shuswap country

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Just over an hour drive — and one of the prettiest — the Shuswap area is a true day trip destination as it offers many winter pursuits.

Have a tasty lunch at the Blue Canoe Bakery or Ecotreats before you head out to explore the hills by snowshoe. Grab a craft beer at the Barley Station Brew Pub which has an onsite brewery that produces small batch handcrafted beer.

Want a day spent perusing shops? Downtown Salmon Arm has many cute, local shops to check out!