Merritt

The Country Music Capital of Canada — where the Nicola Valley sings.

Merritt is one of BC's most distinctive small cities, a ranching and resource town in the Nicola Valley that has embraced its identity as the Country Music Capital of Canada with genuine enthusiasm. The city's Walk of Stars honours Canadian country music legends, and the Merritt Mountain Music Festival — one of the largest country music festivals in Canada — draws tens of thousands of fans to the valley every summer. The Nicola Valley is classic BC ranch country — rolling grasslands, sagebrush hills, and small lakes that have supported cattle ranching since the 1860s. The Quilchena Hotel, a beautifully preserved heritage property on Nicola Lake, has been welcoming guests since 1908 and is one of the most atmospheric historic hotels in BC. Nicola Lake itself is excellent for fishing and water sports throughout the summer. Merritt sits at the junction of the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) and Highway 97C, making it a natural stopping point for travellers between Vancouver and the Interior. The city has good services, a welcoming character, and a landscape that rewards those who take the time to explore the back roads of the Nicola Valley.