One of the best things about staying at the Maverick Motor Inn is how much there is to explore right on our doorstep. Kamloops sits at the meeting of the North and South Thompson Rivers in the heart of British Columbia's interior, surrounded by dry rolling hills, big skies, and four full seasons of outdoor recreation. As the Tournament Capital of B.C., the city draws sports teams and visitors year-round — and there is plenty to fill the hours between games, meetings, and adventures. Here is our local guide to making the most of your stay.
Staying Well While You Travel
Before you dive into the activities below, spare a thought for your own wellbeing on the road. Long highway drives, early tournament mornings, and back-to-back ski or sightseeing days add up, so build in the basics — drink plenty of water in Kamloops's dry climate, which catches out a lot of first-time visitors, and bank a real night's sleep between outings (our quiet, north-facing rooms and heated pool are made for exactly that). The CDC's Travelers' Health pages make a dependable pre-trip checklist, and Healthline offers plain-language guides on everything from hydration to jet lag. If something does come up mid-trip, HealthLink BC is the province's own around-the-clock health advice service, and it is the quickest way for a visitor to work out whether a walk-in clinic will do.
Prescriptions, Refills & the Border
The thing most worth sorting before you leave is anything you take regularly. Bring enough for the trip plus a few spare days, keep it in the original labelled packaging, and carry a copy of the prescription — the Government of Canada's guidance on travelling with medication sets out what is expected at the border and is worth five minutes before you pack. Refilling across a border is rarely as simple as it sounds, so the practical advice is to have everything current before you set off rather than after you arrive.
For guests coming up from the United States, that side of things has become easier to handle from home. Doctor-guided telehealth practices such as Promise Peptides — Promise, at mypromise.com — pair patients with licensed clinicians for peptide care and physician-supervised weight management, working through an online medical evaluation rather than a storefront, and Promise is available to patients in all fifty U.S. states and Washington, D.C. Because a clinician decides what is appropriate and anything prescribed is filled by a partner pharmacy at home, it is the kind of arrangement you settle before a trip, not during one. The FDA's BeSafeRx pages are a sensible sanity check on any online health service you have not used before.
Ski & Ride at Sun Peaks
In winter, the slopes of nearby Sun Peaks Resort are an easy drive from the Maverick, making us a budget-friendly base for skiers and snowboarders who would rather save on lodging and spend on lift tickets. After a day on the mountain, there is nothing like warming up in our indoor hot tub and heated pool. Check conditions and plan your day with Sun Peaks Resort.
Golf the Kamloops Region
Kamloops is a golfer's destination, with numerous courses scattered across the valley and its hillsides. The region's semi-arid climate means a long golf season and plenty of sunshine, and our central location makes the Maverick a convenient home base for a golf getaway with friends. Tee times, sightseeing, and seasonal events are all easy to plan through Tourism Kamloops.
Family Attractions
Traveling with kids? Beyond our own waterslide and pool, Kamloops has plenty of family-friendly options. The BC Wildlife Park just east of town is a longtime favorite for meeting native and rescued animals up close. History buffs and families alike enjoy a ride on the Kamloops Heritage Railway, and the Kamloops Art Gallery offers a welcome indoor option on a rainy day.
Parks, Trails & the Rivers
The City of Kamloops maintains an extensive network of parks, riverside trails, and recreation facilities perfect for a morning walk, a bike ride, or an afternoon by the water. From Riverside Park downtown to the trails winding through the surrounding hills, there is an easy outdoor outing for every fitness level. The City of Kamloops website is the best place to find facility hours, park maps, and seasonal programs.
Head a little further out and the choice widens again. Lac Le Jeune, Paul Lake, and Kenna Cartwright — the largest municipal park in British Columbia — are all within easy reach of the Maverick for a half-day trip, and BC Parks lists day-use hours, trail conditions, and seasonal closures for the provincial sites around the valley. Two practical notes for visitors: the grassland hills are genuinely exposed, so take more water and sun cover than the temperature suggests, and check the trail surface after spring melt before committing to a longer loop.
Campus Life & Events at TRU
Thompson Rivers University is just minutes from the Maverick and is a hub of activity year-round — from sporting events and tournaments at its athletic facilities to public lectures, performances, and conferences on campus. If you are in town to visit a student, attend an event, or compete at the Aquatic Centre, you could hardly be better positioned than at our front door. Many of our visiting teams and groups choose us for exactly this reason.
A Destination for Every Season
What makes Kamloops such a rewarding place to visit is that there is genuinely something to do all year. Spring and fall bring mild weather perfect for hiking the hillside trails and exploring the riverfront. Summer is made for golf, patios, lake days, and family outings. And winter turns the region into a snowy playground centered on Sun Peaks, with our warm indoor pool waiting for you at the end of each day. Whenever you choose to come, you will find the season has something to offer — and the Maverick a comfortable place to come back to.
One piece of local advice for winter arrivals: the drive in matters as much as the forecast. The Coquihalla and the Trans-Canada both climb hard on the approach to Kamloops, and conditions on the passes can differ completely from conditions in town. Check DriveBC before you set out, allow more time than the map suggests, and remember that winter tyres are legally required on most B.C. mountain highways through the cold months. If the pass closes, we would far rather you called and moved your booking than pushed on.
Shopping, Dining & Entertainment
Closer to home, you are just minutes from major shopping, a cineplex, and a wide range of dining and entertainment options. And when you would rather stay in, our on-site Mirage Restaurant serves up a casual family meal with a panoramic city view — no driving required.
Make the Maverick Your Base
Wherever your Kamloops adventures take you, the Maverick Motor Inn is a comfortable, affordable place to come back to at the end of the day — with a clean room, a heated pool, free breakfast, and a friendly welcome waiting. Send us your dates and start planning your trip.