Merritt is located 271 Kilometres (168 miles) northeast of Vancouver in the heart of the Nicola Valley and has a resident population of approximately 8,000. Merritt offers wide open spaces, winding rivers and a great downtown area to see and explore. Merritt has something for everyone, especially for fans of country music. Merritt is known as the "Country Music Capital of Canada". Merritt is home to the world famous Mountainfest held each July, featuring many country music superstars.
Things to do in Merritt
Baille House
the Baillie Property is owned by the City of Merritt & operated by the Nicola Valley Heritage Society. The property dates back to 1908 and contains a large Victorian house, one of the 1st commercial sites, a hay barn & garage. Open to the public during summer months for tours. Special activities during the summer include: English tea in the garden, Garden Tour & other fund-raisers. Private tours & events welcome anytime and can be arranged by telephone. Step back into the past! Call 250-378-0349 for more information.
2250 Voght Street, Merritt, BC
Douglas Lake Ranch
The Ranch was established in 1886 and today is known to as Canada's largest working cattle ranch. The ranch is approximately 515,000 acres in size and has in the neighbourhood of 18,000 head of cattle and employs 60 people. In addition, the ranch has two of North America's top lakes for producing rainbow trout and operates a general store and post office. So come and visit us and enjoy some fishing, horseback riding, watch a movie being made, tour the ranch or just relax. We are located at Douglas Lake just outside of Merritt. Call 800-663-4838 for more information.
Godey Creek Trail
The Godey Creek trails offer average technical difficulty and average physical difficulty. The trails follow Godey Creek down the mountain, crossing it several times on bridges. In the summer enjoy the swimming hole on the Upper Godey Trail. Some intersections can be found along the way, where other trails join.
Honeymoon Trail, Thynne Mountain, Lundbom Lake, Mount Henning & Iron Mounta
These are only a few of the many areas to explore on snowmobile. Endless groomed trails that are suitable for a leisurely family ride with nearby tobogganing hills are spread throughout the area. Alternatively, for the experienced rider, enjoy the challenging trails at higher elevations (up to 8,000 feet!).
Kane Valley
The Kane Valley is just 27 miles from Merritt and offers fantastic cross-country skiing during the winter months. You will find over 64 miles of well-marked groomed trails with several sheltered rest areas. The superb snow conditions combined with a mild climate makes cross-country skiing a popular sport during the winter.
Marquart Lake
Marquart Lake features a surface area of 23 hectacres and is located due south from Nicola and east of Merritt. The Lake boasts the best fishing time for Rainbow, Kokanee and Brookies during the spring and fall months. These fish range between 1-2 lbs. Access is from a secondary road
Merritt Golf and Country Club
This centrally located golf club is found in the heart of the city. The course has parts of the Nicola River flowing through it and affecting play on five holes. Enjoy an easy walk over rolling hills through the generous fairways and rolling greens you will find an additional set of tees that can be used when playing an eighteen hole round. Call 250-378-9414 for more information.
1450 Juniper Drive, Merritt, BC
Monck Provincial Park
The Park is located on the western shores of Nicola Lake just north of Merritt. Monck Provincial Park is a great park for the entire family offering a campground, sani-station, boat launching ramp, and hiking trails which lead to Indian pit houses and scenic viewpoints. Enjoy Kokanee fishing in the lake or explore the wonderful beaches. You will find Second Beach leads to some historic rock paintings and native pictographs. During the summer, educational interpretive programs are offered at the park’s amphitheatre, including guided walks, slide shows, children’s programs and special events. June - Labour Day a naturalist program is also offered. Located 22 km north of Merritt, 12 km off Hwy 5A via a narrow paved road. Call 250-315-2771 for more information.
Nicola Lake
Nicola Lake is set in a beautiful setting, as it lies amongst rolling hills of sage, grass, and sparsely dotted Ponderosa pine. The Lake is renowned for its depth and as a result it said the Lake harbours 26 species of fish, some weighing up to 20 pounds (9 kg). Angling is the most popular form of sport fishing in the Nicola area lakes, but ice fishing, spear fishing, and set-line methods are also used. Located 10 km. (6.2 mi.) northeast of the town of Merritt
Nicola Ranch
The historic Nicola Ranch is one of the largest working cattle ranches in Canada and is located in the heart of the beautiful Nicola Valley. Tour buses have easy access to the parking area in front of our gift shop, concession stand, washrooms and domestic animal zoo. We pride ourselves on being Merritt's Family Friendly Ranch" and invite visitors to join us anytime. Call 250-378-6499 for more information.
Nicola Valley Apiaries
Situated in the heart of the historic Nicola Valley, Nicola Valley Apiaries maintains 500 hives on the hay meadows of the ranches in the area. This region produces a unique honey with very low moisture content. In addition to liquid honey the company also produces cut comb honey, chunk honey, creamed honey, pollen, beeswax and beeswax candles. Nicola Valley Honey is available from local stores in Merritt and the surrounding area, throughout the Okanagan and at selected locations in the Lower Mainland. Call 250- 378-5208 for more information.
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
NVIT is an Aboriginal governed post-secondary institute that was originally formed as a private institution in 1983 by the Coldwater, Shackan, Nooaitch, Upper Nicola, and Lower Nicola Bands of the Nicola Valley. The Institute was started in response to the need for quality post-secondary education for First Nations people in an environment that promotes traditional ways and fosters student success. Call 877-682-3300 for more information.
4155 Belshaw Street, Merritt, BC
Nicola Valley Museum
The Nicola Valley Museum Archives Association has a wide selection of souvenirs and books representative of the Nicola Valley and area. Please call for hours of operation. Call 250-378-4145 for more information.
2202 Jackson Avenue, Merritt, BC