Circle Tours from Merritt BC

Similkimeen Okanagan-Part One

One of many tours starting from the Nicola Valley

There are many circle tours from Merritt, BC because of its location. Incidentally, there are four highways that pass through Merritt which gives you eight directions to go in. The length of the tours depends on what you want to see and do. For example, one of my favourite trips is from Merritt to Princeton, then to Penticton, Summerland, Peachland and then back home.

The American Plan

If you use the American Plan you can do this tour in one day. The American Plan you say? Actually this is my own interpretation of an American Tourist based on an incident I witnessed at Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. Believe it or not while we were there an American family pulled up in front of the large Cedar tree that is a feature of the park. They all stood in front of the tree, had their picture taken and were off. Needless to say this is probably not how you want to experience the park but if you are in a hurray I guess it works. I don’t know if the American Plan is a “thing”.

Planning Circle Tours from Merritt BC

Any way, the tour I am reporting on consists of about four to five hours of driving time and you then need to consider the time you want to spend in each area. For example, if you intend to spend two hours in the four main centres you are looking at an additional eights hours and your day will consume upwards of thirteen hours. As you can see this is probably too much to do in one day.

The First Leg-Circle Tours from Merritt BC to Princeton

The first leg of the journey is about one and a half hours as you leave Merritt on Highway 97c, commonly known as the Okanagan Connector. Some of things along this route you will want to come back to explore are the Corbett Lake Lodge, Kane Valley, Laurie Guichon Grasslands interpretive Site and Lundbom Lake.

Circle tours from merritt bc - great rainbow trout

Fishing at Corbett Lake

At the junction of Highway 97c and highway 5A you turn right to make your way to Princeton. The area around Aspen Grove has some great fishing lakes. However, if you’re more into kayaking this is a great area. Further along the road is the turn that leads to Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park. Unfortunately you won’t have time to stop there if you want to complete this tour in a timely manner. In fact you should put this on your list of things to see when you return to the area.

Lake Near Aspen Grove

Kentucky Lake Hike

This leg of the trip is beautiful as you pass numerous lakes surrounded by the hills. additionally, one of these lakes is the entrance to the AP Guest Ranch. Yet another point of interest to return to.

AP Guest Ranch Circle Tours from Merritt BC

Experience Nicola Valley Bloggers visit AP Guest Ranch

While there are several other lakes along the way, the province has established a Provincial Park at Allison Lake. On the one side of the highway is the campground and on the other side is the day use area. This is a nice spot for a refreshment break.

BCThe Town of Princeton is upgrading its look

After leaving Allison Lake you will arrive at the Town of Princeton. Collectively this is one of the four towns I recommend stopping at on this circle tour from Merritt, BC. In recent years the town has taken to upgrading its appearance. As you can see in the picture below they have added a very attractive gateway,

Princeton Entrance

As well as City initiatives, the businesses are also getting into the act upgrading their store fronts.

Upgraded façade

By the way, this is where we ate lunch. As a matter of fact, the food was really good as the ingredients were all local when possible. After you eat you can explore the downtown shopping with some quaint shops you won’t find any where else.

Other Activities in Princeton.

Of the many things to do in Princeton I like to walk the part of the Trans Canada Trail (now called The Great Trail) that goes trough town along the Similkimeen River. They have built a cool pedestrian bridge that crosses the river.

Pedestrian bridge

More of the Circle tour from Merritt, BC to come

This part of the tour would take up about four hours at a minimum. However, you can shorten the time and plan to return another day. The next leg of the journey is up the Similkimeen Valley to Penticton. Hopefully, you will stay tuned for the next blog on the rest of this Circle Tour from Merritt, BC.