The car windows are down, autumn air flowing through, and Mama is in the front seat as we chase the golden light through the Kamloops countryside. These drives have become our way of catching the season’s brief, brilliant beauty.
Our Favourite Fall Routes
Riverside Park Drive This downtown classic feels like an old friend as we drive the Rivers Trail along the Thompson. The cottonwoods and maples put on a show that rivals anything in a magazine, their reflections in the river doubling the beauty. We can drive slowly through this area when Mama wants to “see some action” – walkers, joggers, families, dogs – all moving through the golden light that photographers call “golden hour” but I call “Mama’s favorite hour.”
Pioneer Park Loop Driving through this established neighborhood park gives us gentle curves past mature trees turning spectacular shades of amber and gold. The roads wind easily through the area, and we can pull over at various spots to admire the autumn display without needing to walk far from the car.
Aviation Way Trail Drive When we want an easy, accessible route, we follow Aviation Way where the tree-lined path runs parallel to the road. It’s dog-friendly territory with beautiful fall colors, and we can drive slowly alongside the trail, stopping whenever something catches our eye. At night, even the most unpleasant smell that comes from the local pulp mill cannot stop us from enjoying the local beauty.
Tranquille Back Roads Quiet gravel roads wind through hidden valleys where cottonwoods blaze yellow against red rock cliffs. We discover unexpected viewpoints overlooking the Thompson River valley, pull over for impromptu moments of wonder, and follow paths that feel like secrets only we know.
McConnell Lake Loop The road curves around still water that mirrors autumn aspens like scattered gold coins. Here we can actually hear individual leaves falling in the peaceful quiet. The drive itself becomes meditation – windows down, engine humming softly, beauty unfolding with each gentle turn. You can also find some local mushrooms to enjoy as they grow.
Isobel Lake Adventure Our “let’s really go somewhere” drive takes us about 45 minutes from home, where elevation means colors come earlier and last longer. The beauty of the lake surrounded by autumn aspen makes every mile worthwhile, creating a sense of true expedition from our little moving sanctuary.
Lac du Bois Grasslands The open grasslands offer autumn beauty that’s completely their own – golden grasses swaying under big sky, occasional red pickleweed around alkaline lakes. It’s stark, stunning, and completely unlike the forest drives, showing us how many faces autumn wears.
Tsútswecw Provincial Park Drive When timing aligns, this combines two autumn wonders – fall foliage and the salmon run along the Adams River. Even when it’s just the colors, the drive through this provincial park provides endless fascination as we wind along the river channel.
Downtown Drive to City Hall On Saturdays around 3:00 p.m., I make sure to drive to City Hall, where the weekly Stand with Ukraine gathering takes place. It’s a reminder of community spirit that warms our hearts, and the downtown autumn trees provide a beautiful backdrop as I am being part of this weekly show of solidarity and support.
McArthur Island Park Circuit The island setting gives us that “we’ve gone somewhere special” feeling as we drive the loop road. The mix of river views and tree-lined paths creates layers of autumn color, and we can extend or shorten our drive based on how Mama’s feeling. Sometimes we just drive the loop slowly with windows down, and that’s enough.
Westsyde Centennial Park Just across the river in Westsyde, this park offers something special – crystal clear views of the mountains framing the Thompson River. The mature trees turn spectacular shades of amber and gold, but it’s those pristine mountain vistas that make Mama catch her breath. We can drive right up to the viewpoints, and the pathways are gentle enough that we can step out of the car when the view demands closer appreciation.
The Halloween House Trail As October arrives, we add a special evening drive to our autumn adventures. Following the Kamloops Halloween Houses Map I created for community to enjoy, we wind through neighborhoods transformed into spooky wonderlands. Brocklehurst has become our favorite route, where Shannon Moore’s mapped displays create a perfect viewing circuit. We drive slowly past elaborate haunted yards, Mama delighting in the creativity and community spirit. Bentley’s Haunted Yard, celebrating its 11th anniversary this year, always earns a stop – their charitable spirit warms our hearts as much as their decorations thrill us.
This year we’ve extended our Halloween drives to include Ashcroft, where Desert Hills Ranch has created a spectacular Harry Potter-themed display. The drive to Ashcroft becomes magical as autumn colors frame the route, and Mama’s eyes light up at the elaborate wizarding world they’ve created among the fall landscape.
The Magic of Autumn Driving
There’s something about experiencing fall from the gentle motion of a car – the way colors flow past the windows like a living painting, how each vista opens and closes in perfect timing. Mama points to trees that catch her eye, and I slow down so we can really see what captured her attention.
The car becomes our comfortable viewing platform where we control everything – temperature, pace, when to stop and when to keep moving. Some drives we barely speak, just absorbing the beauty. Other times, I tell stories sparked by the landscape rolling past.
We’ve learned that the best routes aren’t necessarily about destinations. They’re about following golden light as it shifts across hillsides, stopping when something beautiful demands our attention, and letting the season guide our wandering. Whether we’re chasing autumn aspens around distant lakes, driving through golden grasslands, or admiring both natural fall colors and magical Harry Potter displays in Ashcroft, each drive becomes its own small adventure.
The autumn colors in Kamloops are spectacular, but the real treasure is sharing them from the warmth of our little moving sanctuary, watching the countryside transform outside our windows while time moves at the gentle speed of seasons.
Share Your Autumn Drives
We’d love to hear about your favorite fall driving routes around Kamloops! Do you have a special back road that turns golden every October? A scenic viewpoint that takes your breath away? A hidden gem where the autumn light hits just right?
Please share your beloved autumn drives – whether they’re close-to-home loops perfect for a quiet evening, adventurous routes to distant lakes, or simply the neighborhood streets where you love to watch the season change. Your suggestions help create a richer map of autumn beauty for everyone to explore.
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