Village Origin
Originally inhabited by the Salish people, Keremeos was incorporated 1956.
The Similkameen native name, ''Keremeyeus' which likely meant 'The creek that cuts' was the source for the village's present day name.

Location
Keremeos is located in South Central British Columbia and is conveniently located on Highway 3, the southern access route through the province  and is a 5 hour drive from the city of Vancouver to the west. 40 minutes north of the village lies the Okanagan Valley city of Penticton and the same distance east on Hwy 3 will lead you to Osoyoos and the American border.

Population & Size
Keremeos has an approximate population of 1,200.
The village itself encompasses 222 hectares. (549 acres)

Elevation
Keremeos is located 1,200 - 1,400 feet above sea level. (365 - 425 meters)

Climate
Average Annual Sunshine - over 2000 hours
Annual Precipitation - 12.2 inches
Average July Temperature - 20 degrees Celsius
Average January Temp. - 1degrees  Celsius
Planting Zone 6B
The Keremeos area boasts an average winter temperature of between 0^o and 7^o Celsius and very little snow. The first snowfall is usually in late December with intermittent snowfall until late February.
Frost free period averages 181 days with last freeze historically occurring about April 18th and first freeze about October 17th.

Industry
The main industry in the valley is fruit growing.  Cattle and hay ranching, market gardening, organic fruit growing and gardening, wineries,. tourism and light industry make up the remainder. Fruit stands are an important part of the local economy. Keremeos boasts more fruit stands than any other growing area in Canada. Keremeos is fast becoming a popular retirement community as well, due to the area's mild winters, dry climate and the picturesque and peaceful countryside.

Medical Care
Keremeos has a new, modern diagnostic center with three resident doctors. emergency and x-ray facilities, a laboratory and a physiotherapy clinic.  Those that require further care are transferred to nearby Penticton Regional hospital via the village's two ambulances.
A 25 bed Intermediate-Extended Care Centre was opened in this same facility in March, 2001.
Home care support is provided through the Health Unit, Keremeos Home Support Services and Meals on Wheels.

Keremeos Diagnostic and Treatment Center
Corner of third Street and Seventh Avenue (Hwy 3)
(250) 499-3000

Public Transportation:
Greyhound Bus Line stops in downtown Keremeos across from the CIBC Bank on 7th Avenue. Flights are available daily from the Penticton airport. (46 km. north). There is a mini bus service available on Mondays and Wednesdays for trips to Penticton for a reasonable fee.

WorkZone
Employment Services & Resource Centre 
Operated by VerTek Diversified Services Ltd.
427 7th Ave., P.O. Box 580
Keremeos, BC V0X 1N0

(P) 250.499.5300 (F) 250.499.5354

Schools
Keremeos has its own elementary and secondary schools. The elementary school is in nearby Cawston and the Secondary school is in Keremeos. There is a campus of Okanagan College in the village offering courses that include basic education, university transfer courses, vocational training and general interest.

School District #53 Oliver (250) 498-3481	Similkameen Elementary Secondary Keremeos (250) 499-2727 http://www.sess.org
Cawston Primary School Cawston ph. (250) 499-5617	Keremeos Learning Center Keremeos (250) 499-0040
Hedley Primary School Hedley ph. (250) 292-8252	Keremeos Playschool Cawston (250) 499-2560
Seven Dwarfs Day Care 604 11th Ave, Keremeos (250) 499-5652	Tee Pee Tot Day Care Centre Fairview Road, Cawston (250) 499-2838

Utilities

Shopping

Keremeos has a large supermarket, (Valu-Plus) two hardware stores, a Radio Shack, two gas stations, with gas, diesel and propane at Sportsmen Corner, an ice cream shop, barber shop and hairdresser, NAPA Auto Parts, three real estate franchises, liquor store, six restaurants serving everything from take-out to fine dining, a tavern, a Sears outlet, a gift shop, many fruit stands, a take-out pizza outlet, two pharmacies, a laundromat, a modern self-storage facility and many home businesses.
More Information

Churches

There are several churches in Keremeos and area including Catholic, Ecumenical, Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness and Pentecostal

Keremeos has three parks within the Village boundaries:

Memorial Park has an outdoor swimming pool, a wading pool and water park, as well as a children's playground. Many community events are held in the park during the summer months.

Pine Park on 12th Avenue alongside the river with its great Ponderosa Pines is a wonderful place for a leisurely stroll.  Take a walk along the dyke. This is a great place for bird watching.

The new Riparian Park next to Pine Park features a restored riverbed habitat with rare native plants with a wide variety of wildflowers and native birds

At the "Hilltop" on 9th Street, is the Similkameen Recreation Centre. The Rec Centre has many things to do, including Bowling, an outdoor skating rink and a climbing wall.

There are tennis courts at the secondary school at the end of 9th Street on the Hilltop.

Ashnola Pow Wow:
Celebrates the native history of Canada and the American West. Spectators are welcome to view the exceptional dancing and arts and crafts exhibits.

Grist Mill & Gardens:
built in 1877 by Barrington Price, is the last pioneer flour mill in British Columbia with its original building and machinery intact. It has been carefully restored to operating condition by the British Columbia Heritage trust.
www.heritage.gov.bc.ca/grist_mill.htm

Hedley Heritage House & Mining Museum

Music Under the "K"  the last weekend in May

Keremeos Museum:
Offer's information about the way of life in the Similkameen Valley from years past The Similkameen Museum has many interesting displays including an original jail cell, a 1920's kitchen with laundry and butter making equipment, and other household articles of that era, mining equipment, farm machinery, a photo display, old maps of the area and many other items.
http://keremeos.net/museum/

Keremeos Rodeo: Held on the Victoria Day Weekend (mid-May)

Bighorn sheep can be seen along the highway west of Keremeos, along River Road by the bluff between the Red and White Bridges and Mountain Goats may sometimes be seen along the highway just north of Olalla on the gravel slopes.

Sportsmen Slide is a unique geological curiosity just west of Keremeos on the slopes of Puddin' Head Mountain. These slides - some over 1/2 mile in length - were formed over countless centuries and both rhodonite and jasper can be found on the slopes.
More information

 "K" Mountain, standing at over 5,500 feet, is an unmistakable site immediately to the south of Keremeos. The mountain's name comes from  the distinct and huge letter "K" emblazoned on its slopes caused by gravel slides

Keremeos Columns Provincial Park contains an impressive geological oddity of 8-sided basalt columns that stands over 30 metres high and more than a kilometre in length. In the spring wildflowers are in abundance on road to the columns.
More information

Mascot Mine, Hedley:  One of the great wonders of the world, the Mascot Mine was once one of the richest gold mines in North America. Now restored and accepting visitors, the Mascot stands as one of the most spectacular mining sites on the planet, with mine buildings perched precariously on a narrow mountain ledge some 5,000 feet above the valley floor.
http://www.mascotmine.com
Article on the Mascot Mine

Wineries:
St. Laszlo Vineyards
Crowsnest Vineyard  2035 Surprise, Cawston (250) 499-5129

Restaurants:
High Spot Family Restaurant 516 7th Ave. Keremeos 499-2946
K-Cafe 521 7th Ave. Keremeos 499-5474
Arleighs Restaurant: 603 7th Ave. 499-0098
Pasta Trading Post 629 7th Ave. Keremeos 499-2933
Ranch Restaurant 511 7th Ave. Keremeos 499-5123
Branding Iron Steak House 918 Hwy 3A Keremeos 499-2646

Accommodations:
Click here for a complete list of motels and bed & breakfasts

Fruit stands, antique and collectible shops
Downtown Keremeos and along Highways 3 and 3a

Red Bridge (currently the highway connection to the Ashnola River Valley) The Red Bridge is one of many visible reminders of the Similkameen's past and one of the few covered bridges in Western Canada. It was built by the Great Northern Railway in 1907, during the gold mining era.
http://keremeos.net/redbridge.html

Cawston
The site of the original Hudson's Bay Company store. The community was named for R.L. Cawston, a pioneer rancher and magistrate.
Population: 845
Industry: Fruit production and packing plant
Location: On Highway 3, 8 kilometres southeast of Keremeos.
More Information

Olalla

Once a booming mining town in the western frontier, Olalla is now a quiet retirement and farming community.

Population: 600

Industry: RanchingLocation: Highway 3A, 10 kilometres north of Keremeos

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Hedley
The community of Hedley was once a prosperous gold mining town. The rock cliffs to the east of present day village give visitors a chance to view the folded rock strata, the openings of mining shafts and mine buildings. Services available include a service station, stores, restaurants, accommodation and private campgrounds.
Population: 402
Historical Feature: Heritage House displays the rich past of the area
Industry: Mining
Location: Hedley is located on Highway 3, approximately half an hour from Princeton.
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Princeton

The largest community in the Similkameen, Princeton lies at the head of the valley.  Mining, forestry and tourism are the mainstay of the community, with full services available.

Population: 2,692

Industry: Mining, Forestry, Tourism

Location: Highway 3, 45 minutes west of Keremeos, 289 km east of Vancouver

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Provincial Parks

Cathedral Lakes Provincial Park:
It is a 33,000 hectare mountain wilderness of azure lakes, alpine meadows and jagged peaks in the Okanagan Range of the Cascade Mountains. You must hike in, but it offers an amazing back-country adventure.
http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/cathedra.htm

Keremeos Columns:
Basalt columns rise up as sheer volcanic monuments dating back 30 million years. The provincial park is located on Hwy 3, 4 km north of the junction with Hwy 3A and it is open year round, admission free. Some hiking is required as the road is not well maintained
More information

Bromley Rock Provincial Park:
A nice roadside park and a popular spot for swimming in the Similkameen River. 
http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/bromley.htm

Stemwinder Provincial Park:
Another popular roadside park near the historic mining village of Hedley.
http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/stemwind.htm