Falkland

Rodeo country in the heart of the Okanagan highlands — a small ranching community with big western spirit.

Falkland is a small ranching community in the Okanagan highlands, sitting on Highway 97 between Vernon and Kamloops in a valley of rolling grasslands and ponderosa pine forests. It is the kind of place that most travellers pass through without stopping — and those who do stop discover a genuine piece of BC's ranching heritage that has changed little in decades. The community is best known for the Falkland Stampede, one of the oldest and most authentic rodeos in BC. Held every May long weekend since 1919, the stampede draws competitors and spectators from across the province for a weekend of bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping, and the full range of traditional rodeo events. It is a genuine community celebration that reflects the ranching culture that has defined this valley for over a century. The surrounding landscape is beautiful in a quiet, understated way — rolling hills covered in bunchgrass and ponderosa pine, with the Salmon River winding through the valley floor. The area is excellent for wildlife viewing, with mule deer, coyotes, and raptors commonly seen, and the river offers good fishing for rainbow trout. Falkland sits at the junction of Highway 97 and the road to Salmon Arm and the Shuswap, making it a natural stopping point for travellers moving between the Okanagan and the Thompson-Shuswap region. The local pub and diner are welcoming stops for road trippers, and the community's genuine western character makes it a refreshing contrast to the more tourist-oriented communities of the Okanagan.