The Best Things to Do in Keremeos, British Columbia

Discover the best things to do in Keremeos, an agricultural community tucked away in BC’s Similkameen Valley.

A common stop for travellers driving between Vancouver and the Okanagan Valley, Keremeos has more to offer than the fruit stands that line the highway.

Go a little beyond and you’ll find hiking trails, historic sights, wineries and even a waterfall. Of course, there are scenic views from every direction as well!

Highway view of bright yellow flowers in foreground, with vineyards and mountains behind
Approaching Keremeos on Highway 3

Keremeos is one of our favourite BC fall destinations. At this time of year, the village practically turns orange as the many fruit stands explode with impressive displays of pumpkins and squash.

Keep reading to explore our top recommendations for great things to do in Keremeos, British Columbia!

Published October 2024. This post includes some affiliate links – if you make a purchase via one of these links, we may receive a percentage.

Elevated viewpoint looking down on the village of Keremeos, with mountains in background
The village of Keremeos

The village of Keremeos, British Columbia

Keremeos is a small village in British Columbia’s Similkameen Valley, with a population of around 1600.

The community is surrounded by a tapestry of vineyards and orchards, framed by strikingly steep mountains rising in the background.

Downtown view in Keremeos, with two storey businesses on right and paved footpath on left
Downtown Keremeos

The region has a semi-arid climate, with summer temperatures soaring to a scorching 40°C, making it ideal for cultivating a variety of fruits and grapes.

Keremeos is located on the traditional territory of the Syilx and the Nlaka’pamux, with the village’s name coming from the locally used word “Keremeyeus,” meaning ‘creek which cuts its way through the flats.’

A hand holds up a wine glass with partial white wine fill in front of vineyard and mountain view in Keremeos
Wine tasting in Keremeos

Keremeos Creek flows into the Similkameen River, which borders the community to the south, providing both a vital water source and recreational opportunities.

Living about 40 minutes drive from Keremeos, we visit pretty often. It is a great place to stop when driving between Vancouver or Vancouver Island and the Okanagan Valley. The drive from Vancouver is around 4 hours (350km).

Looking for somewhere to stay in Keremeos? I would suggest Orchard View Motel – central location, incredibly clean and mountain views.

Sagebrush plants in foreground with vineyards and orchards behind, large forested mountains behind
The semi-arid Similkameen Valley

The best things to do in Keremeos

Let’s get started with this activities guide!

Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Keremeos, based on our personal experience. We’ve personally tried each of these recommendations.

Use the map below to locate the places mentioned.

Screenshot of things to do in Keremeos on Google Maps
Things to do in Keremeos on Google Maps

Shop at fruit stands

The Similkameen Valley’s hot temperatures and sunny weather enable fruit and vegetable crops to thrive. Fruit trees grow especially well.

For this reason, Keremeos is the fruit stand capital of British Columbia.

There are over a dozen enormous fruit stands in and around the village, almost entirely family-run. Some of these fruit stands have been operating for more than 100 years!

Many farms in Keremeos are organic, with nearby Cawston being known as the organic farming capital of Canada.

JR stands in front of pumpkin display holding four different squash and pumpkins
Picking up squash and pumpkins in October

Like most locals, we have a favourite Keremeos fruit stand.

Peach King Orchards, on the Keremeos Bypass Road, is our top pick. It has late opening hours in summer (sometimes up to 9pm) and the prices are very reasonable.

Key fruit dates

  • Cherries – late June to late July, often into August
  • Apricots – mid July to mid August
  • Peaches – July to September
  • Apples – August to October
  • Pears – Late August to mid October
  • Plums – September
  • Pumpkins and squash – September to October

Expect to see corn from mid July onwards and tomatoes from August. Many other vegetables, such as eggplant, peppers and garlic, are available in mid summer.

Large Parsons fruit stand sign next to highway with 1908 date prominently displayed. There are colourful flowers at the bottom of the sign
Parsons is one of the oldest food stands in Keremeos

Visit the Grist Mill and Gardens

The Grist Mill is a 145+ year old waterwheel-powered flour mill, the last of its kind in BC. Amazingly, its historic machinery is still in working condition!

Representing the start of industrial automation, the Grist Mill is also an important reminder of Keremeos’ long agricultural history. There are interpretive displays in the adjacent White Building (also 140+ years old!)

The gardens surrounding the mill are something of an oasis in the semi-arid landscape, especially in the summer months when the flowers are blooming.

There is an orchard with more than 20 varieties of heritage apples. On our most recent visit, we were able to taste almost all of them, including many types I had never heard of.

The Grist Mill is the perfect destination for lunch, with the on-site tea room serving soups, salads and sandwiches as well as sweet treats and coffee. Many of the ingredients are from the garden or sourced locally from the Valley.

For more local historical insight, consider checking out the South Similkameen Museum in Keremeos.

Two trees in grassy area in foreground with historic Grist Mill in background
Grist Mill and Gardens, Keremeos

Tour local wineries

The semi-arid landscape and climate of the Similkameen Valley are also ideal for growing wine grapes.

While it may be hot during the day, temperatures cool nicely overnight and there is plenty of wind to keep the vineyards dry.

There are more than ten wineries scattered between Keremeos and Cawston, many of them award winners.

Vineyards in Keremeos, backdropped by rugged mountains
Vineyards in Keremeos

Unlike the busy Okanagan Valley, the Similkameen Valley offers a more relaxed wine-tasting experience. It is just as beautiful, however, with huge mountains soaring above the vineyards and older orchards.

Some of the wineries are bordered by volcanic rock, which helps to keep the grapes warmer overnight.

We really enjoyed a recent tasting at Corcelettes Estate Winery in Keremeos ($10/person, non-refundable).

The elevated patio has amazing views over the vineyards and mountains. As for the wines, we were particularly impressed with the depth of the reds. Their flagship wine is the excellent Bordeaux-style Talus (additional fee to try).

Patio furniture on elevated patio at Corcelettes Estate Winery, looking out over vineyard backdropped by mountains
Corcelettes Estate Winery patio

Taste local cider

If wine isn’t your style, consider a cider tour instead. The Similkameen Valley grows a lot of apples as well as grapes.

Lass Chance Beverage Co. is a new addition to Keremeos, focusing on natural fruit sodas and ciders made from discarded fruit.

The family behind the business has been growing fruit locally for over 30 years and still runs a fruit stand opposite the tasting room on Highway 3.

In nearby Cawston, there are three cideries with tasting rooms – Twisted Hills, Untangled and Rustic Roots. Both of the latter have fruit stands and cafes on the same property so you can plan an extended visit.

Not a fan of cider either? Family-owned Sharpe Distillery is located in Cawston. Seasonally inspired cocktails are served in the newly built tasting room.

Close up of Untangled Craft Cider bottles on shelf
Untangled Craft Cider

Hike local trails

My favourite hiking trail in the Keremeos area is Barcelo Falls. While the trailhead is closer to Cawston, it is still a very short drive from Keremeos.

Situated on Manual Creek, Barcelo Falls is a spectacular waterfall that bursts out from the top of a rocky crag. With the Similkameen Valley being so dry, it seems quite a treat to be able to visit a waterfall like this.

The return trip to the falls is 8km return with about 400m elevation gain. I would rate it moderate difficulty as it is uphill almost the entire way and some of the trail is steep with narrow sections.

Sagebrush plants on semi-arid ground in front of distant vineyards and orchards with forested mountains behind
Start of the Barcelo Falls Trail

The first part of the hike is located on private land. Be sure to stay on the path (I recommend utilising AllTrails) and be careful where you park. Leave No Trace of your visit. More info in this South Okanagan waterfalls guide.

We saw a bear and rattlesnake on our last trip, so it is also important to stay aware of your surroundings!

One of the most scenic trails in Keremeos is the Pincushion Trail. It offers incredible views across the Valley.

When planning a hiking adventure in Keremeos, keep in mind that it gets very hot in the summer months. Start early, wear a sun hat, use sunscreen and bring plenty of water.

Tall waterfall cascades from rock, surrounded by trees and plants
Barcelo Falls

Explore downtown Keremeos

Keremeos is a small village but the downtown area is bigger than you may expect. There are bright murals and several quail sculptures. Keep an eye out for the real version of the latter!

Cosy and compact Kool Beans Keremeos is a friendly little coffee shop. Local art decorates the walls. Breakfast and lunch are available, with the breakfast sandwiches being a favourite.

Boboys Pizza and Donair is well known for fresh, homemade doughnuts and huge sandwiches at a great price. Benja Thai Restaurant serves flavourful dishes, with good options for vegans.

Looking across Keremeos downtown street to colourful landscape mural which features vineyards, waterfall and an Indigenous person in traditional dress
Mural in downtown Keremeos

Tube the Similkameen River

The best way to cool down in Keremeos in summer? Tubing the Similkameen River! It takes around 2 hours to float from the Red Bridge to the west of town to Pine Park.

Tubers looking for a longer experience can continue to Kobau Park in Cawston. The float from the Red Bridge to Cawston takes around 3.5 hours.

There are no commercial shuttle services so you’ll need to pre-arrange your own two-vehicle shuttle to be able to get back to the starting point.

Remember that though this is a popular tubing route (and considered pretty mellow), moving water has inherent risks. There may be sweepers and other obstacles in the river.

Full disclosure here – I’ve never tubed the Similkameen River myself as the water level always seems too low by the time we have some free time in August to do it!

Similkameen River view from bridge, a wide waterway split into two by sand/rock causeway. The river is lined by trees, which are reflected in the water's surface
Similkameen River

Go pumpkin picking

In October, Keremeos becomes a destination for pumpkin picking. As many as 20 different varieties of pumpkins and squash can be found at the fruit stands.

Some more unusual ones include the Turks Turban (one squash bursting out of another), the Banana Squash (long and thin) and the Specked Swan (long neck).

Personally, we love the Delicata, a striped oblong variety. We always visit Keremeos at least once in October and stock up. Many types of squash and pumpkin can last for up to six months at room temperature!

Many of the fruit stands put together impressive pumpkin displays. Our favourites can be found at Parsons, Mariposa, Bears and Peach King.

Line of historic vehicles at Parsons fruit stand, decorated with pumpkins and squash for autumn
Autumn display at Parsons Fruit Stand

Hike and camp in the subalpine of Cathedral Provincial Park [temporarily closed]

One of British Columbia’s most beautiful provincial parks is located just outside of Keremeos – Cathedral Provincial Park.

Much of the 33,272-hectare park is mountainous, with the core visitor area being located above 2000m.

As well as spectacular alpine lakes, alpine meadows and peaks, Cathedral also hosts a number of fascinating rock formations. The park also has a large population of mountain goats.

A long full day uphill hike or shuttle ride is required to reach the core area. From there, day hiking opportunities abound. The most popular and rewarding hike is the Rim Trail, a 11km circuit taking in the best scenery.

Cathedral Provincial Park was sadly affected by the 2023 Crater Creek wildfire.

At the time of writing (October 2024), most of the park is closed, including the core area. BC Parks is committed to reopening the park – check for updates on their website. We hope we can revisit the park soon!

Side view of huge rock formations in Cathedral, with sheer drop on right and left and a singular hiker standing at the top
Some of the amazing rock formations on the Rim Trail in Cathedral Provincial Park

Other related posts you may find helpful:

The Best Okanagan Valley Waterfalls, British Columbia

Vancouver to the Okanagan Valley Road Trip Guide: Best Places to Stop

17 of the Best South Okanagan Hiking Trails

The Best Okanagan Valley Wineries: A Local’s Guide

Okanagan Valley Road Trip: What to Do and Where to Stop

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