Route Rationale
In order to strengthen and embrace their potential, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has identified a regional priority of ‘focusing on experience-based themes.’ It is crucial that tourism products within the TOTA region align with this regional priority in order to offer guests a cohesive, memorable and rewarding experience. Our proposed route was in-line with this image, and we designed it with these themes at the forefront.
1. Identifying the Iconic
TOTA recognizes this theme as involving “experiences that are memorable and worth ‘bragging about” as well as “signature landscapes” and anything that “builds recognition for the Thompson Okanagan as a distinctive region.” This was our rationale behind introducing experiences to the tour such as Helmcken Falls, Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort, and Chasm Provincial Park.
2. Enriching Local Flavors
TOTA recognizes this theme as products that offer “exceptional ingredients such as scenic landscape, weather, unique wineries, award winning wines, breweries & distilleries, organic farming & local produce, chefs committed to developing regional cuisine and ‘field to table.” This also encompasses tourism products that “capture the essence of the Region (creates intimacy and romance)” as well as that “strengthen associated sectors and spread economic benefits.” For this theme, we incorporated the following experiences:
Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Privato Winery, Kamloops Farmers Market, Kweseltken Farmers’ and Artisan Market, Hop N Hog Tap & Smokehouse, The Strawberry Moose Snackery, The Sugar Shack and Horsting’s Farm Market.
3.Revealing the Story
TOTA recognizes this theme as “telling the untold stories of the region through signage, technology, events, and publications” as well as moving guests through the region via a theme. Following TOTA’s guidance, we wove a story of wild west culture along with indigenous culture throughout the route. TOTA reveals that “stories create an emotional connection with the destination. Therefore, we chose the following experience:
The Flying U Ranch takes visitors on a unique wild west experience dating back to the 1850s. It was a stop for fur traders along the Alaska Trail. In the 1900s the legendary Jack Boyd took over the ranch operations. Guests now sleep in the same cabins, answer to the same bell for meals and ride the same trails. Guests image the spirit of Jack Boyde rising beside them.
4. Expanding Personal Horizons
TOTA recognizes this theme as involving “unique and interactive opportunities for guests to learn while connecting with locals in an authentic manner.” They also are looking for experiences that “will strengthen shoulder season business.” Surrounding this theme, we incorporated the Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park, Historic Hat Creek, and Walhachin Soldier’s Memorial Hall & Museum. Throughout the route, we also encourage the guests to seek out local guided adventure activities, winery tours and hands on experiences like:
The Privato Winery where guests engage all their senses into the vineyard tour. The Sugar Shack where guests can learn how to make maple syrup and try it for themselves. The Lac des Roche Resort offers guided fishing trips to explore the lakes of highway 24.
5. Building Authenticity.
TOTA recognizes this theme as “helping visitors understand how the Region differs from their own in terms of culture, heritage, history and identity” as well as “developing a strong ‘sense of place.’ In order to build authenticity, our route incorporates experiences that connect the guests to the land that they are traveling through and the people that inhabit it.
Additional to adhering to these themes, we wanted to create a route that was accessible, easy to follow, and applicable for all seasons. TOTA recognizes seasonality as one of their primary weaknesses and so this route aims at offering guests a chance to explore an area that they may not otherwise think of in a season that they typically would not road trip in, autumn. The route will highlight some of the Thompson Okanagan’s better kept secrets while encouraging visitors to spread out and venture to places they have not been before.
Target Markets
For this route, the target market is cultural explorers. These people are between the ages of 35 to 54 with a moderate income. Cultural explorers are spontaneous and creative individuals who seek historical sites and activities off the beaten track. They enjoy national and provincial parks, small towns, hands on experiences, and food made with local ingredients. Cultural explorers prefer modest accommodation like wilderness lodges and farm stays.
This route appeals to cultural explorers because it will transport them away from their everyday lives while providing an opportunity to be immersed in the local communities they are visiting. From visiting amazing parks that are home to towering waterfall, to spending time immersing themselves in knowledge at a museum, this route will appeal to all aspects of a cultural explorer.
The secondary target market will be authentic experiencers. These people are 55 and older with a higher than average education and income. Authentic experiencers are ethical and eco-conscious individuals who seek cultural immersion and historical travel. They enjoy similar experiences as cultural explorers; however, they prefer multi-day trips touring in their vehicles. authentic experiencers prefer mountain and waterfront accommodations.
This route appeals to authentic experiencers because we harness the best of both worlds. With wineries and scenic spots as our main attractions, we cater to the authentic explorer’s intrinsic needs. To satisfy their search for education the tour also provides stops for historic exploration in the Thompson Okanagan area.
Route Point 1
Kamloops
135 km, 90 minutes from Privato Winery, Kamloops to Clearwater.
Just 4 hours from Vancouver, Kamloops or the Tournament Capital of Canada, is an ever-growing destination and an ideal start and end point for your Thompson-Okanagan road trip. We recommend spending a least a full day here, dependent on the activities that you choose to partake in. Here at TOTA, we have selected the best attractions for you to experience during your time in Kamloops.
First for all our wine lovers, we suggest a visit to Privato Vineyard & Winery, Monte Creek Ranch Winery, or both! If you can’t pick a designated driver, there are plenty of guided wine tours to choose from.
Located on opposite ends of town, these two wineries let you try the best of Kamloops wine while giving you a scenic drive through town in between. Privato, located on the western side of Kamloops has a beautiful patio where you can sit with your party, try a mixed flight of Privato wines and pair it with a charcuterie board. Just be sure to book in advance by at least 24 hours to ensure yourself a spot. Autumn promises lots of colour and festive activities but if you happen to be planning your trip for the winter months, try out the hot apple cider and take a walk through the Christmas tree farm.
Monte Creek Ranch Winery is across town to heading east. Here, you can stop for fabulous farm-fresh cuisine at the Terrace Restaurant. Catered by inhouse Chef Romeo of Uptown Catering, the locally inspired dishes are available all year around. There is a tasting room also available if you don’t have time for a sit-down meal. Try a wine or two and grab some locally made jerky and cheese for your drive.
In addition to great wine, Kamloops also has wonderful food options. The list of Kamloops original restaurants and cafes is a kilometer long, but we suggest Hello Toast for breakfast or lunch and stop at the beautiful new Italian restaurant, Di Muzio’s, for dinner. Hello Toast has been the Kamloops breakfast hot-spot for over 20 years, and it is in the heart of downtown Kamloops. Di Muzio’s, is an up and coming restaurant; opening just over a year ago, Di Muzio’s is an authentic Italian restaurant. Chef Claudia uses homemade recipes in her kitchen which makes you feel as though you have been transported right to Europe.
To fill your day with wholesome Kamloops attractions, visit Music in the Park, Scoopz Ice Cream Parlour, the Kamloops Farmer’s Market, or the Kamloops Pow Wow Grounds of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc nation. These are all significant attractions in Kamloops which are worth a stop at if your schedule permits. If not, all the reason to stop in the Thompson-Nicola region again sometime soon!
Advanced Waste Solutions. (2019). City skyline at night. Photograph. Retrieved from https://advancedwastesolutions.ca/city-of-kamloops-to-ban-cardboard-in-landfills/
Route Point 2
Clearwater
79.5 km, 55 minutes.
After splurging on the fine wine and cultural experiences of Kamloops, it’s time to pour yourself a glass of adventure and continue the trip North to the community of Clearwater. With B.C.’s fourth largest park, Wells Gray Provincial Park, right on its doorstep, the town of Clearwater is your gateway to adventure! Don’t be fooled by the size as the wide array of outdoors activities and beautiful accommodations make it a very easy destination to spend a few days in.
Try a self-guided tour, following Clearwater Valley Road up into the park and stopping off at multiple viewpoints and waterfalls including Helmcken Falls, Canada’s fourth-largest waterfall! While the spectacular Triple Decker Falls, Silvertip Falls and Moul Falls each require an easy to moderate hike to get to them, the viewing platforms of Spahats Falls, Dawson Falls and Helmcken Falls can be reached almost directly from the parking lots. During the autumn months, the fall foliage here is incredible, and you can even find spots to watch the spawning salmon as they return from their 4,000km migration! We advise stopping in at the Wells Gray Park Visitor Information Centre for directions and a road condition report before exploring. They also have lots of information about the local guided adventures offered in the region.
Head to The Strawberry Moose Snackery for all your locally-made breakfast or lunch needs and for some exceptional post-adventure BBQ, visit Hop N Hog Tap & Smokehouse. In terms of where to stay, the chic and mountain-luxury log cabins or glamping tents of Cedar Haven Resort can act as your hidden oasis. For an authentic dude ranch experience complete with unique log cabins and guided adventure tours available, Wells Gray Guest Ranch is another amazing option!
Davison, T. (2020). Helmcken Falls. Photograph.
Route Point 3
The Fishing Highway
97 km, 57 minutes.
From Clearwater, you will want to travel back down Highway 5 to Little Fort. From there, you will continue onto Highway 24.
Highway 24 is also known as ‘The Fishing Highway’, located along the Cariboo Chilcotin Coastal region. Highway 24 is known to have ‘lured’ in fishing and outdoor enthusiasts since the mid-1800s (a little fishing humor for your personal enjoyment). The route is only 97km long but has approximately 100 lakes for fishing and other water activities. There are also many areas to set up camp (or glamp), eat and explore.
For this part of the road-trip you will be travelling through BC’s ‘Land of Hidden Waters’; which includes Bridge Lake, Lac Des Roches, Sheridan Lake, and many other bodies of water. Bridge Lake is a small community that was used in the Fur Brigade Trail. Bridge Lake has an all-inclusive guest ranch resort called Free Rein Guest Ranch, a great place to settle in for the night. Other options include Little Black Bear Lodge and Eagan Lake Resort. Another great resort, just east of Bridge Lake, is Lac des Roche Resort. This resort includes, guided fishing tours, an excellent Italian restaurant, and affordable cabins.
If fishing is your calling, the lakes on Highway 24 are home to many trout species, although it is predominately rainbow trout. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to bring home a kokanee trout from this trip!
If you’re looking for other non-fishing activities, there are plenty of opportunities for horseback riding, boating, canoeing, hiking, and mountain biking. Make sure to visit, Eakin Creek Floodplain Provincial Park, Emar Lake Provincial Park or Bridge Lake Ice Caves Trail for some remarkable hiking and great photo opportunities.
Despite this part of the route being quite remote, there are some excellent local food options. ‘The Boondocks’ is a Lone Butte original seafood restaurant, and “The Iron Horse pub & grill” is a wholesome local bar with pub-style food.
For an experience that is more upscale, private and sophisticated, we suggest staying at Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort. Siwash offers, 5-star horseback riding, helicopter tours, eco-adventures and luxurious accommodation options which include world class glamping tents, private ranch house suites and Cariboo barn lofts. Siwash offers lots of privacy as the location of the resort is only disclosed to resort guests and is away from any city life. Recognized by National Geographic and as one of our Canadian Signature Experiences, Siwash can offer you an outstanding, authentic British Columbian experience.
Lac Des Roches Resort. (2019). Resort overview by lake. Photograph. Retrieved from https://lacdesroches.com/index.php/gallery/
Route Point 4
70 Mile House
129 km, 90 mins.
This town is located on the historical route once known as the “Cariboo Wagon Road” established in the 1860s. Today, 70 Mile House is located on the Cariboo Highway 97. Here, you will not only be able to enjoy breath-taking autumn scenery, but also many outdoor activities along with heritage experiences that feature Gold Rush and Indigenous history. This is your gateway to the Gold Rush Trail and with that, many exceptional western experiences.
We recommend staying at the Flying U Ranch. The history of the ranch goes back over 170 years! This is the oldest operating ranch and the first guest ranch in Canada. People come from all over to learn the rancher’s way in the wild west. There are 28 private log cabins each equipped with your own wood-burning stove, electricity and your own cozy porch to either wake up to the sunrise, or wind down to the sunsets. Perhaps enjoy a bottle of wine you picked along the way!
The ranch also offers 4 safari-styled, luxury canvas tents. The Flying U describes this as the “quintessential Canadian outdoor experience: perfect for those looking to enjoy the history and beauty of the region”. If cabins and tents aren’t quite what you are looking for, check out their collection of 5 premium homes for an extra special stay for the 2021 season. You have over 60,000 acres to explore! What will you do?
Start your day with a cowboy breakfast and an introduction to horseback riding. Head down to the crystal-clear emerald Green Lake Provincial Park for a packed lunch and your choice of activities such as fishing, canoeing or boat rides. By sunset, go for a romantic ride on one of the many trails and enjoy a homecooked meal before heading to the saloon for live music, karaoke, western whoop-de-doing, and cocktails. Or, take it easy and enjoy one of the many amenities Flying U has to offer. With so much to do at the Flying U Ranch, we definitely recommend staying here for a few nights!
While you are in 70 Mile, you should stop by the Sugar Shack. At the Sugar Shack, visitors experience delicious food Canadian originated foods such as maple syrup, poutine, and good old Canadian bacon. Try a taste of Quebec with their signature maple treat, a beaver tail! Here, guests can also get hands on experience and learn about maple harvesting. You can even take a horse ride through the maple trees! Open 7 days a week from 7am to 6pm, for all your maple syrup cravings!
Another must visit is the iconic Chasm Provincial Park which is located 15 km southwest of 70 Mile House. Here, you can explore many hiking trails with spectacular backdrops for photos. Check out the lava flow layers with gleaming red, purple and yellow tones. Enjoy a picnic at the viewpoint overlooking the lava-layered canyon before your next stop on this route!
Fremlin, K. (n.d.). Mountain views across the lake. Photograph. Retrieved from https://www.flyingu.com/gallery?lightbox=i140ss1
Route Point 5
Cache Creek
71 km, 45 minutes.
Cache Creek is a small farming town just 83 km west of Kamloops with deep roots in British Columbia’s history making it a great stop for this road trip!
The area is home to many farmer’s markets and small eateries that offer locally sourced produce and the perfect atmosphere to grab a bite to eat. Try one of the famous pies from Horsting’s Market or enjoy a classic American meal complete with a shake and a side of fries from Hungry Herbie’s. Both Horsting’s and Hungry Herbies are located right in the town of Cache Creek and making it easy to stop at one or both! Horsting’s is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 7 days a week while Hungry Herbies is open 9:00 am to 8:00 pm 7 days a week, so make sure you plan accordingly to be able to enjoy the treat or meal of your choice.
After getting a taste for the local flavours, take a moment to reflect on the past at Walhachin Soldier’s Memorial Hall & Museum or go for a hike and a swim in Marble Canyon Provincial Park to round out the day. Marble Canyon is a short drive from Cache Creek, but the stunning lakes and scenery make the detour well worth it. Famous for its crystal-clear blue waters, packing your swimwear on a hot day is a must to get the full experience!
For a day trip or overnight accommodations, be sure to make time for a visit to the Historic Hat Creek Ranch where you will travel back in time to the early 1900s. The historic ranch features a village of buildings, some being built as early as 1860! The ranch also provides a chance to learn about the lives of the indigenous people that inhabited the land many years ago through interactive exhibits. From stagecoach rides to sleeping in covered wagons, Hat Creek Ranch has something for everybody. Whether you are looking for a quick stop or an overnight stay, this will certainly be a memorable addition to any trip.
Horstings Farm Market. (2020). Spring outside our farm market. Photograph. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g499122-d7607727-i298481935-Horstings_Farm_Market-Cache_Creek_British_Columbia.html