Similkameen Valley 3 Day Itinerary
Are you ready to go on a journey through beautiful, rustic, and naturally rich travel destinations? Here you will find rolling ranches, gorgeous mountains, and large farmlands. So allow me to offer you a 3 day plan to get the most out of your vacation to the Similkameen Valley.
Day 1 Princeton
Princeton
Our adventure starts in the town of Princeton. Once you’ve arrived you will quickly find yourself surrounded by large mountains, rivers, and lakes. You will also find that there is an abundance of outdoor recreational activities such as cycling on the kettle valley rail trail portion of the great trail or in case you’re into golf try out the Princeton golf club established in 1928. And if you’d like to learn more about Princeton’s past, head to the Princeton & District Museum and Archives. Here you can explore first nation artifacts, the first white settlers, and learn about the fossil era’s. When your day has ended, you can choose to camp out at Princeton RV Campground, nestled alongside the Similkameen river and is open to the public. Or you can stay the night at a number of nearby hotels.
Hotels
Sandman Inn Princeton. Deerview Lodge & Cabins - Princeton BC. Evergreen Motel. Rivers Edge RV Park & Campground.
Restaurant/Cafe
Billy's Family Restaurant. Brown Bridge Pub. The Copper Pit. Little Creek Grill. Thomasina's. Frannie’s Coffee.
Hikes/Parks
Princeton Dog Park. Bridge View Park. Princeton Skateboard Park. Princeton Golf Club.
Day 2 Hedley
Princeton - Hedley
For day 2, We are going to go East from Princeton on highway 3 to Hedley. Hedley was actually a former gold-mining town which still retains some of its 20th century character. Take your time wandering the streets, admiring the architecture, and learning about the town's history. You would love to check out the Hedley Heritage Museum which is open seasonally during May 1st to Sept 30th. And once you’re ready to unwind, have a cup of coffee at the grand union cafe, or eat at the Nickel Plate restaurant before ending the night at the windfall cottage.
Hotels
Windfall Cottage Hedley.
Restaurant/Cafe
Nickelplate Restaurant. Grand Union Cafe.
Hikes/Parks
Woodlie Park.
Day 3 Keremeos/Cawston
Hedley - Keremeos/Cawston
And lastly we will be driving south-east on highway 3 to Keremeos. Along the way, make sure to stop by any local farms, wineries, and several viewpoints as you travel alongside the Similkameen river. When you have arrived at Keremeos, the first thing that you’ll want to do is sample the locally grown cherries and peaches. Once you’ve done that, you can explore the nearby trails, enjoy the views of surrounding mountains, or visit local wineries and markets.
Your final day is gonna be slower paced than the others but it’ll be one that you won’t forget. From Keremeos, drive east on highway 3 to Cawston for roughly 10 minutes to experience the organic farming capital of Canada. Take your time experiencing the many local markets and wineries as there will be many unique flavors from the region.
Hotels
Riverside Estates. Orchard View Motel. Elks Motel. Klippers Guest Suites. Cawston Farm Stay.
Restaurant/Cafe
Zack's Coffee & Tea. Kool Beans Coffee Shop Keremeos. Klippers Marketplace and Cafe. Little Farm Winery. Orofino Winery. Twisted Hills Craft Cider. Crowsnest Vineyards. Eauvivre Winery & Vineyards Ltd. Blackbird Tavern. The Ranch Restaurant. Benja Thai Restaurant. Mount 9 Eatery.
So to recap, from the historic charm of Princeton and Hedley to the orchards, vineyards, and welcoming communities of Keremeos and Cawston, each stop in your itinerary offers a unique glimpse into the Similkameen valley's region. You would leave with a greater appreciation for this hidden gem and the places that make it so special.