Merritt
“Welcome back and welcome home to Bass Coast. The City of Merritt and the beautiful Nicola Valley have missed you. Welcome all who have come from all over Canada and the world to one of the premier events in this country. Please feel free to make your way to our small and friendly city where you will be greeted warmly by our citizens and many shopkeepers who are ready, willing, and able to serve you and make your experience here one you will not forget.
It is always an honour to host this great event and I cannot say enough about the event organizers and the commitment they make to our city, both financially as well as culturally. Let your hair down, embrace the ambiance of the Bass Coast experience and most of all have fun. Welcome home."
Mike Goetz, Mayor, City of Merritt
Welcome To Merritt
Below you will find some helpful links as to where you can rest your head in Merritt, grab a bite to eat and discover the hidden gems of our shopping district.
Known as a regional event destination, Merritt is proud to welcome diverse arts, cultural, and social events. With a long history of major outdoor music festivals, the city celebrates arts and culture with a walk of stars and dozens of murals, showcasing musical performers throughout downtown Merritt. The convenience of Merritt being so close to the festival grounds offers visitors everything they need to have a great time in the Nicola Valley.
Hunger Calls
Looking for a place to eat? We got you covered with over 30 restaurants in Merritt to help feed the hunger. Check out the list below to see all the great places to grab a bite.
Bass Coast Donates $10,000 To Merritt Bike Trail
Bass Coast donated $10,000 to support upgrades to Ridge Trail on Merritt's Iron Mountain.
Rest Your Head
Looking for offsite accommodations? There are many options ranging from two brand new hotels to camping in the area. Check out “Where to Stay” to see local hotel and motel accommodations.
There are also many camping options around Merritt and throughout the Thompson-Nicola Valley. In town, the Claybanks RV Park is set to reopen in 2025. Between town and the festival grounds, there is Moon Shadows campground. Within a 30 minute drive there are multiple camping options, including Monck Provincial Park and the visually stunning Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park. More BC Parks can be found at bcparks.ca.
There are also countless, nearby, and somewhat more rugged, forestry camping options through Sites and Trails BC website. Search for Merritt in the Southern Interior’s Cascades District to find nearly 80 camping options. Marquart Lake and Lundbom Lake just east of Merritt are the closest options.
Forget Something?
You might want to take home a souvenir to remind you of the festival. You never know what gems you might find as well when you are souvenir hunting. Take a stroll through the variety of retail stores in Merritt.
Forgot to grab the snacks for camping? No worries, pick them up when you arrive. Grocery Stores in Merritt include:
- Save On Foods
- Extra Foods
- Walmart
- A variety of specialty foods, like the Local Butcher, and convenience stores throughout Merritt
- Explore Retail Opportunities
Explore The City Of Merritt
Looking for recommendations of what to do in Merritt? Below are our top 3 suggestions of things to do outside of the festival when you are in Merritt.
Explore the Town of Merritt
Visit the City of Merritt and learn why Bass Coast calls Merritt BC home.
- Visit the historic Baillie House and Visitor Information Centre (2202 Voght Street) and pick up information and maps on Merritt.
- Visit the Nicola Valley Museum and Archives.
- Explore the Nicola Valley Art Gallery and pick up some gifts from local artists
- Participate in a drop-in activity at the Merritt Civic Centre, or the Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre, or the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
- Discover some of the events and activities organized by the City and community partners.
- Venture throughout downtown Merritt to see the Walk of Stars handprints and murals. Stop in at a local store to pick up a souvenir. Then grab a bite or a beverage at a local restaurant, pub or micro brewery.
- Take a short trek up to the Viewpoint above Norgaard’s at the far west end of town:
- Explore other local attractions. Some of the major attractions to the area include: dozens of lakes for swimming, boating, and fishing, golf courses, car races and car shows, community days, street markets, horseback riding, ATV trails, mountain biking trails, hiking trails.
- A few nearby highlights include: the historic Quilchena Hotel (20 minutes east of Merritt) and Monck Provincial Park on Nicola Lake.
Visit Experience Merritt
Visit MERRITT.CA/VISITOR
Wondering what is happening in town during the Bass Coast weekend? No worries we got you covered with Merritt’s Community Calendar. A single events calendar showcasing events in Merritt and the Nicola Valley. We like to think of it as the best way to meet the locals!