Welcome to Osoyoos, named in 1995 as Canada’s prettiest little town. Incorporated in 1946, Osoyoos was an ancient crossing place named "Sooyuss" meaning "narrows of the water or place where the two lakes come together" by the Interior Salish people long before the Gold Rush Days. The area was used as a trading route by the Hudson’s Bay Company from 1812 to 1848. Located just 4 km from the Canada – US border, Osoyoos has the distinctive role of welcoming travelers entering Canada at the Port of Osoyoos. Many people come here because it is Canada’s only arid desert, situated at the northern end of the Sonoran Desert which extends up from Mexico. A group of dedicated citizens have worked hard to establish a desert interpretive centre near the community.

Osoyoos grew on both sides of Osoyoos Lake, which reflects the splendor of the Okanagan mountain range. The area has Canada’s lowest annual precipitation and its warmest annual temperature, which can soar to 45C in the summer. In fact, the lake is the warmest freshwater lake in Canada. The lake, which extends along the valley floor into the United States, supports approximately 30 species of fish and is sanctuary to the Canada Goose, the Bald Eagle and the Great Horned Owl.

Agriculture also has an important role to play in this area. Osoyoos has the earliest fruit season in the Okanagan Valley with a wide variety of fruits including cherries, apricots, plums, pears, peaches, apples and all kinds of vegetables. The Okanagan also has a worldwide reputation for its grape and wine industry. There are many wineries of different sizes throughout the valley. Grapes grown on some 3000 acres of land along the valley benches produce a variety of world class vintages.

Explore Canada’s Desert…

Enter the fragile Antelope Brush Ecosystem and discover the intense beauty of Canada’s only desert. With only 9% of this rare ecosystem remaining relatively undisturbed, the Desert Centre in Osoyoos, BC is the last remaining home to many endangered and threatened species such as the Burrowing Owl, the Spadefoot Toad and the Northern Rattler. For more information contact the Osoyoos Desert Society at 250 495 2470 or visit their website at www.desert.org.

Spotted Lake.

Location:
From the junction of Highway #97 and Highway #3, go west on #3, 8.3 km (5.1 miles) west of Osoyoos. Woven into the heritage of the Aboriginal People of the Okanagan, are stories of "Kliluk, the Spotted Lake" It was a place where aches and ailments were soaked away in the healing mud and waters. Spotted Lake is visible from the Highway west of town. It is a rare and unique natural phenomenon covering 15.2 hectares (38 acres), containing one of the world's highest concentrations of minerals: magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salts); calcium and sodium sulfates, plus 8 other minerals and traces of 4 more, including silver and titanium. In the hot summer sun, the water of Spotted Lake evaporates and crystallizes the minerals, forming many white-rimmed circles, shallow pools that reflect the mineral content of the water in shades of blues and green. Spotted Lake is owned by the Osoyoos Indian Band. Please respect their property and do not trespass.