Savona

Journey down memory lane at the nearby Savona Community Heritage Centre, where the folklore and history of the region are shared. Open year round on Wednesdays, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

In 1980, a Tibetan monk was sent by his master to Vidette Lake in the Deadman Valley, to help determine whether this location could be the centre of the universe. The monk stayed at the Vidette Vidette Lake Nature Retreat, a former 1860’s Fur Trading Post. Further tests conducted by a group of monks in 1984 and 1988 led to the conclusion that the centre of the universe was located on the resort’s property. It continues to be a site of pilgrimage for Tibetan monks. Call the resort in advance to book a tour of the “Centre of the Universe”. 

 Situated in the Castle Rock Hoodoos Provincial Park, these spectacular formations are some of the finest examples of hoodoos that can be seen from a public roadway in British Columbia. According to ancient Indigenous folklore, the hoodoos represent invading warriors who broke a promise and were turned to stone. Due to erosion, please admire the hoodoos from a distance to help preserve them for future generations. 

Visit the Deadman Falls, a spectacular display of water cascading down 200 feet into a narrow canyon. The falls are approximately 5km north of the Vidette Lake Nature Retreat on the Deadman Vidette Road. 

Heading east from Savona along the beautiful shores of Kamloops Lake, you’ll arrive at a stop that offers 180 degrees of spectacular views. From the pull-off approximately 1/2km west of the Lookout, visitors can view the ‘Balancing Rock’: a boulder perched atop a clay Hoodoo pillar that has been eroded over thousands of years. This structure is susceptible to erosion and is of special significance in Indigenous heritage, so please help to preserve this site by keeping your distance! 

The Gold Country GeoTourism Program is the perfect way to begin your explorations of Copper Desert Country. With hidden caches placed at carefully selected sites of interest, you can discover the rugged trails once taken by fur traders, an abandoned gold mine and much more. 

Gold! Yes, there is gold in Gold Country! The sound of rushing water, as you fill your pan with gravel and sand, the excitement of seeing something glitter in the sun as you work away the sediment and are left with some flakes that spark a smile of satisfaction on your face as you think of all of those pioneers and settlers who came through this region to seek riches during the Gold Rush. Gold panning is a fun, recreational activity for the entire family. It requires patience and oftentimes there may be no golden reward at the end of the day, but you will be rewarded with some lifetime memories that were created while out exploring the waters edge. Seeing fish leaping out in the waves, eagles circling overhead and deer coming down from the mountains to drink the cool water are some of the wildlife experiences you may have while trying your hand at panning. 

East of Savona, on a bluff overlooking Kamloops Lake, is Tobiano – a golfer’s paradise. Cliffs, canyons and a dusting of sagebrush make this course one of the most picturesque in British Columbia, and an unforgettable experience for any golf enthusiast. Open from April to October. 

 Swim or relax on the beach on a sunny day, enjoy a picnic or a friendly game of horseshoes. This park includes a boat launch so you can set out for some great fly-fishing or an exhilarating day of waterskiing. 

 Situated with a beach on Kamloops Lake, Steelhead Provincial Park is a beautiful spot for camping and fishing. 

 A great spot for trout fishing, Tunkwa Provincial Park has some first rate amenities on offer for visitors year round. For hiking, biking, horseback riding and ATV riding, head to the large trail network behind Leighton Lake (accessible from the parking lot just beyond the entrance to Leighton Lake). 

 Stunning views as well as beautiful seams of agate and green opals make this area extremely popular with hang-gliders, hikers and rock hounds. The caves are situated at the summit of the mountain, an ancient volcano, and were once used for ancient rituals and celebrations. Please respect the pictographs that can be seen in the caves. 

 This picturesque farming area is home to equestrian opportunities, hiking, and biking. Popular dirt biking and mountain biking trails can be discovered on Greenstone Mountain, accessible via Greenstone Mountain Road in Cherry Creek. 

 Located near Paska Lake, Chuwhels Mountain is covered in trails for hikers, dirt bikers, ATV riders and horse riders. 

 The Overlander Ski Club maintains popular cross-country ski and snowshoe trails around Stake Lake. Kids’ ski equipment rentals and snowshoe rentals for all ages are available. Some of Stake Lake’s cross-country ski trails extend to Lac Le Jeune. Cross-country skiing is also available at Tunkwa Provincial Park. There are numerous snowmobile trails in Copper Desert Country, including Lac Le Jeune, Tunkwa Provincial Park. Greenstone Mountain and the Tranquille Lake/Porcupine Meadows Snowmobile Trail System.