The Thompson Okanagan region is home to some of the most fragile ecosystems in Canada, which makes for varied and unique wildlife viewing opportunities.
Wildlife highlights here include seeing the Adams River sockeye salmon run, learning about unique creatures in Canada's only desert, and spotting Rocky Mountain wildlife in Mount Robson, one of BC’s premiere parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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
Home to one of the most spectacular sights in nature, the Adams River sockeye run takes place in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park.
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 (2014 is the next dominant year) 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. For an even closer view of spawning salmon, try a river rafting trip down the Fraser River with Maligne Rafting Adventures.
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 40lb/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 three 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
The Osoyoos Desert Centre offers a rare look into a fragile desert ecosystem. A raised boardwalk allows visitors to view more than 100 rare plants.
Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre
Adopt a rattlesnake at the award-winning Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre. 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.
For information on wildlife safety, practical points and viewing tips visit the BC Wildlife Tours page.
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