The Thompson Okanagan is home to some of the most fragile ecosystems in the country, which makes for varied and unique wildlife viewing opportunities.
Wildlife highlights in the Okanagan region include the Adams River sockeye salmon run, the unique life in Canada's only desert, bird and wildlife viewing in stunning grasslands, and wildlife viewing in Mount Robson, one of BC’s premiere parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Interested in bird watching? The Thompson Okanagan is a paradise. More than 300 species of birds can be found here, including many at-risk and endangered species.
Looking for thrills? A guided jet boat river safari in the Monashee Mountains offers spectacular wildlife viewing and scenery.
Abundant Wildlife in Provincial Parks
These Thompson Okanagan parks are well-known for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities including hiking, sightseeing and camping:
Wells Gray Provincial Park
Wells Gray is one of the best wildlife viewing parks in the province. The park is well-known for its population of bear, moose and salmon. It's also popular for sightseeing, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding and river rafting.
Wells Gray Park has more than 20 operators offering guided wildlife tours and other activities throughout the park. The Wells Gray Visitor Centre is located at the entrance to the park and offers up-to-date information on all park activities.
Mount Robson Provincial Park
Great wildlife viewing opportunities exist in this Rocky Mountain park. Driving through the park corridor keep eyes open for moose, elk, mule deer, coyote, bears and assorted wildfowl, and watch the cliffs for resident mountain goats. In June wildlife enthusiasts gather to enjoy the incredible bird population.
Hiking, camping, canoeing and sightseeing are popular activities in Mount Robson Provincial Park. Visit the Mount Robson Visitor Centre for wildlife tour and travel information.
Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area
Two prime wildlife-viewing areas are the Tranquille Wildlife Management Area and the McQueen Lake Ecological Reserve.
Located only minutes from Kamloops, the park’s scenic grasslands, ponds and cliffs provide prime habitat for California bighorn sheep, mule deer, moose, coyotes, beaver, muskrat, river otter and a wide variety of bird life including eagles, osprey, falcons, goose and swans.
Vaseux Lake Provincial Park
Vaseux Lake and the surrounding Wildlife Protected Area offer excellent wildlife viewing. Herds of California Bighorn sheep can be seen from the edge of the highway at the north end of the lake. A boardwalk and viewing platforms overlook a waterfowl sanctuary and offers excellent bird watching. Vaseux Lake is located between Penticton and Oliver.
Interactive Wildlife Experience
At BC Wildlife Park view 65 local and endangered wildlife species including grizzly and black bears, cougars and rare burrowing owls.
In addition to a large selection of BC wildlife, the park is home to a habitat discovery centre and birds of prey flight demonstrations. The park is located just east of Kamloops on Highway 1.
Salmon Viewing Areas
The Thompson Okanagan region is home to one of the world's largest salmon runs. In addition to the world-famous Adams River, there are other great salmon and trout watching areas.
Adams River
Sockeye return to the river each year, but every fourth year marks a dominant cycle when millions of fish return to the spawning beds. During these peak periods (2010 and 2014 are the next dominant years) the river turns crimson with sockeye salmon. Tens of thousands of visitors flock to the park for the
“Salute to the Sockeye” festival and to witness one of nature’s great spectacles.
Rearguard Falls Provincial Park
The sight of leaping Chinook, the largest Pacific salmon species, battling to get through Rearguard Falls is a sight to behold. The salmon can be seen from a viewpoint along the Rearguard Falls Trail, located in Rearguard Falls Provincial Park, a 15-minute drive north of
Valemount via Hwy 4 and 16.
Bailey's Chute
Giant chinook salmon can be seen trying to leap these impassable falls on the Clearwater River in
Wells Gray Provincial Park. Watch from a viewing platform and have your camera ready as these 40-lb/18kg fish become airborne.
Summerland Trout Hatchery
This trout hatchery supplies fish to over 200 lakes in BC. Guided or self-guided tours include fish viewing and the on-site interpretive center features aquariums, videos, displays and educational models. The hatchery is located in
Summerland on scenic Okanagan Lake.
Clearwater Trout Hatchery
Located near
Wells Gray Provincial Park, the hatchery releases 3 million fish each year and provides viewing for rainbow trout and kokanee salmon.
Wildlife Viewing in Canada’s Only Desert
The northern edge of the Sonoran Desert lies in
Osoyoos and provides a fascinating look at desert wildlife, flora and fauna.
Osoyoos Desert Centre
This
education and research facility offers a rare look into a fragile desert ecosystem. A raised boardwalk allows visitors to view over 100 rare plants.
NK’Mip Desert Cultural CentreAdopt a rattlesnake at this award-winning
interpretive center. Walk the extensive trail network on guided or self-guided tours and learn about the wildlife, birds, plants and insects that make up one of Canada’s most endangered ecosystems.
Learn more about
bear viewing and bear safety and
bird watching in the Thompson Okanagan region.
For information on wildlife safety, practical points and viewing tips visit the
BC wildlife page.