Top 10 Things to Do in Kamloops
Kamloops sits at the meeting of the North and South Thompson rivers in a dry interior landscape of grasslands, sagebrush hills and broad river terraces. Its guide identity is therefore different from coastal British Columbia: the city is a gateway to semi-arid trails, Secwépemc history, lakes and open-country viewpoints.
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1. Riverside Park
Riverside Park occupies the South Thompson riverfront beside downtown Kamloops with beaches, paths and broad views across the water. It is the simplest place to begin reading the city's relationship to the river before moving into the drier hills above town. Use Riverside Park as a genuine walking block rather than a drive-by stop, and check current weather, trail, access or seasonal conditions before setting out. Check the official site for Riverside Park shortly before visiting, because opening hours, restoration work, reservation systems and access rules can change more quickly than the landmark itself.
2. Kenna Cartwright Park
Kenna Cartwright Park protects an extensive trail network across dry grassland and forested slopes west of the city. Viewpoints over Kamloops Lake, the Thompson valleys and surrounding plateaus make it one of the best places to understand the scale of the interior landscape. Use Kenna Cartwright Park as a genuine walking block rather than a drive-by stop, and check current weather, trail, access or seasonal conditions before setting out. Check the official site for Kenna Cartwright Park shortly before visiting, because opening hours, restoration work, reservation systems and access rules can change more quickly than the landmark itself.
3. Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park
The Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park interprets the history and culture of the Secwépemc people whose territory includes the Kamloops region. Exhibits and heritage features provide essential context for a landscape whose human history extends far beyond the fur-trade and railway eras. Treat Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park as a focused visit rather than trying to exhaust every gallery; check current timed-entry rules, temporary closures and the collections that matter most to you before arrival. Check the official site for Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park shortly before visiting, because opening hours, restoration work, reservation systems and access rules can change more quickly than the landmark itself.
4. Kamloops Museum and Archives
The Kamloops Museum and Archives presents local history through objects, photographs and records connected to settlement, industry and community life. A visit helps place the surrounding rail lines, downtown streets and regional development into a longer historical sequence. Treat Kamloops Museum and Archives as a focused visit rather than trying to exhaust every gallery; check current timed-entry rules, temporary closures and the collections that matter most to you before arrival. Check the official site for Kamloops Museum and Archives shortly before visiting, because opening hours, restoration work, reservation systems and access rules can change more quickly than the landmark itself.
5. McArthur Island Park
McArthur Island Park occupies a large bend in the Thompson River and combines sports facilities with walking paths, shoreline habitat and open views. Its flat terrain offers an easy recreational contrast to the steep, dry hills that dominate much of the city's skyline. Use McArthur Island Park as a genuine walking block rather than a drive-by stop, and check current weather, trail, access or seasonal conditions before setting out. Check the official site for McArthur Island Park shortly before visiting, because opening hours, restoration work, reservation systems and access rules can change more quickly than the landmark itself.
6. BC Wildlife Park
The BC Wildlife Park east of Kamloops cares for native British Columbia species and focuses on conservation, rehabilitation and public education. It offers visitors a structured way to learn about regional wildlife that may be difficult or inappropriate to seek closely in the wild. Use BC Wildlife Park as a genuine walking block rather than a drive-by stop, and check current weather, trail, access or seasonal conditions before setting out. Check the official site for BC Wildlife Park shortly before visiting, because opening hours, restoration work, reservation systems and access rules can change more quickly than the landmark itself.
The confluence made the area important for Indigenous travel, fur trade routes and later railway development, while modern Kamloops spread along both rivers and surrounding benches. Dry interior climate and exposed hills create a recreation landscape that feels closer to the Columbia Plateau than to Vancouver's rainforest coast.
Combine the riverfront and downtown museums in one block, then drive or cycle to larger trail systems and wildlife sites. Summer heat can be intense on exposed slopes, so early starts, water and wildfire awareness are important parts of outdoor planning.
1 day
Pick one signature tour and add a short activity window to get oriented.
3 days
Combine two guided days with open time to explore neighborhoods and viewpoints.
5 days
Rotate through multiple tour types and save a day for an all-day excursion.
Spring and autumn are especially comfortable for hiking the dry hills, while summer is hot and often very dry. Winter brings cold temperatures and snow, with higher nearby terrain supporting seasonal snow sports.
Bring sun protection, abundant water and sturdy shoes for dusty or rocky trails. A light wind layer and smoke-awareness plan are useful in summer, while winter outings require traction and insulation.
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