Are you ready for the kaleidoscope of colours and flavours on your next vacation? Then you’re ready for fall in the Similkameen Valley…
Few places put on a more dazzling – yet serene – show of Mother Nature’s finest than this beautiful, fertile valley.
Whether you’re travelling alone, as a couple, with friends or family, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during this tranquil time of year.
Sights, smells and flavours await
Autumn is a magical time in the Similkameen Valley.
Hot beach days and warm patio nights are replaced by warm days and mild evenings… ideal for getting out for a long walk with the family.
You’ll enjoy floating downstream under sunny skies in the afternoon and find yourself bundling up to go stargazing under our clear skies at night.
The contrast is invigorating.
Here are just a few of the treasures you can expect when you choose the Similkameen Valley for your autumn escape.
1. A fall harvest of fruits and vegetables
If you’ve passed through the Similkameen Valley in the summertime, you’ve probably taken advantage of the abundance of soft fruits…
You savoured cherries, plums, prunes, apricots, peaches, and nectarines.
You bit into ripe and juicy watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe – and probably discovered some surprising colours you’d never seen on the inside of a melon!
You found tender spring greens, spicy radishes, vivid eggplants and zucchini, crunchy red peppers, plump tomatoes and golden corn on the cob…
Now is the time for new stars on the organic farms that dot the valley.
Apples and pears are ripening on the trees. The Grist Mill in Keremeos is home to over 100 heritage varieties of apples that have been lovingly restored – and at this time of year, the grounds are lush and green.
As you drive by farms, you’ll see every variety of squash you can imagine turning colour on the fields, the deep green and orange standing out among the winding vines.
It’s time for root vegetables, too. Carrots, parsnips, turnips and rutabaga step into the spotlight. Hearty multi-coloured kale survives the cool evenings and adds beauty and flavour to your plate.
It’s a cornucopia…
2. A fall celebration in the vineyards & orchards
Fall in the Similkameen marks the beginning of harvest time in the vineyards and orchards that produce wine and cider.
It’s the perfect time to tour the wineries and cideries spread out between Keremeos and Cawston.
Grab a designated driver or book a tour and enjoy an exploration of the Similkameen’s unique terroir as you sip and sample your way through the valley.
The Similkameen has a storied agricultural past, so it was only a matter of time before people figured out how to make world-class wine. You’ll find genuine hospitality and a genuine love for their terroir.
Call ahead, and you just might find an open-air concert at Crowsnest Vineyard this fall…
3. A fall celebration of colour
Anyone who’s travelled Highway 3 during the fall knows about the kaleidoscope of colours that greet you.
Vast, sweeping grasslands turning golden brown, rolling hills of bright orange aspen contrasting with the rich green of the pine and fir trees… it’s a feast for the eyes.
What a perfect time to walk or bike along the winding Tulameen River. Or you can enjoy the Kettle Valley Railway, which merges with the Trans Canada Trail in the Similkameen Valley.
Or, for the more adventurous, try one of the countless trails at China Ridge or the varied terrain in Manning Park.
The cooler temperatures will make your journey a pleasure… and the views will take your breath away.
Bring your camera. You’ll want to bring back some memories beyond your mind’s eye.
Fall in the Similkameen… a feast for all the senses
Take time to discover the rich colours and flavours of the Similkameen valley this fall. Would you like help planning your getaway? Contact us, and we’ll get you started. We’d love to welcome you to the Similkameen Valley.
This article was originally published in September 2021 and has been updated.
