Thompson Okanagan Things To Do

Summerland Trout Hatchery

Established in 1928, Summerland Trout Hatchery is the oldest, continuously running trout hatchery in BC. It rears mainly Pennask-Lake-strain rainbow trout and stocks fish for approximately 275 lakes in the BC interior each year. It's the only trout hatchery that relies on spring water rather than pumped groundwater. There is an interpretive centre on the premises that features aquariums, educational models, videos and displays - all of which makes for a fun and informative day out for the whole family.

Summerland Trout Hatchery is a 15-minute drive north from Penticton via Highway 97.

A word or two on your visit:

• No admission fee in effect
• Approximate time required: 1 hour

> Summerland Hatchery website

Wells Gray Provincial Park

Immense Wells Gray Provincial Park makes for one of the best wildlife-viewing destinations in BC. Large land mammals in the park include black and grizzly bears, wolves, cougars, lynx, bobcats, wolverine, moose, deer, mountain goats and caribou. Moose gather around Green Mountain in winter. Bears can often be seen grazing at the roadsides in spring or feeding on fish in the rivers and streams in late summer/early fall. They feed mainly on salmon, which can be seen jumping up Bailey's Chute and churning up the horseshoe of Clearwater River in great numbers in August. Martens, mink, weasels, squirrels and chipmunks are among the park's smaller mammal residents. Bird species number over 200.

Wells Gray Provincial Park is a one-hour drive north from Clearwater via the Clearwater Valley Road. If you enter the park via Clearwater Valley Road, stop in at the park's Visitor Centre for information on current wildlife viewing opportunities before you set out in search of fauna.

> Wells Gray Park website

Rearguard Falls Provincial Park

Rearguard Falls marks the end of a long, arduous journey for chinook salmon, the largest Pacific salmon species. After surviving several years in the Pacific Ocean, they return to the Fraser River and travel 1,200 km (746 mi) to the falls. Some battle their way up the falls but most stop and spawn in stretches of river just downstream - all of which is a wonder to watch. The spawning season lasts from August through September. The Rearguard Falls viewpoint on the Rearguard Falls Trail is the best place to see the salmon. You may also spot American dipper birds searching for salmon eggs in the water. You will certainly hear songbirds trilling away in the surrounding forest.

Rearguard Falls Provincial Park is a 15-minute drive north from Valemount via Highways 5 and 16.

> Rearguard Falls Park website

Adams River (R. Haig-Brown Provincial Park)

1,076-ha (2,659-ac) Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park is famous for its salmon runs. The Adams River sockeye run in early October is one of the largest in North America. Fish numbers swell significantly every four years. These "dominant runs" create superb viewing opportunities in the channel next to the park parking lot (2006 and 2010 will be dominant runs). Eagles can often be seen soaring overhead during these runs. Other wildlife in the park includes white-tailed and mule deer, black bears, beavers, river otters and mink.

Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park straddles the Adams River between Adams Lake and Shuswap Lake. It is a one-hour drive east from Kamloops via Highway 1.

> R. Haig-Brown Park website

BC Wildlife Park

At BC Wildlife Park, you can view 65 local and endangered wildlife species, from grizzlies to cougars and rare burrowing owls. The indoor facilities include the Discovery Centre and Eco-Discovery Gallery.

Some offerings are seasonal but at all times of the year, you’ll find naturalists and other knowledgeable staff on hand to answer your questions.