Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 28, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Field Notes • Canada Places

Kamloops

Kamloops is a city in south-central British Columbia, Canada, located at the confluence of the North and South Thompson rivers.

Updated July 28, 20261 min readCited sources

Kamloops is a city in south-central British Columbia at the confluence of the North and South Thompson rivers. It is known as Canada's Tournament Capital and a hub for outdoor recreation.

What it is

Kamloops is the largest city in the Thompson Country region of British Columbia's interior. Its location at the meeting of two major rivers and near Kamloops Lake contributes to a dry landscape that supports year-round outdoor activities.

Why it matters

The city serves as a commercial and service centre for the surrounding region. It is promoted nationally as the Tournament Capital of Canada, hosting numerous sports events each year, which draws visitors and supports the local economy.

Key details

Kamloops had an estimated population of 109,633 in 2025, making it the twelfth largest municipality in British Columbia. It is especially recognized for mountain biking, hiking, and an extensive trail network.

In short

  • Kamloops is the largest city in Thompson Country, British Columbia.
  • It is promoted as Canada's Tournament Capital, hosting many sports events annually.
  • Outdoor recreation like mountain biking and hiking is a key draw.
  • The 2025 population estimate is 109,633.
Canadian angle

Kamloops is a major city in British Columbia’s interior and is notable nationally as Canada’s Tournament Capital.

Quick questions

What is Kamloops known for?
Kamloops is best known as Canada's Tournament Capital and for outdoor recreation such as mountain biking, hiking, and trail activities.
What is the population of Kamloops?
Kamloops had a 2025 population estimate of 109,633.
What is there to do in Kamloops?
Popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, skiing nearby, visiting parks and trails, and attending sports tournaments.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamloops
    Supports: Location, regional role, population estimate, Tournament Capital status, mountain biking and outdoor recreation.
  2. City of Kamloops — https://www.kamloops.ca/our-community/about-kamloops
    Supports: City description, accessibility, sports host-centre role, arts community.
  3. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/kamloops
    Supports: Kamloops as a trade and distribution centre in the southern British Columbia interior.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Kamloops
    Supports: Geographic setting, economic role, and location in southern British Columbia.
  5. Wikivoyage — https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kamloops
    Supports: Tourism activities, population context, and examples of things to do.
  6. Kiddle — https://kids.kiddle.co/Kamloops
    Supports: 2021 census population and common attractions; secondary corroboration only.