Kamloops is a friendly city in the heart of British Columbia where the North and South Thompson Rivers meet. Visit to watch sports tournaments or participate in outdoor activities. Enjoy golf, mountain biking, skiing, fishing and boating, all within 45 minutes of downtown Kamloops.
Walk, jog or rollerblade around McArthur Island Park along the Thompson River. Stop to watch soccer or baseball on the many fields or tackle the skate park’s halfpipe and obstacles. If you’ve never tried lawn bowling or curling, stop here to see how these games are played. Cheer for U.S. and Canadian semi-professional teams during July’s Kamloops International Baseball Tournament at the park’s Norbrock Stadium. The island even has a 9-hole executive golf course with club rental.
Kamloops is known as Canada’s Tournament Capital. The city’s Tournament Capital Centre and other facilities host more than 100 varied sports events annually, including hockey, track and field, aquatics, cross-country skiing, volleyball, mountain biking, orienteering, kayaking, rugby, badminton, speed skating, rodeo, dance, dragon boat racing and even the Dirty Feet Running Race series.
Learn about the history of this part of British Columbia. In the early 1800s the area was part of the United States known as Fort Astoria, named after the American fur trader and millionaire John Jacob Astor. Canadians from Winnipeg reached this spot in 1863 and renamed it Kamloops, based on the First Nations word meaning “where the rivers meet.” Join the celebration of First Nations heritage via storytelling, song and dance during summer’s Kamloopa Pow Wow.
Kamloops has more than 200 restaurants, many conveniently located in the lively downtown area near the river. Admire historic buildings and quiet streets and stop in small boutiques along the brick sidewalks. Travel outside the city to enjoy the diverse landscapes of mountains, grasslands, lakes and valleys and spot local wildlife.
Four major highways come together in Kamloops. Drive from major centers such as Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Seattle.
