Penticton

Keremeos is rich in history. With the close proximity to the American border it was founded by prospectors and served as a Husdon Bay Trading Post in 1860. The historic Red Bridge was built in 1907 over the Similkameen River. That same year the first train came into Keremeos, making it a railway hub with access to Penticton, Hedley and Princeton. It was at this time that many orchards were planted, since there was reliable access to the distant marketplaces. Today, the Red Bridge is one of only three remaining covered bridges in BC and is now used as a highway bridge to access the Ashnola and Cathedral Lakes Provincial Park.

In 1877, Barrington Price built a Grist Mill on the Keremeos Creek. This flour mill was an asset to the area and its product was in high demand with the many local miners in the region.  The British Columbia Heritage Trust purchased the site in 1979 and it’s open seasonally for visitors to stop in to experience and learn about the history of the site.  

The settlement of Keremeos later became a village and was incorporated in 1956.

Keremeos is part of School District #53 (Okanagan Similkameen) and home to the Cawston Primary School (Kindergarten – Grade 4) and the Similkameen Elementary Secondary School (Kindergarten – Grade 12).

The semi-arid landscape is home to nearly 600 acres of vineyards and orchards, with a total of 16 wineries and cideries in Keremeos and the surrounding area. The long, hot days paired with the complex soils in the region create a perfect combination for grape and fruit growing. The region is developing a name for itself in the wine industry and is also becoming known for producing some of the finest fruit wines in Canada. The wineries and cideries have joined forces in forming the Similkameen Wine Association.

In addition to the vineyards and cideries, Keremeos also boasts acres and acres of ground-crop farms. It’s a popular spot in the summer and fall to buy fresh produce, so it’s no surprise that the town calls itself the ‘Fruit Stand Capital of Canada.’ The scene in the fall is amazing: these stands put on impressive displays of the harvest with hills of pumpkins, large varieties of squash, tomatoes, and onions etc.

Keremeos Columns Provincial Park – if you’re up for a day hike, then plan a trip to view these geological monuments formed from volcanic activity that occurred 30 million years ago! These basalt pillars are 30 meters high with a hexagonal shape, formed from slow-moving cooling lava. Access to the columns is through private property, permission for access is required.

Grist Mill and Gardens – learn about the area’s history, enjoy the scenic Victorian gardens and have a light lunch in the tearoom.

Cathedral Provincial Park and the Ashnola – looking for a great place to hike or go fishing? Cathedral and the Ashnola are incredible areas to explore, whether you’re on foot or on a bike there are miles of trails to discover and many pristine mountain lakes for fishing.

Mascot Gold Mine Tour (may be temporarily closed) – travel 20 minutes from Keremeos on Highway 3 to Hedley and take a tour of the historic Mascot Gold Mine. Clinging to the side of the cliff 1 km above the valley floor, you can imagine the difficulties when mining at a site like this! It’s a great hands-on way to learn about this important piece of the area’s history.