Riverside Park & the Thompson Rivers
Stroll the riverfront boardwalk, catch a summer concert at the bandshell, and watch the two Thompson Rivers converge downtown.

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At a glance
Kamloops sits where the North and South Thompson Rivers meet, in the dry, sun-baked hills of British Columbia's interior. It's one of Canada's warmest, driest cities — a laid-back hub of riverside parks, a growing wine trail, Indigenous Secwépemc heritage, and quick access to Sun Peaks Resort and Wells Gray's waterfalls. Downtown's Victoria Street packs the cafés, breweries, and galleries into a walkable grid.
Climate
Hot dry summers · cold winters
Semi-arid interior — 30°C-plus summer days, cold snowy winters, and some of Canada's most sunshine.
Currency
Canadian Dollar
CAD · cards accepted everywhere
Entry
Domestic
Government photo ID for flights
Stroll the riverfront boardwalk, catch a summer concert at the bandshell, and watch the two Thompson Rivers converge downtown.
Explore the living history of the Secwépemc (Shuswap) people with reconstructed winter pit houses and interpretive riverside trails.
Graze downtown's cafés and craft breweries, then taste at Harper's Trail and Monte Creek wineries in the surrounding hills.
ID for flights: Kamloops is a domestic trip — carry a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's licence or passport) to board your flight.
No passport or visa: No passport or visa is needed for Canadian residents travelling within Canada.
Getting around: A rental car is the easiest way to reach the wineries, Sun Peaks, and Wells Gray. Downtown itself is walkable and served by BC Transit.
Power & plugs: Standard Canadian 120V/60Hz supply with Type A/B plugs — all your devices work as they do at home.
Time zone: Kamloops runs on Pacific Time (PT) — the same as Vancouver, and three hours behind Toronto.
Hot, dry, and sunny — river days, patios, festivals, and vineyard tours.
Mild and green with blossoms, fewer crowds, and better hotel rates.
Crisp fall colour, wine harvest, and the nearby Adams River salmon run.
Cold and snowy in the city, but the gateway to Sun Peaks skiing 45 minutes away.
Where to stay
Kamloops spreads across river valleys and benches. Here's how the main areas compare when choosing your base.
South bank
The walkable heart — Victoria Street shops, cafés, breweries, galleries, and Riverside Park on the waterfront.
North bank
Across the river with everyday shopping, casual eateries, and quick access to the Yellowhead Highway.
Southern bench
The hillside district around Thompson Rivers University with malls, hotels, and sweeping valley views.
Upper south
An elevated, newer neighbourhood with big-box shopping and easy Coquihalla Highway access for day trips.
Beyond the city
Kamloops is a natural launch point for BC's interior mountains, waterfalls, and wineries. Every excursion below can be booked through ShopTravel or a local operator.
Ride the sightseeing chairlift, hike or mountain-bike the alpine trails in summer, or ski Canada's second-largest resort in winter.
Drive north to Wells Gray Provincial Park for the thundering 141-metre Helmcken Falls and a string of easy waterfall viewpoints.
Sip cool-climate wines at Harper's Trail and Monte Creek in the desert hills above the South Thompson River.
In autumn of dominant years, millions of sockeye turn the Adams River red on one of the world's greatest salmon migrations.
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Good to know
Everything Canadian travellers ask before booking
No. Kamloops is a domestic destination within Canada — you only need a valid government-issued photo ID to board your flight.
Air Canada Express flies Vancouver to Kamloops (YKA) in about 55 minutes. From Calgary, Edmonton, or Toronto you'll usually connect through Vancouver.
June through September is peak — hot, dry, and sunny for river days, patios, and vineyard tours. Spring and fall are quieter and cheaper, while winter is the gateway to Sun Peaks skiing.
Downtown is walkable, but a rental car makes the wineries, Sun Peaks, and Wells Gray far easier to reach. BC Transit covers the city itself.
Walk Victoria Street's cafés, breweries, and galleries, relax in Riverside Park on the waterfront, and visit the Kamloops Art Gallery and Museum.
Yes — Sun Peaks Resort is about a 45-minute drive north, making a Kamloops stay a handy and affordable base in ski season.
Increasingly so. The Kamloops Wine Trail includes Harper's Trail and Monte Creek wineries in the dry hills just east of the city.
Yes — you can add day trips like the Sun Peaks visit and Kamloops Wine Trail tasting to your booking at checkout.