Osoyoos & Area

Slap on the sunscreen and get ready for a true summer experience!

There is plenty to see and do in Osoyoos. Bring the whole family! Everyone including teenagers and toddlers will have a fun time making Osoyoos your ideal vacation spot. If you love being amongst nature, you'll love Osoyoos. As Canada's only desert, there are some extraordinary places to visit. Enjoy the opportunity to see many rare animals such as endangered owls, tiger salamanders and badgers as well as enjoy plants and scenery that can not be found anywhere else.

Osoyoos is always buzzing with exciting things to do. From festivals to dances, families will be fully entertained on their vacation. Take part in the Okanagan's annual Spring Wine Festival, or spend the afternoon at one of the many world class golf courses. No trip to Osoyoos is complete without taking part in at least one winery tour and tasting.

Whatever you choose to do while staying Osoyoos, the reservation agents at Okanagan Vacation Home Rentals are here to assist you. We offer the largest selection of Osoyoos Lodging and our knowledgeable staff has first hand experience with all of our resort properties. Call us with any questions you may have about Osoyoos accommodations, local events or anything else you can think of.

Okanagan Vacation Home Rentals is located in downtown Kelowna, only 1 1/2 hours drive from Osoyoos. Because each and every one of our staff members live here, we are uniquely qualified to suggest local activities and attractions that may be of interest to you. Take a look at these great suggestions from staff members and if you have any questions about Osoyoos and area please feel free to give us a call.

"Nk'Mip Cellars is a great winery in the Osoyoos area."

Pronounced in-ka-meep, Nk'Mip Cellars is North Americas first Aoriginal owned and operated winery. The estate offers impressive views overlooking Osoyoos Lake as well as the opportunity to taste & purchase a great selection of Okanagan wine.

"If you're travelling with children they are sure to enjoy an afternoon of mini-golf and go-karts".

Rattlesnake Canyon Amusement Park is located at 5502 Main Street, a block away from Osoyoos Lake and offers go-karts, mini-golf, bumper boats, rock climbing, an ice cream parlour and more.

"Experience Okanagan fine dining from the scenic patio of Burrowing Owl Winery."

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery features a restaurant, gift store and offers a complimentary, behind the scenes, guided tour of the wine making process.

It is easy to unwind in Osoyoos with it's tranquil setting. Yes, you can be very active but you can also sit back and take it easy.

The Irrigation Canal Walkway, a popular 5km round trip trail, can be reached on 62nd Avenue just north of the Osoyoos Secondary School. The trail meanders along an abandoned section of the irrigation canal that was once the lifeline for Osoyoos and opened up the area for the fruit industry. You can see the impact of this canal as one side of the trail remains in a natural state with sage and antelope brush, while the orchards on the other side reveal the effect water has on the land.

Osoyoos is located at the southern end of Canada's Okanagan Valley directly on the United States border. The city is located 400 km East of Vancouver, or 600 km West of Calgary, AB. If you are travelling from the United States, make sure you have your passport and proper documents for border crossing.

The nearest major airport is located in Kelowna. Kelowna International Airport is the 10th busiest airport in all of Canada, offering daily flights to Seattle, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto. Available airlines include Jazz, WestJet, Air Canada, Horizon Air (Alaska), Harmony Airways and Regional 1 Airlines.

When flying into Kelowna taxi, shuttle and car rental services are available inside the terminal.

Osoyoos offers a nearly unlimited supply of activities and local attractions. Take advantage of the warmest lake in Canada by renting a boat or jetski, or simply walk the shores and take in the bright summer sun. During the summer there is always festivals and special events to take in.

During the winter winter, take the short 50 minute drive to Mt. Baldy Ski Resort and enjoy the light, fluffy champagne powder that the Okanagan is famous for.

Boating

Osoyoos Lake is the warmest fresh water lake in Canada and the perfect place for you and your family to spend your summer vacation. Osoyoos often experiences temperatures between 30 to 35 degrees Celsius during the summer months and so the lake provides an excellent way to cool off. There are several local companies that rent power boats for wakeboarding, waterskiing and tubing.

Camping

Camping is a great way to enjoy the beautiful Okanagan valley scenery. There are many campgrounds in and around the Osoyoos area, many with lakefront locations and full service amenities. Nk'Mip Resort Campground offers over 130 lakefront sites and all the amenities you can imagine. Make sure to book your spots early (April 1) as they fill up extremely fast.

Entertainment Park

A family favourite and attraction you won’t want to miss is Rattlesnake Canyon, an amusement park that features a western mining theme. With an 18 hole mini-golf course, go-karts, bumper boats and arcade children of all ages are sure to be entertained. Also make sure to visit the Osoyoos Windmill which offers an outside climbing wall, bungee trampoline and ejections seat ride.

Festivals

Summers in Osoyoos are full of festivals and cultural events. One of the most popular is the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival, which takes place over 4 days in May and offers tourists a chance to sample local artisan’s products, tour wineries and bid on items during the annual silent auction. Another popular event is the Osoyoos Cherry Fiesta, a festival which has been running since the 1950's. Take part in all sorts of festivities such as a pancake breakfast, pie eating contest, beer gardens and more. Ask your reservation agent for dates of these and other local events.

Golf

Osoyoos is home to several world class golf courses. One of the most popular is the Osoyoos Golf & Country Club which offers a 27-hole championship course with three distinct sections including The Desert Course, Park Nine and Meadow Nine. Make sure to book your tee times early as courses can be extremely busy during the summer months.

Hiking

Osoyoos offers a variety of hiking and mountain biking trails. A local favourite is Mt. Kobau, which offers a great hike in the summer as well as snowshoeing terrain in the winter. At the summit Mt. Kobau offers a breathtaking view Osoyoos and the surrounding orchards.

Horseback Riding

With several ranches within a few minutes drive of town, you and your family can experience the beautiful Okanagan scenery on horseback. Some of the ranches also offer pony rides for children and winter sleigh rides. Ask your reservation agent for more details.

Nightlife

Osoyoos features a great selection of restaurants and local pubs. Stop by the Lady On The Lake Pub for diner or drinks and a patio with inspiring views of Lake Osoyoos. Another local favourite is The Ridge Brew House which has an onsite microbrewery and offers a great selection of local and imported beer.

Orchards

World renowned for producing some of the best fruit in Canada, Osoyoos gives you a chance to tour the orchards and in some cases pick your own fruit to take home. All your favourites are here cherries, apples, peaches, pears, plums etc.

Parks & Beaches

Lake Osoyoos is known as the warmest lake in Canada reaching 26-33 degrees Celsius in August and offering nearly 30 miles of shoreline. There are many parks and public beaches you can visit without travelling far, such as Gyro Beach & Community Park, Kinsmen Park and Lions Centennial Park, all located close to town. A popular attraction is Haynes Point Provincial Park, located 2 km south of Osoyoos, this area is a true desert and the sunny beaches are very popular in the summer months.

Shopping

The small town of Osoyoos offers all types of shopping including brand name and department stores as well as unique local shops and fruit stands. From May to October the locals operate a Sunday morning market where you can find baked goods, jams, crafts, jewellery and more.

Skiing & Snowboarding

Located only 50 minutes from Osoyoos is Mt. Baldy, a virtually undiscovered resort which is popular for it's untracked powder and excellent tree skiing. With a base elevation of over 5000 feet, the resort is almost always guaranteed snowfalls of up to 20 feet per season.

Wineries

Known internationally for spectacular vineyards and producing award winning wine, the vineyards surrounding Osoyoos and area are a must see for any visitor. Nk'Mip Cellars, one of the most popular in the area, produces 15,000 cases of wine a year. Stop by for a tasting and enjoy the beautiful estate and stunning lake views.

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Contact us at 1-888-763-6373 or web@ovhr.com for more details.