Tucked into the southern most corner of British Columbia's beautiful Okanagan Valley, this extraordinary habitat is home to one of North America's most fragile and endangered ecosystems. The area hosts one of the largest concentrations of species at risk (over 100 rare plants and over 300 rare invertebrates) in Canada and is of international importance.
Osoyoos bills itself as Desert Wine Country and remains the only desert in Canada, with the lowest rainfall, the highest temperatures, and the warmest lakes. Osoyoos is located in the middle of the Southern Okanagan wine country, whose fine wines match any wines from anywhere, from France to California.
Osoyoos is located on Highway 3 on the eastern shore of Osoyoos Lake, near the Canada/United States border, 17 miles (27 km) south of Oliver and 38 miles (60 km) south of Penticton. Translated from local Inkaneep native dialect, Osoyoos means 'where the water narrows' or 'sand bar across' an apt description for the way this town spans a narrow part of Osoyoos Lake in the Southern Okanagan. Originally named "Soo-Yoos", an O is believed to have been added to lend a more dignified sound to the name.
The Nk'Mip Desert & Heritage Centre, located in Osoyoos, celebrates thousands of years of Okanagan First Nations habitation on desert lands. The Centre provides on-site cultural tours, programs and interactive displays reflecting the unique and contemporary experience of a desert centre based on the rich heritage of the Okanagan people. The mission of the Nk'Mip Desert & Heritage Centre is to promote respect and understanding of the living culture of the Okanagan People and conserve and interpret Canada's only desert.
This "arid" desert environment is home to over 100 rare plants and over 300 rare invertebrates. The Desert Centre, located 9 km north of Osoyoos, is an interactive interpretive education and research facility, offering an insight into this sensitive ecosystem including a 1.5km elevated boardwalk.
Nine kilometres west of Osoyoos on Highway 3 enroute to Keremeos, is Klikuk, the Spotted Lake, containing one of the world's highest concentrations of minerals, including epsom salts, calcium, magnesium and many other trace minerals. The healing mud and waters were used to alleviate aches and pains. In the summer the water evaporates and crystallizes, making the white-ringed spots visible. The lake is on private land, and is therefore not accessible, but you can get a good view from the highway.
Keremeos is home to one of the finest displays of pioneer life and heritage gardens in the Okanagan at the Grist Mill and Gardens. Visitors can view a historic water-powered Grist Mill, built in 1877 by Barrington Price. Now Western Canada's oldest flour mill, and the only one remaining with most of its machinery intact, it provides a unique opportunity to preserve and present an industry that played an important part in the settlement history of British Columbia.
Includes: Communities Penticton, Oliver, Osoyoos, Okanagan Falls, Keremeos, Gristmill, Desert Center, Nkmip Heritage Centre, Boutique Shopping, Hotels, Heritage Features, Agritourism Attractions, Wineries, Museums, Art Galleries and Performance Venues, Art Studios, First Nations.
