Please note: The Othello tunnels will remain closed for the 2023 season due to heavy storm damage from November 2021.
Driving between the Rocky Mountains near Calgary and the Coast Mountains near Vancouver deserves a spot on every road tripper’s bucket list. Wondering where to stop along the way? Here are some don’t-miss options.
This mountain town is surrounded by national parks, making it the perfect base for outdoor adventure. Head to Yoho National Park to see the impressive Takkakaw Falls, or ride laps in the Kicking Horse Bike Park. Don’t miss Boo, the resort’s resident grizzly, at the Grizzly Bear Refuge. Fuel up at Whitetooth Mountain Bistro and stretch your legs as you cross the Golden Skybridge 426 feet in the air.
Visit GoldenFuelled by mountain culture and filled with outdoor enthusiasts, Revelstoke is the perfect place for a pit stop. Drive up the Meadows in the Sky Parkway—one of the only vehicle-accessible meadows in BC—to enjoy endless hiking trails; jump on a mountain bike and ride the local trails; or head out of town to the Enchanted Forest and Three Valley Gap Ghost Town.
Tourism RevelstokeStop in the small community of Salmon Arm and give your legs a stretch. Better yet, head to Canoe Beach for a swim or a paddle in Shuswap Lake. This is a water lover’s paradise, with houseboating one of the best ways to enjoy time on the water. Some suggested stops? Grass Root Dairies, picking up fresh fruit from road-side vendors, and the Water Slides & RV Park.
Visit Salmon ArmLookout for tumbleweeds in the sun-drenched grasslands of the interior. Listening to Music in the Park while watching the sunset over Mt. Paul is one the best ways to spend a summer night in Kamloops. Also be sure to check out Paul Lake, Kamloops Wildlife Park, and ride the endless trails in this mountain bike mecca. Some of the top spots for two wheels: Kamloops Bike Ranch, Kenna Cartwright Park, Rosehill, and Sun Peaks Resort Bike Park.
Tourism KamloopsStart the journey off right with a stop at Home Restaurant for a legendary slice of pie. Then walk it off at the Othello Quintette Tunnels in Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, just north of Hope. These impressive tunnels are carved out of solid granite along once active railways, and are now part of the Kettle Valley Railway Trail, an impressive and lengthy bike route.
Tourism HopeFrom Kamloops head north to Wells Gray Provincial Park, and check out Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. From Salmon Arm, head south to the Okanagan Valley and explore the wineries in BC’s largest wine region.
Always check trail conditions before you head out, and no matter what outdoor activity you are planning, be prepared.
Plan Your RouteCheck Drive BC for the latest information on road closures around the province.
Check ConditionsFollow these tips to travel safely and responsibly in BC this season.
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