Osoyoos Accommodations   (15 Vacation Rentals)

Holiday Type There is plenty to see and do in Osoyoos. Bring the whole family! Everyone including teenagers and toddlers will have a fun time making Osoyoos your ideal vacation spot. Here are a few ideas for your family to help you create your "just what the doctor ordered" holiday.
Sporty Holidays
Whether you're a spectator or participant, Osoyoos features tons of sports-related fun! Here is a wide selection of activities that will keep you on the go:
Watersports - Osoyoos has many marinas that will help your family get out on the warmest lake in Canada. From canoeing to wakeboarding to parasailing, you'll have endless options to spending a hot summers' day out on the water. Don't forget your suntan lotion!
Swimming - In the summer, the lake is the ultimate place to go for a swim. There are four public beaches to enjoy with shallow waters and soft sand to build castles in.
For the water babies, many of our motels with indoor pools offer a drop in rate during the other seasons.
Golfing - Those families that enjoy a day on the links will be pleased to learn that there are two courses right in town. The Osoyoos Golf And Country Club offers 27 championship holes, along with a driving range and a putting green. Desert Springs in East Osoyoos offers 9 par-3 holes, along with a putting green. Sonora Dunes is an executive 9-hole course scheduled to open in summer 2004. There are also many more courses in the valley, so golfers can always find a challenge.
Horseback Riding - Take the family to the Indian Grove Riding Stables, where you can enjoy morning, afternoon or all day rides.
Bowling - Play 5 pin bowling, fun for the entire family at Kobau Lanes. The kids all love the Extreme Bowling which has lights, lasers and music.
Snowsports - Hit the slopes only 45 km from Osoyoos at Mount Baldy, open December to April. If you can't drive yourself up, take the Baldy Bus.
Curling - Visitors are always welcome at the Osoyoos Curling Club.
Hockey - Every fall and winter, join the Osoyoos Storm at the Sun Bowl Arena for exciting Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action. Win prizes and cheer with the crowd as the whole family has a fantastic time.
Tournaments - Come during tournament time for soccer, hockey, golf, slowpitch, triathlon, and sailing. Check the events calendar for more details.
There are also public tennis courts and baseball diamonds on 62nd Avenue near the high school.
Relaxing Holidays
It is easy to unwind in Osoyoos with its tranquil setting. Yes, you can be very active but you can also sit back and take it easy.
Read a book - Even though you can read anywhere, there's no greater place than at the beach or on your patio with the mountains and lake surrounding you.
Float around - With the lake rocking you gently, you are sure to feel relaxed as you float on your air mattress around Osoyoos Lake. Very soothing!
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides - Let someone else do the driving while you take in the beauty of the town. The Lakeview Carriage Co. will pick you up and take you and your family on a tour of Osoyoos.
Indoor Holidays
Sometimes you have to seek shelter whether it is from too much heat or a rainy or blustery day. No need to be disappointed if the weather foils your plans. Here are some fun ways to spend your vacation indoors:
Packing House Tours - Best done between July and April, take your clan to Sun Fresh Cooperative Growers to learn about how apples and peaches are processed from the time they come through the door to the time they go out again. Please call a day ahead of time to arrange your tour.
Art Gallery - Visit the Osoyoos Art Gallery and enjoy the exhibits of local and internationally renowned artists.
Desert Model Railroad - Come see the biggest little European railway in Canada. These computer controlled trains are a delight for all ages.
Shopping - Our charming town provides boutique-style shopping with unique products and personal service.
Outdoor Holidays
If you love being amongst nature, you'll love Osoyoos. As Canada's only desert, there are some extraordinary places to visit.
Nk'Mip Desert & Heritage Centre - Explore the cultural heritage and desert landscapes of the Osoyoos Indian Band. Two and one half kilometres of self-guided interpretive trails meander through 50 acres of sage grasslands and Ponderosa Pine forests. In the Interpretive Centre, you will be introduced to the history of the Okanagan People and Osoyoos Indian Band through exhibits, stories, and interactive displays. 
Irrigation Canal Walkway - A popular 5km round trip trail can be reached on 62nd Avenue just north of the Osoyoos Secondary School. The trail meanders along an abandoned section of the irrigation canal that was once the lifeline for Osoyoos and opened up the area for the fruit industry. You can see the impact of this canal as one side of the trail remains in a natural state with sage and antelope brush, while the orchards on the other side reveal the effect water has on the land.
Osoyoos Desert Centre - During a visit, guests are accompanied by an interpretive guide along the one and one half kilometers of elevated boardwalk trail that winds through the arid shrublands and grasses to four interpretive kiosks. Experience the beauty and learn more about the desert features through visits to the native plant garden and the spadefoot toad pond. Early morning bird watching programs and evening walks are scheduled during the week and reservations are recommended for these special programs.
Osoyoos Lake Oxbows - The oxbows at the north end of Osoyoos Lake are a perfect area for birdwatching. The parking lot is accessed on Road 22 off Hwy 97, eight kilometers north of Osoyoos. Walk south to enter some of the best known haunts for migratory and resident feathered friends. Make sure to bring your binoculars.
International Bicycling and Hiking Trail - Located at the north end of Osoyoos Lake and running parallel to the Okanagan River Canal, this 18.4 km trail is perfect for biking or hiking. The parking lot is accessed on Road 22 off Hwy 97, eight kilometres north of Osoyoos.
Vaseaux Lake Wildlife Centre - Located between Oliver and Okanagan Falls is one of Canada's foremost birding areas. An information kiosk provides extensive information about the area, the vegetation and the wildlife. Take a walk down to the bird blind to view Tundra and Trumpeter Swans, Great Horned Owls, tiny Canyon Wrens and many other species.
White Lake Observatory - Tour the Observatory site to see the telescopes in action. This is the only radio astronomy observatory in Canada. It is located north of OK Falls in a natural basin with surrounding hills that offer protection from man-made radio interference.
Sunrise Cactus Gardens - Visit the largest cactus gardens in Canada where hundreds of varieties and colors await you. Located in Keremeos; open year round.
Mt. Kobau - Take a hike along the Testalinden Trail. The trail begins at the parking area atop the mountain. It is a 5 km loop around the summit that passes through mixed sub-alpine forest and open grasslands. The fire lookout atop Mt. Kobau gives visitors a breathtaking view of the Okanagan Valley, Osoyoos Lake and the Similkameen Valley.
Educational Holidays
Learn something new with fun things to do. For those curious families, visit these great places to gain an understanding of our area and its history.
Nk'Mip Desert & Heritage Centre - Explore the cultural heritage and desert landscapes of the Osoyoos Indian Band. Two and one half kilometers of self-guided interpretive trails meander through 50 acres of sage grasslands and Ponderosa Pine forests. In the Interpretive Centre, you will be introduced to the history of the Okanagan People and Osoyoos Indian Band through exhibits, stories, and interactive displays.
Osoyoos Desert Centre - During a visit, guests are accompanied by an interpretive guide along the one and one half kilometers of elevated boardwalk trail that winds through the arid shrublands and grasses to four interpretive kiosks. Experience the beauty and learn more about the desert features through visits to the native plant garden and the spadefoot toad pond. Early morning bird watching programs and evening walks are scheduled during the week and reservations are recommended for these special programs.
Osoyoos Museum - Some people rate this museum as the 'best small town museum' in BC. You will find a diverse and eclectic selection that ranges from antique cars, to settler history, to items from the World Wars and pop culture. With over 15,000 square feet of exhibit space; our museum has something for everyone.
The Grist Mill - Dated back to 1877, this pioneer mill includes a working waterwheel and flume. It is open year-round and from May to October, costumed interpreters will show you how the gardening, milling, and other tasks of the packhorse and goldmine era were done. You will also see how historical restoration is performed. It is located about a half-hour drive from Osoyoos and on the north of Keremeos.
Hedley Museum - The family will be fascinated by Hedley's rich mining history and the display of many artifacts of the mining days gone by. There is also a telescope set up to get a closer look of the old mine bunk houses overlooking the town site of Hedley. After touring the museum, you can pick up a map of the numerous historical sites such as the 1939 school, the Blacksmith shop, 1904 miner's cottage to name a few. Located east of Keremeos about 30 km
Molson Museums - Discover the historical tale of a feuding community. There are two museums to visit in Molson. The ghost town of Old Molson is the site of a one museum consisting of a variety of buildings including the original bank building, two homestead cabins, an assay office, and other structures housing farm machinery and horse drawn equipment. A three-story brick schoolhouse in Central Molson, built in 1914, is the location of the other museum where you can enjoy many exhibits from the boom town days. Molson is located 25 kilometres east of Oroville, WA which is only 5 kilometres south of Osoyoos.
Entertaining Holidays
Osoyoos is always buzzing with exciting things to do. From festivals to dances, families will be fully entertained on their vacation.
Rattlesnake Canyon - This place is packed with FUN! This amusement park consists of an adventure mini golf course complete with waterfalls and lagoons, bumper boats to make a big splash in, and deluxe go-karts to test your racing skills with. There is also old fashioned home made ice cream, fresh mini donuts and a video arcade. You will never want to leave.
The Windmill - Beside Rattlesnake Canyon, the adventure continues. Jump onto the "Eurobungy-trampolin", fly high with the Ejection Seat and reach the sky, or 32 feet at least, with the outdoor climbing wall. Inside the windmill, test out the 48 flavors of ice cream at the "Best Ice Cream Parlor in the Okanagan", voted by Okanagan Life magazine.
Street Dances - The Osoyoos Home Hardware provides two street dances every summer to raise money for the community and sick children. These dances are a lot of fun for families and there are many draws and free prizes. One dance is held in July and the other in August. Please check the events calendar for exact dates.
Concert Series - From October to March, there are a series of theatre and music performances sponsored by the Osoyoos Arts Council. Check the events calendar for more details.
Festivals and Special Events - The community organizes several annual events and festivals to enjoy throughout the year. From Salmon bakes to a fall Fashion Show, to dances galore. The events calendar will fill you in on the rest.