The Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre (pronounced in-ka-meep) is a state-of-the-art interpretive centre located in Canada’s only desert.
Although it is called Canada’s only desert or a “pocket desert”, you won’t see sand dunes or the large saguaro cacti here. There is some debate as to whether Osoyoos is a true desert or not because of occasional rainy and snowy spells. The climate here, however, is the same as that of Phoenix, Arizona and the area supports many desert dwellers; creatures such as scorpions, rattlesnakes, and plants like the prickly-pear cactus.
Desert or not, Osoyoos is a unique and beautiful area with a precious habitat and supporting an important native culture that should be celebrated and protected – and that’s where the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre comes in.
Engineered with gentle sensitivity into a desert hillside, the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre offers a family-friendly, interactive learning environment designed to inform you with hands-on displays, education stations, and two multi-media theatres.
The Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre is state-of-the-art with extensive indoor and outdoor exhibits, galleries, and interactive experiences designed to bring a closer understanding of the plants, animals, people, and geography of this unique world.
Explore indoor and outdoor cultural exhibits of the natural environment and the Syilx people of the Okanagan Nation. Study and discover the ecology of the desert and its wildlife in the “Critter Corner” and “Living Land” displays. Take interpretive trail walks with guides and learn what else lives here, how, and why. Visit a traditional Syilx pit house and sweat lodge and take a peek inside. Take a desert hike, enjoy a fishing excursion, or enjoy a rappelling session. There’s just so much to do, see, and learn here!
Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre
2 km east of Osoyoos off Hwy 3
For more information, directions and details, please visit: www.nkmipdesert.com
Thompson Okanagan Lodging
Whether you’re visiting Canada’s only desert or are in the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia for some other reason, do yourself a favor and stay at one of our Okanagan Bed and Breakfast inns. What better place to stay than with a locally owned and operated business that knows the area?