Snug on the banks of the Shuswap River, Enderby sits on the northern edge of the Okanagan and bridges the wide valley to the south with the more forested, mountainous landscape to the north. Though at a crossroads, the city has become a destination for outdoor adventurers, thanks to the pretty river that oxbows through town and the Enderby Cliffs that beckon to the east. And every summer families make the trip to the Starlight Drive-In, an Okanagan institution where you can watch blockbusters on a warm night under a blanket of stars.
Enderby comes alive in summer, when water lovers head to the river to paddle or float popular sections close to town, activities best enjoyed in August when the flow of the Shuswap River has slowed. The city shines in fall, too, when the larch and birch trees turn golden and cooler days entice hikers to Enderby Cliffs Provincial Park to tackle the trail to the top of the basalt escarpment for spectacular leaf peeping. Autumn is also when the salmon return to their spawning grounds, and you can learn about their lifecycle and explore riverside trails at nearby Kingfisher Interpretive Centre. In winter, ski the trails at the Larch Hills Nordic Society or join an interpretive snowshoe tour of the Enderby Cliffs.
Enderby is located on the ancestral lands of the Splastin First Nation, the southernmost community of the Secwépemc Nation. Thanks to its location, Enderby played an important role in the early development of the Okanagan Valley. The Shuswap River formed a lifeline to move goods and people between Kamloops and Okanagan Lake, and early European settlers built a sawmill, flour mill, brickyard and creamery. The Enderby Museum displays this history, while the Deep Creek Tool Museum showcases tools and household items from a bygone era.
Today, farming is still an important industry, with local farms, ranches and orchards now joined by vineyards growing grapes and making wine. Stop in at Waterside Winery or Baccata Ridge Winery to learn more about winemaking, and to sample everything from fruit wines at Baccata Ridge to traditional wines at Waterside, right on the Shuswap River.
Adventurous days should be followed by restful nights, and Enderby’s options — ranging from quiet campgrounds to tried and true hotels and motels — oblige. Whether you choose the perfect shady campsite, a bed and breakfast on a century farm, or a lakeside resort, you’ll awaken ready for another active day.
Slow down and veer off the beaten path in five welcoming communities connected by lakes, forests, mountains, and hundreds of kilometres of trails. Armstrong, Enderby, Lumby, Silver Star and Vernon welcome adventurers in all seasons to play, rest and refuel. Find your happy place in the great outdoors, at a community event, or with family and friends at a farm-to-table restaurant.
Vernon
Greater Vernon’s trail network entices paddlers, skiers, runners, hikers, and cyclists to go the distance in the Trails Capital of BC. Pair your adventures with events, great food, and fun attractions in all seasons.
This colourful mid-mountain village is famous for the light Okanagan powder that settles on its downhill ski slopes in winter, but Silver Star welcomes adventurers in all seasons.
