My family and I went to the Desert Centre in July 2023. We truly enjoyed our visit, our guide was... read more
My family and I went to the Desert Centre in July 2023. We truly enjoyed our visit, our guide was... read more
We came as a couple. They clearly are putting in a lot of effort to make the place interesting... read more
The board walk makes going through this beautiful area an easy stroll, and it's very peaceful. Beautiful views of the valley as well as the details of the desert. Saw a rabbit, cacti, loads of birds, badger holes, and more. The building offers informative panels on all the wildlife in the area and is very well presented. Definitely worth a visit.
I'm just flicking through my photos of Osoyoos and some of the best ones were shot at the desert centre... we hung out in the morning before the free tour began and we saw ospreys, ravens, elk, deer, gofer snakes and some cool insects... and that was before their amazing volunteer took us around on a free guided walk(on the hour or at least 2 hourly) on the boardwalk. its a not for profit and the protect the environment there so its well worth the few bucks for donation and entry.
its a shame the wineries seem to have a hold of a lot of water from the rivers as the wineries are sooo green and this doesnt represent the desert of osoyoos. The desert centre, however, is a safe and beautiful way to experience Canada's only desert.
The guide we had was knowledgeable and super friendly.
we will definitely come back again :)
We expected to see landscape/habitat and that we did. Walked for over an hour and saw desert vegetation, 3 rabbits and a hummingbird - lots of info on the different creatures (that we didn't see) of the area is offered both in the self guide book and posted signage. We did not have the guide, we just enjoyed strolling by ourselves. $16 for a family of 4 - an hour of learning, walking, desert sightseeing with no complaints or gaming devices in sight was money well spent.
This is a great place to learn about Canada's only true desert. There is a small interpretive centre ( $7 adult admission) where volunteers will answer your questions. If you are here in summer be sure to bring water, hat and sunscreen ( although there is a basket of hats that can be borrowed if you are desperate ) There is a 1.5 km raised boardwalk (to protect the crytobiotic crust) Hah, now you will have to visit to find out what that is. You can either take a self guided tour with pamphlet or do a 1 hr guided tour. Both are worthwhile. If you take the self guided, take your time. stop and watch and listen and the wildlife will become apparent.
It worked out well for us because they have an information centre that gives you a good grounding in the local wildlife and then a guide takes you for a walk around the grounds pointing out vegetation and helping you understand why things are the way they are. Our guide really knew her stuff and it was a very pleasant way to spend the morning. I would go in the morning before it gets too hot.
The desert centre looks very modest as you approach it, but it is a remarkably interesting place to visit. Our guide, Valery, a young woman with a degree in ecobiology and a passion for the desert ecosystem provided a well-paced and informative tour. The plants of the desert might be said to be fifty shades of grey and it took Valery to direct us to the presence of many. She had fascinating details of their survival in the desert climate and some stories of human folly in coping with the desert.
We thought the hour tour along the boardwalk was well worth it. Anyone over 6 would find the centre interesting.