Discovering Kamloops
Kamloops has a great outdoor environment with plenty of activities for all! Whether you visit in the summer, winter, fall, or spring there is something here for you to do. Kamloops is relatively dry which makes outdoor activities easier to plan during the seasons. It has a mix of semi-arid desert, grasslands, forests, and mountainous landscapes.
Kamloops’ Diverse Landscapes
Kamloops has been shaped by a variety of geological features which makes it very unique. Volcanic activity, glaciation, and erosion has happened over millions of years to form what we now know as Kamloops. As glaciers retreated they have carved out the areas known as hoodoos, which make great hiking trails. Kamloops is also surrounded by mountains which makes it great for many outdoor activities.
Top Outdoor Activities for Nature Lovers
In the spring, summer, and fall there are lots of great biking trails including a bike ranch. This bike ranch is a 26 hectare area with a ton of trails to ride. Other areas like Kenna Cartwright Park are great for biking and hiking. This park has many trails ranging from forest views to views of the city and Kamloops Lake. Kamloops Lake is a great spot for those that love water activities and they even rent out paddle boards to use for the day. If you come in the winter and want to get outside, you can do some winter hiking or snowshoeing. Kamloops is also a short drive away from Harper Mountain and Sun Peaks as well for those wanting to ski or snowboard.
Wildlife Watch
Kamloops has a diverse wildlife population that is great for animal lovers. Deer can be seen all around Kamloops and we even have a resident deer family on campus! Other common animals include coyotes and many types of birds. For those who love bird watching, many of the parks around Kamloops like Lac du Bois and Kenna Cartwright are great spots to see them. The Westsyde petting zoo is a great place to get up close to some animals while supporting local, you can feed the goats by purchasing food available.
Written by Future Student Ambassador, Kira Schmidt (2025)
