Osoyoos Things to Do

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Wanna get a bird's eye view of the lake? Then parasailing might be just the thing for you! For this high flying adventure head to Watermark Beach. The guys are usually set up in a trailer there during the summer. It costs about 60 dollars, and no experience is neccessary. You get a quick lesson from an instructor before take off. It is open to people of all ages, even as young as 5 years old. Be advised though, that the parasailing might be cancelled if the wind conditions aren't right. And they don't do it every year. Even the years when they don't do it all summer, they're usually set up at least one or two weekends. They're usually there on Canada Day weekend, because of the huge amount of visitors. So that would be the best time to go, to make sure you don't miss them!
The entire flight is about 15 minutes, and you do 3 laps around the lake, so it's deffinately worth the money! You're about 100 ft. high, so the view is magnificent! It's not for someone who's acrophobic though!

Horseback riding is one of the most popular activities on Lake Osoyoos. The horse stable is located right near the campground, and tours are offered about 3 times daily in the summer. The ride is deffinately worth it. It lasts a little over an hour, and takes you through desert and pine forest, and you might get to see a Rattlesnake. The ride then stops for about 5 minutes at this area overlooking the lake.
There are two different rides you can choose from, slow and fast. Slow is just a regular ride. Fast, you go with the group on a regular ride, then about halfway through, you go with a seperate guide, and they take you to a spot where you can gallop. I wouldn't recommend this one for someone who's never riden a horse before.
I don't remember how much it costs. I think it was around 30 dollars a person. Check at the stables for prices and schedules.

This centre.......... (pronounced in-ka-meep) is a state-of-the-art interpretive centre.
There are many indoor and outdoor galleries, unfortunately, on our day of visit, the Indoor area was not open, it was a disappointment, as I had read about this cultural centre, and came to visit.

We did see the outdoors, and the Winery was open, so we went in there.
They do have a Rattlesnake Research Program, where they are investigating how rattlesnakes use the land. Snakes are tracked to gain important knowledge about what they do, during the day & night.

I have looked at the website, and all is open now.
Please have a look, as I still do think it is worth a visit.

ADMISSION in 2010.........
Rates Subject to 5% GST
Adult $12.00 ..Seniors & Students $11.00 ..Children (5-17 years) $8.00

OPEN..........
(March 10 - May 9)
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. March 10 – May 9

Summer Hours (May 10 - October 11)
Open every day 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

CLOSED OTHER MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

I think this is a MUST DO for the wonderful views.

On the opposite of Osoyoos to what we arrived, is the winding, steep road.....[910 feet to 4045 feet] that takes you up Anarchist Mountain.
Here, you find the Lookout perched about 4,000 feet above sea level.

From here you can see all the way down to the US in the south and, looking north, pretty well the whole of Osoyoos Lake.

Magnificent views!

Ah! I bet you think Rattlesnake Canyon is a natural Canyon with the odd Rattlesnake?

Sorry to disappoint, but it is an Amusement park, located in the main street of Osoyoos.http://www.rattlesnakecanyon.ca/

This is one of the many things to do here.

What I liked, was the warm weather, the large beautiful lake, and the long Pioneer Walkway, which is situated along the lake front where all the motels and restaurants are- a lovely place for a stroll and to smell the flowers. These are all looked after by volunteers.

Not only that, but all the Fruits like, Apricots, peaches, pears, plums, cherries, apples and grapes that thrive in the hot, dry climate......... there is desert flora and fauna .......
and rare species of birds, it is all here!

No wonder the retiree's have settled here!
No wonder it is popular, infact, very popular in high season.

Osoyoos has a semi-arid climate, with very hot, dry days in the summer and mild Winter days

Who would have thought I would find this in Canada, it was a big surprise, and a very nice one!

Osoyoos was tricky for us to pronounce until we found out how to do it from the helpful Information Centre lady.............Say.......... "oh-sue-use"

The British Columbia Visitor Centre @ Osoyoos is located at the junction of Highway 97 and Highway 3,Open 7 Days a Week
OPEN...June 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.....July - August 8 a.m. - 6 p.m......
September - May 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Around Osoyoos Lake, we found many beaches and picnic grounds. Even though it is a lake in Canada, the water was warm, just poked the toe in, to see if they were telling the truth about the warm water temperature!

Yes they were! Haynes Point picnic ground we liked. It is a narrow bit of land, jutting into Osoyoos Lake. There were many lakeside campsites, plenty of privacy, a place that if it was in my home country, we would bring our Caravan to and stay a while.
There is a marsh area and self-guided interpretive trail. I think we would enjoy our time here, watching the speedboats on the lake, there were a couple out on the day we were there.

There are many other places for picnics if this is too crowded....
Gyro Beach, Lions Centennial Park, Kinsmens Park and Legion Beach

I have put the website in for camping at Haynes Point.

After stopping and looking at Spotted Lake, it was time to head down the Mountain on Highway 3 to Osoyoos.

On the way down, there is a lookout, if you like taking photo's, then make sure you pull off here, as the views are fantastic of the Mountains, Lake & surrounds.

Just wish I had a digital camera with me!

Heading into Osoyoos, look out for the "Spotted lake", it is located on the RH side, about 9kms from Town.
You can't go in, as it is located on private property, but you can get a good look from the fence.

It is worth a stop to see, as this Lake contains one of the world's highest concentrations of minerals, including epsom salts, calcium, magnesium and many other trace minerals.
The mud and waters were used to alleviate aches and pains.

Once again, before the age of modern medicine, the Indians of the Okanogan Valley used the Spotted Lake for sprains, infections, skin diseases and body aches. They immersed their bodies in the lakes waters.

Of interest was about the War years, the Indians would ask for truce, so warriors could come and heal their wounds.
During World War I, minerals from the Spotted Lake were used to make ammunition, in the factories built in the area.

In the summer the water evaporates and crystallizes, making the white-ringed spots visible.