Oroville

Understand

Established at the west end of the Okanogan Highlands as “Oro” in 1892 and renamed “Oroville” in 1909, this small community owes its name to its gold mining, panning and dredging history. The historic towns of Nighthawk, Molson, and Chesaw are nearby. Some gold is still extracted along the Similkameen River, which flows into Okanogan river; the nearby Buckhorn Mountain gold mine produces 123,000 ounces of gold annually. The local economy relies primarily on agriculture (apples, cherries, grapes and other fruit) sustained through irrigation. Farmers' markets, fruit stands, a brewery and three local wineries offer local home-grown products. The surrounding countryside of hills, mountains, rivers, lakes and forests hosts various fruit orchards, public lands and trails. Oroville is an amazing place to take your kids to swim in Lake Osoyoos.

Local information City of Oroville website

Getting there

US Highway 97 (US-97) runs through the center of town, crossing the Canadian border as BC-97 at Osoyoos.

By public transit Trango (Okanogan County Transit Authority), ☏ +1 509-557-6177. Operates a bus route between Oroville and Tonasket. (updated Sep 2024)

Getting around

While the city is small enough to walk around in, the only sidewalks are in the downtown area. A car allows one to reach resort cottages spread out across Lake Osoyoos.

Do

1 Osoyoos Lake Veteran’s Memorial Park. The former Osoyoos Lake State Park, now municipally-operated, has a 300 ft (91 m) sandy beach on Osoyoos Lake, a campground and a boat ramp. }

Events Tumbleweed Film Festival. August. Annual Film Festival.

Buy

There are numerous antique stores and gas stations. Most stores in Oroville, other than Princes, close at 5PM.

Eat

Most restaurants in Oroville close by 9PM and stay closed for portions of the winter.

1 Trinos, 1918 N Main St, ☏ +1 509-476-9151. Mexican family/casual restaurant, giant margaritas, beer. (updated Jun 2023) 2 Hometown Pizza, 1315 Main St, ☏ +1 509-476-2410. Pizza and pasta. (updated Jun 2023)

Sleep

1 Eden Valley Guest Ranch, 31 Eden Valley Ln, ☏ +1 509 485-4002, [email protected]. $85/490 (Nightly/Weekly). 2 Veranda Beach Resort, 299 East Lake Rd, ☏ +1 509 476-4000. An 800 acre family beach resort on the shores of Lake Osoyoos with over a mile of pristine beach. Private 2, 3 or 4 bedroom cottages. Pet friendly accommodation available. Globe At The Beach (9AM-9PM, +1 509 476-0815) is a contemporary beach side restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner with local ingredients and fine dining in a casual setting. Starts at $179 a night for a private cottage.