Oliver and Osoyoos might be the last places Okanagan outdoor enthusiasts consider for a day trip because both can be a long drive away, but they’d be missing out two special treats.

Their trails have something special to offer that other valley trails don't. The southern part of the Okanagan has what everyone refers to as a “pocket desert,” the only one in Canada. However, in reality, it is the northernmost point of the Great Basin Desert, which stretches south to Mexico.

Without doubt, the ultimate desert experience is at the Osoyoos Desert Centre, a 67-acre nature interpretive facility, where visitors can learn about desert ecology, habitat restoration and conservation of endangered ecosystems in the South Okanagan.

The best part is a tour along its 1.5-kilometre wooden boardwalk to experience the extraordinary beauty of one of Canada’s rarest ecosystems. Keep a watchful eye out for snakes, scorpions and black widow spiders and remember they’re more scared of you than you are of them.

Located three kilometres north of Osoyoos, off Highway 97 at 14580 146 Avenue, the centre now has fall hours through early October—10 a.m to 2 p.m. Wednesday to........

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