Osoyoos is so warm, sunny and beautiful that it's impossible to stay indoors for long. Luckily, there's plenty to do outside! You can walk along one of the many interpretive nature trails in the area or cycle on the 18.4-km (11.4-mi) International Hiking and Biking Trail, which passes many winery turn-offs by the time it reaches its end point just north of
Oliver.
Guided horseback rides through lands belonging to the Osoyoos First Nations are a good way to experience the desert and learn a little First Nations history at the same time. Then there's golf, which can be played 10 months a year in the area. Test your skills on the 27-hole course at the Osoyoos Golf and Country Club or the nine-hole Sonora Dunes desert course. There are other courses nearby.
Osoyoos has two stand-out cultural and historic attractions: the Osoyoos Museum and the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre. The high quality of the museum's exhibits has made it "The Best Small Town Museum in BC," according to the University of British Columbia, while its Nk'Mip Day School Art Collection is particularly good.
The Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre celebrates thousands of years of Aboriginal habitation of the Nk'Mip Desert, one of Canada's three most endangered ecosystems. Learn about the living culture of the Okanagan people through tours, programs and interactive displays. There are also self-guided interpretive trails, one wheelchair accessible, through 20 ha (50 ac) of sage grasslands and ponderosa pine forests. The wheelchair-accessible trail features interpretive signs, benches and shady armadas, where you can relax and enjoy lovely views of Osoyoos Lake and the surrounding cliffs.
Osoyoos is home to two desert interpretive centres. The Osoyoos Desert Centre focuses on ecology and education, while the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre offers over four km (2.5 mi) of self-guided interpretive paths through the desert. Also worth a visit are: Nk'Mip Cellars, the first Aboriginal winery in North America; the Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad, which is on its way to becoming the largest Marklin display in North America (over one km (0.6 mi) of track); plus Rattlesnake Canyon's bumper boats, go-karts, adventure golf, climbing wall and arcade.
Winter, spring, summer and fall, Osoyoos is abuzz with family-focused special events that celebrate everything from cherries to rock and roll. There are even street dances. The shops in town are largely owner-operated boutiques that sell unique items and provide personal service. If you visit in summer, be sure to check out the Saturday morning Farmers' Market.
If you're visiting Osoyoos with your family, make a point of visiting Haynes Point Provincial Park on Osoyoos Lake. One of the most popular provincial parks in BC, it has picnic sites, a dog beach and an excellent interpretive nature walk. Most of its 41 campsites are right on the lake (reserve well in advance). If you're a birder, head straight for the Osoyoos Oxbows at the north end of Osoyoos Lake. Visit in May and you can talk shop with hundreds of amateur ornithologists in town for the Meadowlark Festival. Finally, for a breathtaking view, drive to the summit of Mt. Kobau, which overlooks grasslands, forests, the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, Osoyoos Lake as well as the Cascade Mountain Range. Mt. Kobau is also Canada's premier location for star gazing.
Rest and relaxation come naturally in Osoyoos. It is, after all, a "lifestyle town" favoured by snowbirds, wine enthusiasts and nature buffs. There are lots of ways to get into the serene spirit of things; you might try floating around Osoyoos Lake on an air mattress, riding around town on a horse-drawn carriage or booking a full-body massage at Sante Spa. Or you can simply take to the beach with a good book and sunscreen in hand.
Osoyoos may be located in a desert but that doesn't mean that water is scarce! The city sits on the edge of Osoyoos Lake, a well-known swimming, boating and fishing (bass, carp, trout) destination. Local beaches are fabulous: Cottonwood Beach, with its warm, shallow water and public restrooms, is popular with families; Lions Beach has slightly deeper water and lots of amenities; while Gyro Beach, the largest, is the site of many events, including the Cherry Fiesta/Canada Day celebration on July 1st. It also has many amenities and plenty of shade trees. You can rent boats, canoes, Jet Skis® and even large watercraft at the various marinas that dot the lakeshore.
Osoyoos is a wonderful place to spend all or part of the winter. The Mt. Baldy ski area is less than an hour's drive away and offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and even "Frisbee golf." If you visit in February or March (depending on the weather), you can divide your days between the ski hill and the golf course.