As your Rocky Mountaineer rail journey winds through the breathtaking landscapes of Western Canada, Kamloops offers a welcome pause – a place to catch your breath and experience a quieter side of British Columbia. Hidden in the heart of the Thompson-Okanagan region, Kamloops sits against a backdrop of rugged hoodoos and peaks, desert farmland peppered with sagebrush, and sparkling lakes surrounded by green grasslands.
When you’re travelling on our First Passage to the West, Journey through the Clouds, or Passage to the Peaks rail routes, Kamloops serves as the midpoint destination after your first day of rail travel. Here, halfway between the West Coast and Canadian Rockies, the magic of the journey sinks in.
A City Off the Beaten Path
Kamloops is a charming, smaller city that offers a contrast to the bustling urban centre of Vancouver and the idyllic mountain towns of Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise. Unlike the dramatic peaks of the Rockies or the coastal rainforests of Vancouver, Kamloops is located in a semi-arid desert environment. This unique geography gives the region its own distinct character – rolling hills, sagebrush-covered slopes, and wide-open sunny skies.
Arrival times into Kamloops can vary depending on our rail schedule and train meets, which is all part of the journey. Our trains travel at a leisurely pace, allowing you to fully appreciate the ever-changing scenery and enjoy the onboard experience without missing a moment. We often say we travel at “picture-perfect speed” - slowing down at the most scenic areas for the best viewing and photo opportunities.
The Journey to Kamloops
No matter which direction you’re travelling, you’ll witness a dramatic transformation in the landscape as you approach Kamloops. If you’re travelling eastbound towards the Rockies, you’ll follow the Fraser River - British Columbia’s longest river. The Fraser carves a path through some of the province’s most rugged terrain, dotted with agricultural communities and farms. The train runs along this historic waterway for much of the route, offering views of steep canyon walls that rise on either side.
You’ll follow the Fraser through most of British Columbia before splitting off along the Thompson River, a tributary of the Fraser. The North and South Thompson Rivers join in Kamloops, giving it its Interior-Salish Secwépemc (Shuswap) name, Tk’emlúps - “where rivers meet.”
The rolling hills of Black Canyon along the Thompson River.
West of Kamloops
West of Kamloops, along the Thompson River, lies one of the driest places in Canada - with less than 25 cm (10 inches) of annual rainfall. Passing through the region between Lytton and Ashcroft makes for spectacular scenery as the landscape continues to shift into deep gorges, mineral-hued canyons, and forested valleys. Our tracks snake along the river, almost completely confined within a massive canyon.
One of the most dramatic landscapes we pass through is referred to as Black Canyon, a visually striking stretch of dark black cliffside. Dotted with tunnels and bridges, you'll criss-cross over the rugged scenery before reaching Kamloops (if travelling eastbound) or the lush forests of coastal BC (if travelling westbound).
Rocky Mountaineer winding alongside Shuswap Lake on First Passage to the West.
East of Kamloops
If you are travelling on First Passage to the West or Passage to the Peaks, you’ll journey through the Shuswap. In this region, just east of Kamloops, the landscape becomes greener and more inviting. Sparkling lake views stretch out beside the tracks, with calm shimmering waters reflecting the sun.
We recommend stepping onto the outdoor viewing vestibule to feel the change for yourself - temperatures here can soar to 35° C / 95° F in the summer.
If you’re travelling on Journey through the Clouds, you’ll follow the North Thompson River instead, which runs upstream from Kamloops towards Jasper National Park. This route takes you through equally unique scenery, including Pyramid Falls – a cascading waterfall along the Thompson that can only be viewed up close by rail.
Wildlife Watching
One of the perks of a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey is the opportunity to spot Canadian wildlife in their natural habitat. The region around Kamloops is home to a variety of animals that differ from those found in the Rockies or along the coast.
Keep your eyes peeled for deer grazing near the tracks, ospreys soaring overhead (and their large nests hiding in treetops and atop telephone poles), bighorn sheep, and ground squirrels and chipmunks darting through the underbrush. Bald eagles and falcons often make an appearance, their wingspans casting shadows over the river valleys.
Adapted to survive in conditions from the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies to the sweltering hot deserts of California, bighorn sheep are a unique sighting in Kamloops. They are often spotted above our tracks in the hoodoo areas and cliffs around Kamloops Lake and the South Thompson River.
As they travel in herds, it’s not uncommon to see a group of 5-20 sheep in open rocky areas below the cliffside – or on the cliffs themselves. It’s rare to see them elsewhere on our Canadian routes, so look out for their massive spiralled horns as they roam around the region.
Things to Do, Eat, and Drink in Kamloops
Arrival times into Kamloops can vary depending on the day’s rail schedule, but whether you arrive in the early evening or closer to sunset, the city offers a warm welcome. Your time here will be brief, but there’s plenty of food and drink options in town.
We recommend heading out for dinner, and if time or daylight allows, enjoying a short walk through the neighbourhood. For guests who are staying downtown, most of the following restaurants are within walking distance of your hotel. For those who are staying in upper Kamloops, a ten-minute cab ride will take you right downtown.
Here are some local favourites, conveniently located near our partner hotels:
The Noble Pig: Kamloops' first microbrewery and a laid-back dinner spot.
Cordo Resto & Bar: Regional flavours, farm-fresh ingredients, BC wines, and signature cocktails. Located in the Delta Hotel.
Underbelly: Mediterranean-inspired dishes and craft cocktails in a cozy setting.
Romeos Kitchen + Spirits: Culturally infused dishes with locally sourced ingredients. Located in the Coast Hotel in upper Kamloops.
Riverside Park: Just a five-to-ten-minute walk from downtown hotels, or a ten-minute cab ride from hotels in upper Kamloops, this scenic park along the Thompson River is a peaceful place to end your day.
Kamloops Awaits
Whether you’re watching the sun set, reflecting on your journey so far, or enjoying the warmth of the evening air, Kamloops offers an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the quieter moments of rail travel.
As you settle in for the night and prepare for the next day’s adventure, take some time to appreciate the diversity of the landscapes you’ve journeyed through. More unforgettable moments are just around the corner.
