Guide to Travel Osoyoos
Osoyoos, British Columbia
Osoyoos, British Columbia
About Osoyoos
Osoyoos is a small beach town situated on the USA/Canada border. It is well-known for being the hottest spot in the country and is a popular vacation destination. It is an isthmus town which means it is located on a narrow strip of land separating two bodies of water, those being the north and south half of beautiful Osoyoos Lake. The village is part of the arid South Okanagan region in British Columbia, which is an area known for its abundance of lakes, sunshine, and warm weather. The warm climate we speak of is precisely what brings in tourists from all over the world, looking to enjoy this unique environment and swimming in Osoyoos Lake, which is Canada’s warmest body of water.
Aside from the endless beauty and near-perfect weather the region also boasts the ideal conditions for the production of fruits, vegetables, and world-class wines. Visitors will be able to enjoy a local wine tour and sip on some of the tasty wines available and then head over to the beach to relax.
Exploratory Glory YouTube Channel
Osoyoos, British Columbia
How to Get to Osoyoos
Map of Osoyoos
Osoyoos, British Columbia
Wineries in Osoyoos
Nk’Mip Cellars
Nk’Mip Cellars provides patrons with wonderful eating and wine-tasting experience and has the proud title of being the first Indigenous-owned winery in North America. At Nk’Mip you will be served local Osoyoos wines along with indigenous foods made only with the region’s native ingredients.Moon Cursor Vineyards
Moon Curser Vineyards get its name from the historical gold smuggling that went on in the town of Osoyoos. Moon Curser wines come from old-world grape varieties that were not previously grown in the Okanagan Valley. These unique varieties of grapes include Tannat, Dolcetto, and Touriga Nacional.La Stella Winery
La Stella Winery holds firm to the theme of la dolce vita, which is essentially the Italian way of life. This motto shines through in the brilliant Mediterranean architecture found at this property. The winery boasts grape varieties like Leggiero, Vivace, Allegretto, Fortissimo, and Maestoso.Adega Estate Winery
Adega Estate Winery is family-owned and operated and has been crafting wines since 1966. Adega is not only known for its delicious wines but also for its panoramic views of Osoyoos.Young and Wyse Collection
Young and Wyse Collection produces tasty wine varieties like Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, and Zinfandel. This winery is also proud to have won the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2009 Merlot silver medals at the 2012 All-Canadian Wine Championships.Bordertown Vineyards & Estate Winery
Bordertown Vineyards provides varieties of red and white wines that promise intense flavor profiles. They also produce a lovely Rosé made from Cabernet Franc.
Osoyoos, British Columbia
Climate of Osoyoos
The climate of Osoyoos is typically hot and dry throughout the summer and then above average in the winters, enjoying one of Canada’s mildest climates. Osoyoos is part of what is called the Okanagan Desert, which is not really a desert and is slightly too wet to fall into the desert climate zone, but instead falls under the semi-arid climate zone. Though very dry in its own right, the region actually receives about 100 millimeters (3.9 in) more than required to be an actual desert.
Osoyoos features some fascinating plant specimens plants like cacti and sagebrush that occur naturally in the dry environment. With hot summers and mild winters, gardeners are able to grow species of desert cacti that typically don’t grow in this part of the world and can usually be found in the American Southwest.
Osoyoos, British Columbia
Osoyoos, British Columbia
Beaches in Osoyoos
Osoyoos Dune
The Osoyoos Dune is a unique spot on Osoyoos Lake where sand piles up creating an amazing sand dune beach.Osoyoos Gyro Park
Gyro Beach is part of the Osoyoos Beach Walk and provides visitors with a large sandy beach and spectacular views of Anarchist Mountain.Legion Beach Park
Legion Beach is a nice stretch of fine sand that is situated in a picturesque cove on the west shores of Osoyoos Lake. It features a grassy area, picnic tables, and even a section that is dog-friendly.Cottonwood Park
Cottonwood Park is a well-maintained green space that features desert gardens, a walkway, benches, and a lovely little sandy beach with splendid views of Osoyoos Lake.Lions Park
Lions Park is part of the Osoyoos Beach Walk and is home to a sandy beach, washrooms, a playground, a large grassy area, picnic tables, and shade trees.Osoyoos Lake Regional Park
Osoyoos Lake Regional Park features an abundance of trees for shade, a large sandy beach, washrooms, and picnic tables. The park has views looking north towards the town of Osoyoos as well as south across the border to the USA.
Osoyoos, British Columbia
Attractions in Osoyoos
Veterans Memorial
The Osoyoos Veterans Memorial was built to commemorate the men and women who fought for the Canadian Armed Forces. The garden features exotic species of cold-hardy cacti including the large cholla cactus as well as a few species of yucca that can grow nowhere else in Canada.Osoyoos Lake
Osoyoos Lake is the main attraction of the region and is the reason why so many tourists flock to the area. It is the warmest lake in the entire country of Canada and water temperatures can reach between 26-33 C in the hottest months of July and August.Pioneer Walkway
The Pioneer Walkway takes visitors for a beautiful lakefront stroll and features colorful gardens with a mixture of both local and exotic plants. It also boasts gazebo and pergola shelters with benches and views of the lake.Anarchist Mountain Lookout
The Anarchist Mountain Lookout is a popular attraction in the area and provides stunning views overlooking the village and the lake. It is located on part of the Crowsnest Highway and takes visitors from 910 feet to 4045 feet providing views of both Canada and the USA.Osoyoos Beach Walk
The Osoyoos Beach Walk is an excellent introduction to the village and takes you from the Pioneer Walkway past the luxurious Watermark Beach Resort Hotel to Gyro Beach.Sẁiẁs Provincial Park (Haynes Point)
Sẁiẁs Provincial Park is an idyllic strip of land that extends almost across the entirety of Osoyoos Lake. The park is lined with picture-perfect beaches that are open for public day use. The park also provides campers with 41 vehicle-accessible campsites and 7 are double campsites for large groups.
Osoyoos, British Columbia
Wildlife in Osoyoos
The ecosystem of Osoyoos is unique by Canadian standards and contains some of the country’s rarest species of animals. Some of the interesting animals in Osoyoos include the tiger salamander, great basin spadefoot toad, western rattlesnake, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats.
Osoyoos, British Columbia
Osoyoos, British Columbia
Hiking Trails in Osoyoos
Osoyoos Lake Oxbows
The Osoyoos Lake Oxbows are situated at the head of the lake and provide an amazing wetland habitat that is great for hiking and bird watching. The trail is very easy and is around 5 km (3 mi) round trip.Canal Walkway
The Canal Walkway is a trail that leads hikers through the incredible desert ecosystem that exists only in the Okanagan Valley. The trail is 4.3 km and is a completely paved loop that is great for the whole family.South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area
The South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area is a massive park that is technically located in the village of Cawston. It features four main sections and they are Mt. Kobau, Kilpoola, Chopaka East, and Chopaka West. On your hike through the park, you will be treated to majestic rolling hills covered in semi-arid Okanagan grasslands and you may even come across some of the region’s rare species of wildlife.
Osoyoos, British Columbia
Restaurants in Osoyoos
Nk’Mip Cellars Patio Restaurant - Wine/Bar, Canadian
Jojo’s Cafe - Cafe
Convivia Bistro Cuisine - French
Campo Marina Ltd. - Italian, Canadian
Roberto’s Gelato - Dessert
Diamond Steak and Seafood House - Italian, Steakhouse
Sage Pud and Liquor Store - American, Bar
Indian Flame on Main - Indian
The Lake Village Bakery - Bakery, European
Sofia Mexican Food - Mexican
Osoyoos, British Columbia
Osoyoos, British Columbia
Where to Stay in Osoyoos
Osoyoos and the Okanagan region are typically quite expensive, especially during the summer months, and as such accommodations are not generally budget-friendly. If you’re traveling on a budget and you have camping gear, then you may want to stay in a campground like the one at Sẁiẁs Provincial Park (Haynes Point). Another budget-friendly option is to stay in a vacation rental, which you can easily rent through apps like VRBO by using our links and helping support the site at no extra cost to you.
Luxury
Walnut Beach Resort
The Walnut Beach Resort is one of Osoyoos’s most luxurious stays and is situated along the picturesque shores of Osoyoos Lake. The property is also home to a sandy beach lined with loungers and palapas, as well as a pool and a bar lounge. Rooms at the resort offer amenities like flat-screen TVs, air conditioning, and kitchenettes.Shiraz Villa
The lovely Shiraz Villa is situated on a picture-perfect Okanagan vineyard and offers visitors ten rooms to choose from. It has breathtaking views of Osoyoos Lake and is surrounded by desert hills.
Mid-Range
Watermark Beach Resort
The Watermark Beach Resort offers lakefront condos with plenty of great amenities. This luxurious beach resort provides visitors with access to pools as well as a beach. It is conveniently located within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants as well as being a short drive to award-winning wineries.Coast Osoyoos Beach Hotel
At the Coast Osoyoos Beach Hotel, you will have beachfront access to spectacular Osoyoos Lake, complete with lounge chairs and a nice picnic area. This resort also features an indoor pool with a fun corkscrew waterslide for the kids.
Budget-Friendly
Desert Surfside Waterfront Accommodations
The Desert Surfside offers luxurious beachfront suites at a cost-efficient price. Situated directly on a beautiful sandy beach this Sante Fe-styled resort offers accommodations such as studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom suites. Each room comes with fully equipped kitchens, as well as air-conditioners and BBQs.
More Okanagan Attractions
