Desert Centre Osoyoos

Best staff, going above and beyond to allow me to enjoy this delicate and beautiful ecosystem. They had a shaded deck I could leave my dog and let me tell you just. He's a handful. I am so grateful for that experience and for all that they do there to protect this rare and important natural area.

Grandkids were entertained raced to the next numbered rack for ¾ of the walk. We saw a cottontail and enjoyed the information

A unique hike on a well maintained boardwalk over a sensitive desert ecosystem. Only thing that would make it better is if there were a longer loop option for experienced hikers who want some exercise. As it is now it won't take ore than 1/2hr, even if you stop to read all the placards.

We were in Osoyoos for a couple of days and wanted to do something with our kids and away from screens.

We took the guided tour and it was fantastic. Our guide was personable, funny and very knowledgeable about the local animals, and how fragile the local ecosystem is. And to engage three teenagers for an hour, well worth the trip!

Cannot recommend this centre enough!

We paid 20$ (2x10$ for adults) and had a wonderful time at the Osoyoos Desert Centre this afternoon! Very interesting interpretive centre, friendly staff, and a free umbrella to block out the sun as we walked the boardwalk!

We were just in time to join a guided tour and we are glad we did. The pathway is well maintained and wide. Not paved but with composite wood and stroller/wheel chair friendly. They do not participate in the Access2 program, however their admission prices seemed very reasonable (and they are a non-profit!)
Inside there are quite a few exhibits and displays. Everything from snake skins to different cricket species! Some exhibits were in little magnifying boxes so we could get a close up look of the species!

Parcours éducatif sur une partie du désert. Trottoirs en bois pour nous éviter les mauvaises rencontres. Ça prend environ 45 minutes pour faire le tour. Il faut se préparer en conséquence: eau, chapeau, crème solaire

Beautiful walk at the Desert Centre. We loved that there was a picnic area and they also had a pamphlet in French which was greatly appreciated. They offer umbrellas for the walk since it can be quite sunny and hot out there.

Small and informative centre for the ecology of the osoyoos desert. Would recommend the guided tour.

Very friendly staff, the walk way is a perfect length for families and can easily spend an hour or more there. Beautiful area, didn't see much wildlife but that's to be expected when you're one of the last ones there.

Was beautiful!
Didn’t see to many animals/bugs because of the heat, but we still loved it.
A volunteer by the name of Ailya “eye-la” made the whole trip worth it, she was so kind and knowledgeable:)

Excellent interpretive centre highlighting the key features of the desert ecosystem. Very friendly staff.

Easy accessible way to experience one of Canada's most unique eco-systems. The new boardwalk makes it very accessible. Tons of great info along the way and fun trying to spot the wildlife or at least the evidence of it.

A nice walk outside of our daily lives, beautiful scenery and very informative about the ecological system in the area

Great little centre and boardwalk. Bring water and sunscreen! I think children would be bored, but I enjoyed it.

The vegetation is MOST DEFINITELY different for the people who lack attitude and have eyes. This place is awesome - we enjoyed an "accidentally private" guided tour because nobody came for the tour at noon. Learned a lot - saw three different bird species! Thanks so much!

It is disappointed that only at 10 and 12, the guide is avaliable. Paid 8 dollar self guided, but I an tell it would be much informative with the guide.

Amazing place to visit with the whole family! Our tour guide Larissa provided a interesting and informative tour! There’s a lot of interesting plants and ecosystems and the boardwalk was quite pleasant. I recommend to visit for anyone travelling through osoyoos!

Great place to visit while visiting in Osoyoos. We paid 16$ for 2 adolts (our baby enter for free) and we enjoyed from the place. There are organise tours with guide or you can walk by yourself on the boardwalk. We didn't wait for the guide and get in the entrance a booklet with explanations of the place. Also there are picnic tables in the place and clean washrooms. The views are fabulous. We saw there bunny and our daughter was excited. Highly recommended.

Perfect for family, an educational visit, lot of interesting fact about the only semi desert in Canada

A wonderful centre doing great work, the boardwalk trail is a great way to see this rare desert ecosystem up close, dotted with information boards to learn more about this special place. Thank you!

Come here too early so it isn't open. There is a special landform. Too many vineyards destroy it.

Excellent place to support and learn about the local flora and fauna. Friendly staff and reasonable prices.

Très bel endroit. Le sentier en bois est une belle idée pour préserver la flore et se protéger des serpents à sonette:)

Les panneaux d'interprétation et le cahier remis sont très instructifs. Ça vaut la peine de jaser avec les gens a l'accueil. Ce qu'ils ont a raconter est fascinant.

Excellent service. Informative guide - Prab did an excellent job! Loved it so much gave a donation too. Keep it up!

Such an awesome experience for my family and I! The center is run very well, highly recommended!

Opted in for the guided tour and it was hands-down the best experience. Our tour guide Andres was so knowledgeable and personable. The pace was good and I'm certain we received details that we wouldn't have known from the self guided tour. I wasn't expecting much but left with a lot more interesting info. Highly recommend. Cannot beat the price. Bring a hat and water.

So worth it! Please go.
Our guide, Andres, was incredibly knowledgeable and funny, which made the perfect mix to discover this conservation site. We came out of this with a smile on our face and a little bit wiser. It’s an $8 well invested!

We had such a great time this afternoon learning about the local area from our guide Andres. Andres taught us about the plants and animals in the region ie: Yarrow, Sage, Antelope Brush, Cactus, Bats, Scorpions, Burrowing Owls, Pocket Mouse, Badgers, Bears, Blue Birds, Hummingbird Birds, Butterflies, Great Basin Spadefoot Toad etc. Many of the animals have been negatively affected from urbanization and are no longer present in the valley thanks to loss of habitat. Today was a good reminder of how our actions have far ranging consequences. This Centre is ran by a non- profit society and so worthy of supporting.

The manager here very kindly and respectfully guided us to visit this place. Here you can see different species of plants, birds and wild animals. It is very beautiful place

A really interesting walking trail and heritage centre. The staff were friendly and we had a nice time. Who knew Canada had a desert? !

Very educational. Well maintained boardwalk with good explanations along the way. Might be hot on hot days so be prepared.

Kinda sad and beautiful at the same time. The size of the area is indicative of our government's favouritism of agriculture over conservation. I don't think they even receive any funding from BC or Canada, but rather local businesses that want the area to stay the way it is.

A beautiful place, though. Definitely one I will support in the future. Worth the $8 to witness the rarest ecosystem in Canada.

The only Canadian desert like ecosystem. Very rare to find any animals here. Can learn about the Canadian desert ecosystem. Good board walk for 1.5 km. Ample parking space. Not a must visit but a scenic place.

Having lived in California, did not find it to be greatly different. It's a miniature version of the grasslands in Kamloops. What was interesting to see was how farming interrupted the desert.

My family and I loved it here and learned so much about the unique desert environment! There is a wooden walkway so it was easy to being a stroller along with us.
I am see why there are some not so great reviews. It's a long walk, hot, we didnt get a chance to see much wildlife, and it's not a desert like one might picture. But I loved it because I learned a lot, had a nice walk, and there is a beautiful view. It is pretty inexpensive, and you should definitely bring water!

Went in the afternoon, when it was quite hot, so we didn't see any wildlife. I like what they are doing, saving as much habitat as possible. The walk was nice and the displays were informative.

IT'S NOT A DESERT IT'S A SEMI-ARID SHRUB STEPPE THIS PLACE IS A SCAM TO GET TOURISTS DON'T GO THERE

Ein Fussabdruck in dieser Wüste, braucht 50 Jahre für die Regeneration, weil die entscheidende Schicht für das Wachstum so dünn ist. KRASS!
Es gibt noch mehr interessante Infos dort. Allerdings ist der Weg recht kurz und "Ausreisser" selbstverständlich nicht erwünscht. Verständlich.
Es gibt aber viele Informationen im NK MIP-Kulturzentrum beim dortigen Campground. Die Gegend sieht sehr ähnlich aus. Man kann sich dieses Centre dann fast sparen.

Canada's only desert. Interpretive Centre and curated 1.5 km boardwalk through the shrub-steppe desert is an excellent educational experience. Well worth the visit.

Small Desert Centre. Interesting and important information about the desert, it's history, and the impact on the animals and environment with people and farms moving into the area. Didn't see any animals there other than birds in the afternoon.

Really cool place! If you're in the area and you've never been you need to check it out. Super educational and awesome views.