We had been meaning to check out the Desert Centre for a couple of years and finally did it - and are very glad we did. It's small (and not expensive to enter), with a little interpretive centre filled with taxidermy animals native to the area, and information about them. There's a small desert "garden" to walk through beside the interpretive centre, with names of the vegetation also native to the area. The highlight for sure is the 1.5 km boardwalk that loops through the conservation area. We took the booklet and did our own tour, but they also offer guided tours, at no extra cost. We happened on one in progress and learned a few things from the guide, and then went on our way. The Centre is working hard to conserve things that are very threatened by loss of habitat due to increased housing, and even the wineries that remove the vegetation that the birds and animals need to survive. We would recommend this visit very much.

There are currently only self guided tours available. Using the booklet you’re given at the Centre building, you start your tour here to see the species of animals that live in the desert. Outside, follow the boardwalk through the desert and stop at the numbered rocks and read the description in the guidebook. If we hadn’t done so, we would have missed the burrowing owl hole! There’s so much to look for if you read the guide, several covered stands and benches to get out of the hot sun, a washroom at the Centre building, plenty of parking. It took us about an hour to walk and stop. Bring water if it’s hot and it does get hot here. Check their hours as they close early. For $8 a person it’s certainly a good change of pace from the wineries, water and orchards.

Following a visit to the Nk’Mip Cultural Centre, we made our way to the Osoyoos Desert Centre to experience the beautiful boardwalk we’d seen in many a propaganda photo. We arrived just after 4PM, with the Centre closing at 4:30PM; however, the host was gracious enough to not only permit us entry, but he also encouraged us to take out time on the boardwalk. That, right there, is customer service at its absolute finest! In any event, we paid the small admission (I think it was about $7 each), were given an interpretive booklet, and started our trek on the 1.5km long boardwalk. Because we were conscious of the time, we didn’t doddle too much and moved at a slightly accelerated pace. Still, we did take time to ponder some of the brief write-ups; in particular, those that detailed the unique desert ecosystem we were privileged to see. By the end of our walk – just under 30 minutes – we left with a solid appreciation for the work being done to restore and conserve Canada’s fragile “pocket desert.” Outside of a bunny at the trailhead, we did not encounter any wildlife; however, our host – I forget his name – did advise that some had spotted a bear just a few days prior. He also advised us that they were quite elated because funding had recently been obtained to replace the aging boardwalk, which had been built in 1999. Bravo! I’d say the Desert Centre was my favourite stop in Osoyoos. While the actual Centre is nothing more than a trailer, the boardwalk and its surrounding scenery makes the small admission price more than worth it. As such, this attraction is highly recommended!