This 6,000 resident town on Highway 5 is about midway between Kamloops and Hope on the Coquihala Highway, and about108 km from Peachland in the Okanagan. Merritt site in the middle of prime ranching country at the junction of the Coldwater River and the Nicola River as its flows west toward the Fraser River. The valleys contain about 150 small lakes, ideal for rainbow and cutthroat trout, as well as kokanee and Dolly Varden char.
The town was created in 1906 due to a coal mining boom, and is particularly proud of the grand Coldwaterr Hotel, built in 1908 for $6,000, and was once the finest hotel in BC’s interior. The town also has the nine-hole Merrit Golf and Country Club, and the 9-hole Nicola ValleyGolf Course and RV Park. Ther are plenty of trails in the eara, including the Queen’s Char Trail (on Juniper Driver), Godey Creek Trail (at junction of highways 5 and 5a), and in Kane Valley (17 km east of Merritt on highway 97C) which is also popular for cross-country skiing.
Attractions
Nicola Valley Museum and Archives
2202 Jackson Ave
250-378-4145
History of the Nicola Valley and Craigmont Mine, as well as information about area coal mining, ranching and the area natives.
Coquihala Toll Plaza
55 km south of Merritt
This is the collection point for those who travel on the Coquihala highway which saves several hours and many miles (not to mention the stress of the narrow Fraser Canyon) for those travelling on the Trans-Canada Highway.
Community Map
Use mouse to drag/move map. Click on "+" or "-" to zoom in or out. "Satellite" shows photo, "Hybrid" combines map & photo.
