Begin your trip in Kamloops, where urban energy meets small-town hospitality. Grab a coffee and fresh-baked pastry at a local café like The Art We Are or 5Bean Brewbar, then swing by the Kamloops Regional Farmers’ Market (open Wednesdays and Saturdays in season). You’ll find everything from organic produce and preserves to locally raised meats, fresh eggs, and small-batch sauces that make perfect road trip snacks.
Tip: Pack a cooler—you’ll want to take goodies with you!
As you follow Highway 5 north, Barriere is your next flavourful stop. Known for its welcoming community and agricultural roots, Barriere boasts its own farmers’ market (Fridays in summer) where local honey, jams, baked goods, and fresh-cut flowers are in abundance.
Drop by one of the cozy local cafés or restaurants in town for a hearty meal—perfect fuel for your valley adventures. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for roadside stands offering seasonal fruit and vegetables straight from the field.
Throughout the Lower North Thompson, agri-tourism is thriving. From small market gardens to family-run farms, this valley is rich in real food grown with care. Many spots welcome visitors with u-pick opportunities or self-serve honour system farm stands stocked with freshly harvested produce, eggs, and baked goods.
Be sure to check out the Teníye Local Market (just off the Yellowhead Highway near Barriere), where you can find everything from homemade treats to handcrafted wares made by North Thompson artisans and farmers.
With all that delicious fare in hand, make time to enjoy a picnic with a view. Eleanor Lake in Blue River is the ideal place to unpack your locally sourced lunch and soak in the peaceful surroundings. Or pull off at one of the many scenic riverside stops between Barriere and Blue River for an impromptu snack with a side of mountain air.
On your way back or further up the valley, treat yourself to a sweet ending—maybe a warm cinnamon bun from a local bakery, or a scoop of handmade ice cream if you’re lucky enough to spot a seasonal stand.
No matter where your road takes you, one thing’s for sure: the Lower North Thompson Valley offers more than stunning views—it offers a real taste of BC’s local spirit.
Ready to road trip? Come hungry—and support the farmers, bakers, and makers who bring this valley to life, one bite at a time.
We respectfully acknowledge that The LNTTS is located in the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc territory that is situated in the southern interior of British Columbia within the unceded traditional lands of the Secwepemc Nation.
