Rainforest to Rockies highlights the iconic journey from Vancouver on the Pacific Ocean to the Canadian Rockies. Set off from Vancouver on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, travelling through rainforests and desert landscapes, along winding rivers and lakes towards snow-capped mountains and the glaciers beyond. Visit HelloBC to learn more.
Embark on a journey from coastal rainforest to rugged mountain peaks across diverse landscapes for an inspirational British Columbia golf adventure. Travelling from oceanfront to mountain top and everything in between, this road trip offers golfers the opportunity to explore some of British Columbia’s incredible golf courses along with fun things to see, do, and experience.
Option 1: Vancouver | Lower Mainland | Thompson | Shuswap | Rockies | Columbia Valley
Lower Mainland
Start your excursion to explore golf in British Columbia from Rainforest to Rockies in the lovely Lower Mainland and select your choice of lush and lovely golf courses. Stay in the area for a day or two to explore golf courses in the Vancouver area and Surrey, as well as unique attractions, including the Richmond Night Market, the Surrey Spice Trail, and seasonal/special events including professional sports games, theatre, concerts and other shows.
Whistler
Heading north along Highway 99, the Sea-to-Sky Highway, enjoy one of North America’s most visually-stunning drives, following the shores of Howe Sound. Passing by beautiful Squamish, we encourage eager golfers to stop off at Squamish Valley for a round or in town for a cold brew before arriving at one of the world’s most enchanting golf destinations, Whistler. Three incredible, world-class golf courses are set within the village, so take your pick or play them all. After a few days spent touring golf courses, restaurants, and activities, you can head north to another marquee golf course in Pemberton, Big Sky Golf Club.
Outside of golf, you’ll find memorable activities including the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, zipline tours, treetop adventures, and the wonder of Vallea Lumina - an immersive light show set in the forested surrounds of Cougar Mountain.
Kamloops
Following Highway 99 northeast, you’ll link up with the Trans Canada Highway to wind down into Kamloops, first stopping off at Tobiano [link], widely considered one of Canada’s top golf courses and set over beautiful Kamloops Lake - where you can rent a boat, peacefully paddle or take a swim after your to relax and refresh. Over 100 lakes are within a 1-hr drive of the town, so there is no shortage of places to find recreation on the water
Many more spectacular golf courses await in and around Kamloops, as well as additional recreational opportunities. Three wineries and five micro-breweries dot the town for those looking to explore with local libations, and a burgeoning wine and beer scene, while hiking and biking trails criss-cross around and through town.
Note: If you are feeling adventurous, travel the Duffy Lake Road between Pemberton and Lillooet for a windy route to explore new vistas.
Shuswap
Next on your golf tour of Rainforest to Rockies, follow Highway 1 east to the beautiful Shuswap region, a collection of eight lovely communities where the golf courses are lush and the pace is relaxed. Lakeside golf courses here are in no short supply, as well as some fun, links-style tracks that offer a relaxing, unhurried round. For the full Shuswap experience, rent a houseboat to explore at your leisure, you can even park it at Mara Hills and head over for your round!
Embrace Indigenous fare at Jack Sam’s Restaurant & Lounge at Quaaout Lodge & Spa at Talking Rock Golf Resort, one of BC’s Indigenous-owned golf courses. With an emphasis on the freshest, highest-quality ingredients and locally inspired culinary traditions, each dining experience is flavoured with the accents of the wilderness surroundings.
The Shuswap is also a mecca for artists, artisans, musicians and creatives, allowing visitors to explore local art at galleries, studios, museums and shops or outdoors at concerts in the parks or live theatre in stunning settings. You are also welcome to bring your creative talent here and expand your horizons with workshops and in craft studios.
Approaching the Rockies
Continuing east along Highway 1, you’ll pass through Three Valley Gap, a fascinating microcosm of British Columbia history and adventure. Nestled between the clear waters of Three Valley Lake and sheer cliffs of the Monashee Mountains, Three Valley Lake Chateau is an extraordinary structure offering 200 seasonal rooms for those looking for a spot to stay before heading to your next destination. The Ghost Town next door allows visitors to relive the colourful pioneer days of the late 1800’s while exploring over 25 historic buildings and restored steam trains.
Revelstoke and Golden are next on your journey across the province, as eastern as BC golf courses go. Stay tuned for the highly anticipated Cabot Revelstoke opening in 2026, but in the meantime, the current golf selection is well worth the visit, as are the surrounding communities which are bursting with recreational opportunities for eager explorers. Both towns have mountain resorts that offer hiking or biking trails as well as remarkable views as you reach the feet of the Rocky Mountain range, which stretches from Northern BC all the way to New Mexico - a distance of 4,800 km (3,000 miles).
Note: Should you wish to continue into Alberta - head east here. Otherwise…
Columbia Valley
Turning south along the foot of the Rocky Mountains, you’ll enter the Columbia Valley, home to the Columbia Valley Golf Trail along with hot springs, placid lakes, and friendly communities. Golf resorts here offer a wide variety of amenities so you can play, relax, and explore all without having to leave the property, should you wish.
Two golf resorts here offer the opportunity to combine your golf swings and hot springs, Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs. Meanwhile, downtown Invermere is ideal for a stroll to discover boutique retailers, meet working artists and dine at vibrant restaurants and cozy cafes. Lake Windermere is perfect for an afternoon at the beach or on the water, and there are paved footpaths for those looking for a laid-back walk.
Continuing east on Highway 93, you’ll weave through the Rocky Mountains bordering British Columbia and Alberta, an incredibly scenic drive. Stop off at the Kootenay Valley Viewpoint for photos as you polish off your Rainforest to Rockies tour!
Looking for more golf road trip options to explore the Rainforest to Rockies? Read below:
Option 2: Sagebrush | Kelowna | Vernon & Beyond
Merritt
Start off in the Lower Mainland as above, then take the eastern route out of the Valley, along Trans Canada Highway #1 to the Coquihalla Highway #5 - a mountainous route where you may still see glacial snow, even in summer. Just outside of Merritt in Quilchena lies one of Canada’s top golf courses, Sagebrush, set on the shores of Nicola Lake. Book an early round so you have plenty of time to enjoy the spectacular setting and uncompromising links-style design before continuing on your BC road trip.
Kelowna
Hop on the “Connector,” Highway 97C, for a relatively short drive to the bustling city of Kelowna, surrounded by lakes, orchards, wineries, and - you guessed it - golf courses. There is no shortage of selection here with more than a dozen tracks near town, and additional options should you be up for a short drive up or down the valley. Kelowna and the immediate surrounding area offers the opportunity to play top golf courses surrounded by orchards and vineyards, backed by lake and mountain views.
As British Columbia’s largest city outside of the Lower Mainland, there are endless opportunities for leisure after your round as well as some terrific events. Go for a sail on Okanagan Lake, hike up pathways with lake views, mountain bike on challenging single-track or flowy routes, or take a horseback ride to get above the treeline for panoramic views of the valley. Kelowna is also part of the Okanagan’s bustling wine region, and a drive or tour along the Lakeshore Wine Route is the perfect pairing after a day of incredible golf.
Vernon
Take some time to head north from Kelowna to lovely Vernon, where a handful of excellent golf courses await, including two of Canada’s best: Predator Ridge - Ridge and Predator courses. The Resort itself is fantastic as well, with a multitude of accommodation options from condos to large homes right on the fairway. Explore the network of trails surrounding the golf courses, rent an e-bike and head down to the Okanagan Rail Trail, book a wine tour, or do both in the same day!
Nearby The Rise Resort is probably one of the most picturesque golf courses in the Okanagan Valley, perched 1000 feet above Okanagan Lake. The brand-new, expansive 30,000 sq ft building on-site includes The Edge, a premier restaurant where culinary excellence meets panoramic vistas, a chic bar for unwinding with handcrafted cocktails, an events centre, and a golf simulator for those searching for a memorable dining experience.
In and around town, find trails at Kalmalka Provincial Park and SilverStar (among others), explore the history of Vernon with mural tours or a visit to Caetani Centre, find arts and music or head downtown for delicious restaurants and breweries.
Note: From here, you can easily hop onto the Kamloops or Shuswap section of Option 1, or try Option 3 below for a southerly route
Option 3: Southern Okanagan | Crowsnest | Kimberley Cranbrook
This route starts out the same as above but heads south rather than north from Kelowna.
Southern Okanagan
Turning your vehicle south from Kelowna, don’t forget the fantastic golf courses in West Kelowna! Stop and check out Bottleneck Drive in Summerland, a collection of 18 local wineries, distilleries, cideries, and breweries. If you time your visit right, you can take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway steam train too! Heading through Penticton and down to Osoyoos, there is a ton of opportunity for wine tastings, grabbing fruit and home-baked goods from roadside fruit stands, and visiting local favourites like Tickleberry's ice cream shop in Okanagan Falls.
Osoyoos & Oliver
This area of the South Okanagan has a plethora of golf attractions, including the unique NK’mip Canyon Desert Golf Course, proudly owned by the Osoyoos Indian Band. Nearby Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre offers self-guided tours where you can discover the area and view art completed by those who attended the school on the reserve in the 1930s. Walk the 1.5 km of trails on the 50-acre property to learn about how plants were used for food, medicine and technology, leading to a traditional village where you can peek inside a traditional pit house and sweat lodge.
Additional golf options include Fairview Mountain and two golf courses at Osoyoos Golf Club: Desert Gold and Park Meadows. Surrounding area golf courses are orchards and vineyards for those wishing to experience fresh fruit from roadside stands and wine tastings offering locally-grown and produced vintages.
Christina Lake & Crawford
Highway 3 from Osoyoos will take you further east along the bottom of the province, through rolling hills and through small communities. A few hours east of Osoyoos, stop off at Christina Lake - where you can dip your toes in the warmest lake in Canada. The park features 350 metres of sandy beach trees, picnic tables, and a warm shallow swimming area for a delightful afternoon taking the time to enjoy your surroundings.
Continuing east, consider taking a left at Creston and a quick jaunt up to Kokanee Springs Golf Resort - one of the most scenic golf courses in Canada on the eastern shore of Kootenay Lake, one of the largest lakes in BC. Stay on the property for a tranquil evening and dine on-site after a round of golf.
Kimberley & Cranbrook
Back on the Highway, you’ll enter Cranbrook shortly and be in the vicinity of 24/7 golf - 7 golf courses, all within 24 minutes. While each golf course has its own merits, a stay at St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino is highly recommended, not just for the fantastic accommodations and incredible golf, but for a chance to take in the history and culture of the resilient Ktunaxa people. Standing on their traditional territory, following a dark period of Canadian history, they powerfully chose to reclaim the Mission building as a way forward, a place for learning and economic development for future generations.
History and culture are strong in this section of the Kootenay Rockies - Fort Steele Heritage Town, former boomtown then ghost town, is now a living history museum with theatre performances, live demonstrations, and reenactments. Railway enthusiasts are encouraged to visit the Cranbrook History Centre to discover the largest collection of trains in North America, which includes the executive Strathcona car; whose guests have included Queen Elizabeth II and Sir Winston Churchill.
Throughout this area, outdoor adventure is in no short supply for those looking for adrenaline-rushing trails or simply to find some of the province's most awe-inspiring views.
Fernie & East
Continuing east again on Highway 3 allows you to visit Fernie Golf Club and take in the iconic mountain town before winding up Crowsnest Pass into Alberta and onto even more adventures.
Tee off on an unforgettable golf adventure through British Columbia, where lush coastal rainforests give way to the towering peaks of the Rockies. Along the way, immerse yourself in vibrant city life, indulge in seasonal flavours, and unwind in breathtaking landscapes. Whether you’re chasing the perfect round or simply soaking in the scenery, this is more than a golf trip—it’s an extraordinary journey through one of the world’s most captivating destinations Start planning today and let the adventure begin.