Osoyoos Recreation

Wine Crawl

A ‘wine crawl’ through over 20 wineries between Osoyoos and Oliver is a nice way to spend a Southern Okanagan day; each winery has its own unique characteristics. Wine tasters can begin their trail at the northern tip of Lake Osoyoos, just North of the Osoyoos Desert Centre. Later, a demonstration vineyard will educate interested connoisseurs about winemaking, while another winery en route brews cider crafted from fresh Okanagan apples. The Osoyoos Indian Band owns and operates North America’s first Aboriginal-owned and operated winery. Visitors to another winery may stay overnight at a Mediterranean-style hotel. Wine is part of Osoyoos’ history and culture, dating back to when the Irrigation Canal was built to make commercial grape growing possible. Designated drivers who can’t participate in the wine crawl may still find Osoyoos-area wines at local restaurants or at one of the four annual wine festivals that take place in the Okanagan.

Lake Osoyoos

Boaters and water-skiers snake their way across Osoyoos Lake while others find a place in the sand to tan their skin or enjoy fun in the Sun. Three boat launches and several marinas make it easy for water lovers to access fun on the lake; the Oxbows at the lake’s north end provide an ideal perch for bird watchers. The lake’s warm habitat house Trout, Perch and other fish that wiggle beneath the lake’s surface, daring anyone to catch them. As one of Canada’s warmest freshwater lakes, Osoyoos Lake must seem like an oasis to visitors, surrounded by beautiful beaches, picnic grounds, natural areas, and a variety of parks. It’s hard to imagine that any body of water could exist in an area that receives an average annual rainfall of about 25 centimetres. Life in the desert may not always be a bowl of cherries, but participating in watermania on Lake Osoyoos helps makes it fun.

Mount Baldy

Getting sand in the face at the beach is not fun, but flying through clouds of powdery white snow on Mount Baldy can be. Mount Baldy is located 45-minutes northeast of Osoyoos and offers a Winter reprieve from the desert life: downhill skiing, snowshoe trails, cross-country trails, and tobogganing. The 5,665 foot high mountain receives an annual snowfall of over 20 feet that makes for great skiing conditions. Wonderful hiking trails and an 18-hole championship Frisbee golf course transform Mount Baldy into an outdoor playground of a different kind when the snow melts. Those seeking a natural picnic setting may prefer Mount Baldy’s isolation to Cottonwood Park and other parks that are located in the heart of Osoyoos.

Irrigation Canal Walkway

What was once Osoyoos’ only water source is today a 12-kilometre lifeline for bikers, horseback riders and walkers thirsting for the desert outdoors. The Irrigation Canal Walkway meanders along the shores of the now abandoned waterway that gave life to local wineries and orchards in the early 20th Century. It begins east of Osoyoos Golf & Country Club, winding north through wilderness scenery and desert vegetation until it reaches the Osoyoos Desert Centre. The Irrigation Canal Walkway provides an excellent ‘before’ and ‘after’ view of irrigation’s impact on Osoyoos’ development: one side remains in a natural state covered with sage and antelope brush, while orchards dot the landscape on the other.

Lakeshore Walkway

Residents of Lakeshore Drive’s many campgrounds and RV parks bike and walk the Lakeshore Walkway to and from downtown Osoyoos. The walkway winds north along the eastern shore of Lake Osoyoos and meets up with the Pioneer Walkway Trail in the downtown core. The Lakeshore Walkway is paved, unlike the Irrigation Canal Walkway that is a packed gravel trail. Bikers and walkers have a view of the tip of Haynes Point Provincial Park across the lake and may spot campers and beachgoers going about their routine.

Osoyoos Lake Oxbows

The Yellow-breasted Chat, Great Basin Spadefoot Toad and the painted turtle are three species that have made the desert their home in the Osoyoos Lake Oxbows. As one of Osoyoos’ few remaining wetlands, the Oxbows provides an oasis of sorts for migratory and resident birds to both nest and feed. Once in Osoyoos, avid birdwatchers should migrate to this area north of Osoyoos Lake with their binoculars and, perhaps, a lunch. The Oxbows can be accessed from the north by traveling on Highway 97 past the Osoyoos Desert Centre and the Osoyoos Air Centre. One can also reach the Oxbows by traveling south on the International Hike and Bike Trail that leads by many of the area’s wineries.

International Hike and Bike Trail

At the north end of Osoyoos Lake, the International Hike and Bike Trail slithers along the Okanagan River Channel. Mountain bikers, horseback riders and hikers may wind their way along the 18.4-kilometre, multi-purpose, one-way trail consisting of paved and gravel sections. Sections of the trail are wheelchair accessible which allows handicapped visitors to view the area’s unique countryside. The International Hike and Bike Trail twists and turns through the lush areas of 11 wineries that provide an oasis of wine tasting opportunities for those wishing to sample the desert’s sweet nectar.

Rattlesnake Canyon Amusement Park

Strong stomachs may enjoy the view of Lake Osoyoos and Haynes Point Provincial Park as they do a vertical twirl on the Rattlesnake Canyon tilt-a-whirl ride. When the peddle hits the metal, it’s best that this be to race around the amusement park’s track in a gas powered go kart and not on Main Street. It may also be a wise idea to practice putting on the park’s 18-hole mini-golf course before playing one of the area’s golf courses. There are no rattlesnakes for sale, but it is possible to get a non-permanent tattoo of one if that is desired; the gift shop also sells clothing, candy, toys, and other souvenirs that can be purchased. All visitors to Rattlesnake Canyon should heed one important piece of advice: don’t binge at the Windmill Ice Cream Parlour until after jumping out of the Bungee Tree.

Indian Grove Riding Stable

The Indian Grove Riding Stable offers visitors to Osoyoos with an opportunity to ‘rough it’ in the desert during the Summer months of July and August. Led by an experienced guide, free-spirited adventurers at heart may saddle-up for a half or full-day horseback ride on mountain trails. After striking camp, travelers may turn their attention to fishing and swimming in a mountain stream or exploring a nearby waterfall. Dinnertime brings a steak and potato meal with all the fixings: cooked over an open fire like the ranchers did back in the days of John Carmichael Haynes. Riders then head back to the Indian Grove Riding Stable under an evening sunset like ranchers returning from a long day on the range. The Indian Grove Riding Stable is located on the northeast outskirts of Osoyoos and is on the route that can be taken to reach the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre.

Pioneer Walkway Trail

The Pioneer Walkway Trail provides a beautiful place for an evening stroll after eating at one of Osoyoos’ many restaurants. The park's location across the street from the town’s motel and hotels district also makes it a great place to take a morning walk before breakfast. From the downtown, the trail winds along Lake Osoyoos beside Main Street. The Pioneer Walkway Trail winds through a series of beautiful flowerbeds that are maintained by local volunteers and then links up with the Lakeshore Drive Walkway on the eastern shore of the lake.

Osoyoos Skateboard Park

For some, pulling a ‘Nollie’ at the Osoyoos Skateboard Park is a much preferable option to visiting the ‘scat lab’ at the Osoyoos Desert Centre. It may also be a better fit than Romancing the Desert with wine and food or touring the Molson Ghost Town across the Canada-USA border in Washington State. The Osoyoos Skateboard Park is located on the edge of downtown Osoyoos and has bigger ramps than any section of Main Street. Here, ‘jammin’ means something a lot different than what takes place at the annual Bluegrass and Country Festival. The sound of wheels and heels stopping, scraping and turning are music to the ears of skateboarding diehards looking for their fix of ‘popping tricks’.

Watermania

There may not be a festival to celebrate Lake Osoyoos, but each year watersport fanatics whoop it up on Seadoos, boats and other watercraft. Water is a big part of Osoyoos’ culture: wakeboarders are as common a sight as skateboarders. While walkers, hikers and bikers wind their way along the Irrigation Canal and Lakeshore walkways, waterskiers zig and zag like a rattlesnake through the desert. Water lovers are not required to spend their days on an Osoyoos beach or in a park along the lakeshore. Lessons and watersport equipment rental shops ensure that beginners to pros have an equal opportunity to get involved in watermania by sailing, kayaking or just floating. Visitors who don’t attend the annual Romancing the Desert festival may be found caressing Lake Osoyoos’ warm waters in a canoe.