Fall Activities in Pemberton
It’s no secret that the fall is a great time to visit Pemberton. Not only are there fewer crowds, but as the rain arrives after a gruelling hot summer and the leaves start to change, you will find yourself surrounded by spectacular scenery. Here is a list of some of the things Pemberton has to offer in the fall.
U-Pick Pumpkin Patch
Is there anything that gives you the feels more than heading to a pumpkin patch on a crisp autumn day? Right here in Pemberton, you can do just that at the stunning North Arm Farm, starting in October.
An activity for the whole family, you can either head out into the field and pick your own straight-from-the-patch pumpkin or find the perfect per-picked one in the barn. You can choose from a wide selection of gourds, pumpkins, and winter squash, as well as farm produce and baked goodies.
PC: North Arm Farm
Hit the Mountain Bike Trails
Pemberton is a haven for mountain bike enthusiasts with trails suitable for all abilities and a mixture of XC, Singletrack and Downhill. Classics include the Mile One Lake Loop, Fat Tug and Bob Gnarly, to name a few. Many of the Pemberton trails are known for their steepness, and with the classic dry summers, they are often loose, and therefore, dusty. Fall usually means the rain has arrived in droves, making the ground tacky and creating ideal conditions for riders to push themselves. Coupled with the fewer crowds, you can look forward to having the trails primarily to yourself; plus, there’s something special about riding through the stunning browns, yellows and orange colours of the fallen leaves.
Tee Up at the Golf Course
This is your last chance to practice your golf swing before putting your clubs away for winter. Big Sky Golf, situated at the base of the striking Mount Currie, was ranked #24 in the “Top 100 Best Golf Courses” in Canada by SCOREGolf 2020 and the “Top 30 of the Best Golf Courses in Canada” by Golf Digest 2019/2020. These top-tier facilities, the peacefulness, and the course’s location make it a must-play for golfers of all abilities.
In the fall months, you can expect quieter greens and discounted rates. Make sure to check out Fescues Restaurant, which hosts a delicious menu for lunch and dinner, including the local’s favourite dish: fish and chips.
Pemberton Fishing at its Finest
Pemberton is often regarded as one of the best places to fish on the West Coast of Canada. It is home to several fish species, including steelhead trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, bull trout, dolly varden, and even white sturgeon. When it comes to Salmon, you can see five different types: Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Chum and Pink. Local company Pemberton Fish Finder offers guided tours for river, lake and high alpine lake fishing.
What makes the fall the ideal fishing time? Between August and October, there is a wide variety of fish in the waters. According to Pemberton Fish Finder, these months see sturgeon fishing at its best, while big bull trout are in spawn mode between the last week of July to mid-September, and coho salmon start showing up in early September. It is not uncommon to see 30 to 40 fish a day when fishing the local streams and rivers. The lakes have excellent kokanee fishing this time of year, and the smaller alpine lakes are clear of ice, making the fish very active feeders on nymphs and dry flies. You can expect fly fishing for salmon to be as good as it gets this time of year, but be warned you might want to prepare with arm exercises as these fish can pull – coho salmon can weigh as much as 25 Lbs in Pemberton!
The Pemberton Fish Finder provides quality year-round fishing charters in Pemberton and the surrounding areas. No one offers more local knowledge, and their catch-a-fish guarantee confirms your fishing experience will be one you won’t forget! Whether you’re planning a fly fishing excursion, lake day or heli-fishing experience, they have you covered.
Immerse Yourself in the Museum
Did you know that Port Pemberton was founded as a stopping point on the historic Harrison-Lillooet gold rush trail over 160 years ago? You can learn all about the rich history of the area at Pemberton’s Museum, which collects, preserves and displays artifacts connected with the human history of Pemberton and the District, consisting of both public and private records generated by residents and organizations. These include personal records that reflect the area’s social, political, and economic life. You can learn more on a guided tour open seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm.
Pemberton’s Craft Beer Excellence
According to BC Ale Trail, BC Brewers win about one-third of all annual Canadian Brewing Awards despite representing less than 20% of the country’s breweries. This alone is a reason to try the local craft beer in Pemberton, which hosts two incredible breweries; The Beer Farmers & Pemberton Brewing.
The Beer Farmers situated up the stunning Pemberton Meadows, although a bit of a drive out of Pemberton village, the scenery and, of course, the beer is well worth the journey. The brewery’s tasting room is open daily from 12 pm - 8 pm and shares a location with Laughing Crow Organics, a 4th generation family farm. After your brew, get lost in a maze of 100,000 sunflowers open until August 29 from 10 am - 7 pm. Don’t worry if you are reading after it’s finished; their Grand Majestic Pumpkin Patch is open daily in October from 10 am until 5 pm, until they run out of pumpkins. There is also a food truck on-site, so why not make an evening of it?
Head back into Pemberton village and over to Pemberton Brewing, tucked away in the Industrial Park. Here you can try several unique flavours in their tasting room or enjoy them on their four-season patio. You can also grab a pack of cold cans or fill up a growler to take away. This local’s favourite is a must-do when visiting Pemberton, plus you can usually expect local food trucks out front for a post, pre or mid-brew feed.
PC: Joern Rohde via Tourism Pemberton
Small brewers like these often only distribute within the province due to their local demand, so you will have to visit to try these delicious craft beers!
Pemberton Farmers Market
There are so many local goods to choose from within this incredible community it’s hard to get to them all. However, by visiting the local Pemberton Farmers Market, they are in one place for you. The market is on every Friday until October 29 from 3 pm to 6:30 pm, and there are both permanent and rotating vendors.
Permanent Vendors for 2021 include:
- 200 Degrees Bakery | 200degrees.ca
- Alpine Honey | alpinehoney.ca
- Blackwater Creek Orchard | blackwatercreekorchard.com
- Devine Gardens + Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Fort Berens | fortberens.ca
- Helmer’s Organic Farm | helmersorganic.com
- Lil’Wat Farm – Qwal̓ímak Nlep̓cálten | On Facebook
- Nidhi’s Cuisine | On Facebook
- Ogre Acres Farm | On Facebook
- Pemberton Meat Company | pembertonmeatcompany.com
- Stony Mountain Farm | stonymtnfarm.com
- Square Root Food Truck by Snowline Catering | On Instagram
- Seed to Culture | seedtoculture.ca
- Whistler Elixir | whistlerelixir.com
- Willowcraft Farm | On Facebook
Posted: Thursday, August 19, 2021