Road Tripping Through A Canadian Desert

Believe it or not, Canada is home to  several desert-like areas. One of these is the Osoyoos region in southern British Columbia. Between the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest and the towering Rocky Mountains lies a hot, dry patch of steppe land surrounding the town of Osoyoos. Because of its unusual climate and geography, the Canadian desert region called the Okanagan Valley is a destination for people wishing to road trip through Canada but not frequent the sites that are frequented by everyone else. As a bonus, Osoyoos has some of the best beaches and wineries that the country has to offer.

Good news for American road trippers: Osoyoos is located just two miles north of the U.S. border. You can access Osoyoos from the south via Highway 97 at Oroville, Washington. An alternative option is to make it a real road trip by entering through Vancouver and traveling east along British Columbia Highway 1 and then Highway 3. Since Osoyoos is hotter than virtually everywhere else in BC ( summer temperatures can surpass 105 degrees), a road tripper should bring a hat, sunscreen and lots of water. Also, a dependable vehicle is essential if you want to really explore the desert. SUVs and 4WD trucks are reliable off the beaten path, and there are many models up to the job.

Seeing Osoyoos from your car is one thing, but partaking in it is another. Once you’ve arrived in town, you might want to take a dip in Osoyoos Lake. It is the warmest freshwater lake in the country. People travel far and wide to swim here. The lake can reach temperatures of 75 degrees. Many beautiful beaches line Osoyoos Lake. The most popular being Gyro Beach and Cottonwood Beach.

Osoyoos is part of the Okanagan Valley. The valley was recently ranked by USA Today as the second-best wine producing region on the planet. The fertile and irrigated ground of Osoyoos grows not just grapes, but cherries, apricots, peaches and other fruit that is sold as is or turned into delicious alcoholic beverages. Many vineyards and wineries are open to the public. Nk’mip Cellars, the first North American winery to be owned and operated by indigenous people, is one of them. If this sounds like your type of road trip destination, stop in at Nk’mip for a taste – but nothing more than a taste unless you’re staying the night!

As a semi-desert with bountiful beaches and wineries, Osoyoos is one of the most unique places in Canada. It’s also one that you can experience both inside and outside your car. If you’re taking a road trip to Canada and are in need of a destination, unsung Osoyoos is calling your name.

Adventure on!

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