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PRINCETON B.C.


Princeton is a picturesque town located in the Similkameen region of southern British Columbia, Canada. It lies at the confluence of the Tulameen and Similkameen Rivers, just east of the Cascade Mountains. The community's small town charm makes it a friendly, easy going vibe for a slower paced lifestyle. The community offers a diverse economy for plenty of job opportunities, with well-equipped schools, parks and programs that's perfect for families.  

The area offers fabulous outdoor recreation year round. In the summer, water skiing and swimming at Missezula or Tulameen's Otter Lake are popular activities. There is excellent fishing in at least 47 nearby lakes including Otter, Chain, Link and Osprey Lakes, and in the Similkameen or Tulameen rivers. Both rivers are also excellent for tubing, paddling or gold panning. Nearby Manning Park and Cathedral Provincial Parks offer excellent hiking opportunities with stunning vistas and viewpoints of the North Western Cascade Mountain Range.
Bromley Rock, located about 20kms east, is a popular rest stop and just one of many surrounding provincial campgrounds. The Trans Canada Trail offers miles and miles of cycling, hiking, cross-country skiing and horse-back riding while the town's 18 hole golf course offers open fairways and challenging elevated terrain is a must visit for any golfer.

In the winter, there's plenty of snow in the surrounding mountains for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Manning Park and Apex Mountain are both popular ski resorts and are easily accessible by car.

The town's origins date back to 1859 during the Similkameen gold rush, Princeton has since become the center of the Similkameen Valley. Rich in mining, forestry, agriculture and ranching, it provides the foundation for the town's economy. Tourism has gained popularity because of the area's close proximity to the Okanagan and Lower Mainland cities-- attracting weekend warriors and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

The historic towns of Coalmont, Tulameen and Hedley are located in a nearby radius of Princeton and can be explored for evidence of their coal and gold mining pasts.


Princeton is easily accessible by car via Highway 5a North or Highway 3, The scenic east/west highway corridor that links the lower mainland through Manning Park and to the southern gateway of the South Okanagan. This strategic location places Princeton within a beautiful natural setting, surrounded by mountains and rivers, offering a tranquil and scenic environment.

Princeton is approximately 133 kilometers (83 miles) east of Hope, 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of Merritt, and 67 kilometers (42 miles) northwest of Keremeos. 

Camping & RVing at Manning Park
Riverside ATVing overlooking the Trans Canada Trail (KVR)
Relaxing at the Similkameen River
Beautiful landscapes while hiking the Cascades at Manning Park

QUICK FACTS

Population:  2,894 (2021 Census)
Area:  10.24 km²
Average Snowfall:
(Nov - March): 28.4 cm per month
Average Precipitation:  29.8mm / month
Website:  www.Princeton.ca
VISITOR INFORMATION:
Town Hall

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO

  1. Get some mud on your tires biking the China Ridge Trails, the Trans Canada Trail or at nearby Manning Park
  2. Watch birds and roaming wildlife meandering the trails at Swan Lake Bird Sanctuary
  3. Discover Princeton's storied past at the Princeton Museum
  4. Perfect your golf game at Princeton's excellent 18 hole golf course
  5. Absorb the rich arts and cultural community at celebrated events including the Traditional Music Festival and the Pro Rodeo
  6. Shop local at boutiques and shops that offer one-of-a-kind creations and small town hospitality
  7. Hike in the footsteps of history on 160 kms of BC heritage trails in the mountains surrounding Princeton
  8. Fish the numerous lakes and rivers for trout
  9. Float the Tulameen and Similkameen Rivers by canoe, kayak or tube
  10. Enjoy Princeton's snowy backcountry for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling

TOP 10 REASONS TO MOVE HERE

  1. Quiet & Relaxed Atmosphere
  2. Low Crime Rate
  3. Healthy Outdoor Lifestyle
  4. Affordable Housing
  5. Friendly People
  6. Nature Right Out Your Backdoor
  7. Shortest Commute Time Ever
  8. Rain? What Rain?
  9. Fresh Water
  10. Clean Air

SHOPPING AMENITIES

Princeton offers a variety of familiar stores, shops, financial institutions and numerous boutique sidewalk shops for a unique shopping experience including:

  • Save On Foods
  • Fields
  • Work & Play Clothing
  • Home Hardware
  • Home Hardware Building Supplies
  • Lordco
  • Pharmasave
  • CIBC
  • Valley First CU

Princeton offers several benefits that make it an attractive place to call home:


Affordable Cost of Living
Princeton boasts a lower cost of living compared to many other parts of British Columbia. The real estate market has been stable, with a mix of older homes and newer developments. Housing costs, in particular, are relatively lower, making it an affordable option for families and individuals compared to the lower mainland or Okanagan valley.

Natural Beauty and Outdoor Activities
Surrounded by the Cascade Mountains and located at the confluence of the Tulameen and Similkameen Rivers, Princeton offers stunning natural scenery. Residents can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities year-round, including hiking, biking, fishing, and skiing.

Strong Sense of Community
Princeton is known for its friendly and welcoming community. The town hosts numerous events and activities throughout the year, fostering a strong sense of belonging and community spirit. Rich History and CultureThe town has a rich history, which is celebrated through local museums, historical sites, and cultural events. This provides residents with a deep sense of connection to the area’s past.

Peaceful and Relaxed Lifestyle
Princeton offers a slower pace of life compared to larger cities. This peaceful and relaxed environment is ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a more tranquil lifestyle.

Accessibility
Despite its small-town charm, Princeton is conveniently located at the junction of BC Highway 3 and Highway 5A, making it easily accessible to larger cities like Vancouver, Kelowna and Kamloops for those occasional big-city needs and for friends and family to visit.

Economic Opportunities
The local economy is diverse, with opportunities in forestry, mining, tourism, agriculture, and more. This variety provides residents with multiple employment options.

Family-Friendly Environment
With low crime, good schools, parks, and recreational facilities, Princeton is a great place to raise a family. The town’s safe and supportive environment ensures a high quality of life for children and adults alike.

PRINCETON GENERAL HOSPITAL



This level 1 Community General Hospital provides a range of essential healthcare services, including acute care, laboratory services, and a 24-hour emergency department. Situated southwest of Penticton, the hospital is a vital healthcare resource for the local community, ensuring residents have access to necessary medical care and support. The hospital’s commitment to patient care and its comprehensive services make it an integral part of the healthcare infrastructure in the region.

PARKS & RECREATION


Princeton BC Town Square

Princeton offers a variety of park space within town limits. Veterans Square, Memorial Park (ball diamonds), bike parks, a skateboard park, a splash park, playgrounds and green spaces can all be enjoyed throughout the town. The Town's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services encourages everyone to lead an active and healthy lifestyle in Princeton and surrounding areas. Families and residents of all ages are welcome to enjoy the variety of programs, clubs, events, and facilities that our department or local organizations have to offer in our community. A free leisure guide is available to help you find your perfect activity. Parks are available for special occasions, tournaments, and league play.

Because of the Valley's deep history, there are numerous gold trails and ghost towns to read about and explore. They can be experienced by climbing the stairs along steep cliffs and deep tunnels of Hedley's gold mines, quading the old coal tram lines in Coalmont's mountains, or exploring the rivers and rail tunnels of the popular Trans-Canada Trail.

Princeton Baseball Field

Pines Memorial Park: is the perfect spot for active families to enjoy a number of sports and activities. The park includes three baseball diamonds with grandstand seating, a concession facility and bathrooms with showers. Other facilities in the park include tennis courts, a public outdoor pool, beach volleyball courts, and a playground.




Veteran's Square: Located right in the center of downtown, Veteran's Park features a large gazebo, benches, picnic tables and a fountain that is centered around Veteran's Cenotaph. This beautiful green space is surrounded by the library, post office, legion hall, town hall and multiple boutique shops. For families, the Rotary Splash Park is a great spot to gather and play, located downtown on Lime Street next to the Tulameen River. It features a playground, picnic tables and washroom facilities.

Regional Library
The Okanagan Regional Library Princeton branch moved to its current and expanded location in 2010. Established in 1936, the ORL serves over 360,000 people across an area covering 59,600 square kilometres through 29 branches. The ORL offers various services online through their website. 

EDUCATION



Princeton offers a supportive and enriching educational environment for its students. The town is part of School District 58 Nicola-Similkameen, which is dedicated to fostering personal excellence and lifelong learning.

Elementary Schools
John Allison Elementary: Located in the Allison Flats at the end of Corina Ave. 
Catering to students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 and offering the "Strong Start" program for toddles. John Allison Elementary focuses on creating a nurturing and engaging learning atmosphere.

Vermilion Forks Elementary: Serving Grades 4 to 7, Vermilion Forks Elementary is located on the 3rd Bench and emphasizes intellectual, social, and emotional development, preparing students for the transition to secondary education.

Secondary Education
Princeton Secondary School: Known as the home of the Rapids, Princeton Secondary School accommodates students from Grades 8 to 12. The school offers a diverse range of programs, including athletics, trades, and fine arts, ensuring a well-rounded education. Additionally, The Bridge program supports adult learners who are completing their high school education.

Special Programs and Services
Aboriginal Education: The district is proud to serve students from local Bands and the Métis Nation, providing culturally relevant education and support.

French Immersion: Although primarily offered in Merritt, the French Immersion program encourages students to become proficient in both French and English, enhancing their bilingual capabilities.

Princeton’s schools are committed to creating a safe, caring, and motivating environment for all students. With a focus on intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development, the educational institutions in Princeton are well-equipped to prepare students for future success. For more detailed information, you can visit the School District 58 Nicola-Similkameen website or the Princeton Secondary School website


RESTAURANTS / BARS / COFFEE HOUSES

Princeton offers diverse options for eating. Whether it's fine dining for the evening or a quick bite at the drive through, choices range from Japanese, Chinese, Italian and Greek cuisines or one of many fine Canadian-style family restaurants, smokehouses, pubs or coffee houses. National chain fast food restaurants are easily visible along Highway 3 and include A&W, Dairy Queen, Subway and Booster Juice.

Vermillion Avenue Princeton

ARTS & CULTURE


Riverside Community Center

Riverside Community Centre: is a repurposed retired school that has developed into a unique art, culture, wellness and recreational space for the community to enjoy. In 2008 Riverside Centre opened its doors to its new community performing arts theatre. On weekends, the centre also hosts movies, with big sound on a large screen,  showing a variety of pre-released movies for families, youth and adults. The Princeton Rotary Club hosts fundraising events throughout the year. One recipient of this fundraising went towards the renovation of  a classroom into a kitchen and concession space that benefits the entire community. This space is used for Dinner Theatre Productions, cooking programs for children and adults, weddings, seminars and more.

Click here for Theatre/Centre information and bookings or contact the community recreation & cultural coordinator at 250-295-6067
ATVing around Princeton BC
Horseback riding in Princeton BC
Camping along the Similkameen River
Skiing and Snowboarding in Manning Park
PRINCETON REGIONAL AIRPORT (CYDC)
Princeton Regional Airport

The Princeton Regional Airport (CYDC) consists of a 3,932 foot x 75 foot runway, apron, automated fuel dispensing (100 Avgas and Jet A), modern terminal building, aircraft parking (with tie downs), private hangar space and commercial buildings. The airport is only 2 minutes from downtown Princeton via an onsite courtesy car.

153 Airport Rd Princeton, BC V0X 1W0
(250) 295-3105

Airport ICAO Code: CYDC
Longitude/Latitude: W 120° 30' 41.00"/N 49° 28' 05.00" -120.511389/49.468056
Elevation: 2298 ft / 700.43 m
Location: Princeton, British Columbia, Canada(www.PrincetonAirPort.ca)
Magnetic Variation: E 17°27.5' (2008-04)

More information: www.Airport-Data.com

Aerial view of Princeton BC

HISTORY
Historic Downtown Princeton BC

In the early 1800s the town was called Vermillion Forks by the fur traders travelling the Hudson Bay’s Brigade Trail from the west coast to the interior of BC. In 1860 the name was changed to Princetown by Governor James Douglas, in honour of the Prince of Wales who was visiting that year.

Long before the arrival of the first white settler to the area, the land at the confluence of the Similkameen and Tulameen Rivers was inhabited by the Indian nations of the area. Several miles up the Tulameen are the Vermillion Bluffs, the source of the highly prized red ochre used for trading and face painting by many different Indian nations.

The first white settler to the area was John Fall Allison who came seeking information for Governor Douglas. Not long after arriving, Allison built a cattle ranch where the town is now located. The years 1909 and 1916 brought the Great Northern Railway and the Canadian Pacific Railway to Princeton, another link to the Coast and Interior. Princeton was incorporated as a village in 1951, and as a town in 1978.

Historical sites in the area include Granite Creek town site, founded by Johnny Chance when he stopped here for a drink of water and discovered gold nuggets lying at the bottom of the creek, Blakeburn, the home of an underground coal mine in the early 1900s, Coalmont, named after the coal deposits mined after the gold at Granite Creek ran out, Tulameen, originally known as Otter Flats, Allenby, a mining town that received it's economic riches by mining ore from Copper Mountain, and Hedley, site of famous Nickel Plate Mountain. You can also meander along the Historic Walk around downtown Princeton, a centre for mining in the old days, and discover a bit about the town’s history and heritage, with a short story about each site.
TRANS CANADA TRAIL
Trans Canada Train Trestle

The Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail, part of the Trans Canada trail system, follows the Tulameen River through a colourful rock canyon, then across high range and forest. Princeton sits at the mid-point of the KVR Subdivision of the trail and is also the lowest point both ways. The Vermilion Trails Society maintains over 100 kilometres of urban and rural trail system on the KVR including the 5 kilometre paved and lit section that goes right through Princeton.
ROCK RIDGE CANYON
Rock Ridge Canyon

Rock Ridge Canyon is a year-round Conference and Retreat Centre, set in a breathtaking mountain valley near Princeton. Rock Ridge Canyon is also available for groups wishing to host retreats, meetings, conferences and camps. This exceptionally well-serviced facility provides a venue that will surely provide endless fun, as well as a retreat from the busyness and stress of daily routines.
TULAMEEN/SIMILKAMEEN RIVERS
Convergence of the Tulameen and Similkameen Rivers

Both rivers originate in Manning Provincial Park. The Similkameen flows from the east through East Gate and Tulameen from the north, passing Tulameen BC. It is the only place in the world where both gold and platinum can be found alongside each other, however all significant deposits have been mined. The rivers join at Princeton, then cross into Washington state near Oroville WA.
RECREATIONAL TOURISM
The recreational communities of Tulameen, Coalmont, Missezula Lake, Allison Lake, Bankeir and East Gate are favoured because of their diverse 4 season climate. The fresh lakes and clean air are drawing in tourists looking for an active outdoor lifestyle. 

Some popular activities include: X-country skiing or mountain biking the China Ridge Trails, boating on Missezula, Otter or Allison Lakes, and ATVing or snowmobiling the seemingly endless logging roads, trails and alpine mountains.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Princeton BC Airport and Fun Event
Princeton is home to an eclectic mix of community events presented by dedicated community organizations. Here's a snapshot of the many events and the organizations that organize them.
SOCIAL GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS
Fall Fair Event at Princeton Exhibition Grounds
Princeton has plenty of social groups and cultural organizations to join, volunteer and make friends.
JANUARY
Omelette Ski & Snowshoe (China Ridge)
FEBRUARY
Men's Curling Bonspiel
Family Day Festivities
Rotary Wine Festival
Women's Bonspiel
Bear Trap Telemark Challenge (Manning Park)
MARCH
Cascade Cup Classic (Manning Park)
Spring Fest (Manning Park)
Adult Charity Hockey Tournament
APRIL
Diamond Dinner
MAY
Princeton Rodeo
Copper Mountain Mining Day
Crimson Tine Theatre Play
JUNE
Rotary Charity Golf Tournament
Baptist Church Kids Carnival
JULY
Canada Day Celebrations
Auto Show & Shine
Ball Busters Slo-Pitch Tournament
Legion Annual Golf Tounament
AUGUST
Tulameen Family Daze (Long Weekend)
Legion Annual Fishing Derby 
Traditional Music Festival 

SEPTEMBER
Motorsports Weekend (Labour Day)
Agricultural Fall Fair
Regional Art Show 
OCTOBER
Halloween Fun Festival 
NOVEMBER
Rememberance Day Ceromony (Nov 11)
Small Business Trade Fair
Christmas Light Up
DECEMBER
Crimson Tine X-Mas Theatre Play
Legion X-Mas Eve Dance
CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
Exhibition Grounds
Bunchgrass Quilters
China Ridge Trails
Princeton Community Arts Council
Princeton Concert Society
Princeton and District Fall Fair Association
Princeton Exhibition Association
Princeton Fish And Game Association
Princeton Garden Club
Princeton and District Museum and Archives
Princeton Fly Tying Guild
Princeton Lion's Club
Princeton Rodeo Club
Princeton Traditional Music Society
Rotary Club of Princeton
Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists
FAMILY & KIDS
Princeton Splash Park
Strong Start
Camp Tulahead
Family Fun Carnival
Soccer Camp
Basketball Camp (Badlands)
Figure Skating
Crimson Tine Players
Community Band
Little Britches Rodeo
Movie Nights
Princeton Mining Days
Local Attractions
Brown Bridge Swim Hole, Town Square park, Phifer's Fountain, Boutique Shopping, Veteran's Square Park, Two Rivers Park, China Ridge Trails, Bromley Rock provincial park, Similkameen & Tulameen Rivers, Area Lakes, Trans Canada Trail, Princeton Golf Course, Princeton Museum, Traditional Music Festival, Manning Park Ski Resort, Apex Ski Resort, Rock Ridge Canyon Resort, Ochre Bluffs,etc.

Major Employers
Weyerhaeuser Lumber Mill, Hudbay Minerals at Copper Mountain Mine, Drax Pellet Mill, BC Green, Princeton Post & Rail Ltd., Princeton Wood Preservers, CJM Concrete Ready Mix, Firemaster Firewood Products, Princeton General Hospital, Save On Foods, Shoppers Drug Mart, Home Hardware, CIBC, Valley First Credit Union, Fields, Home Hardware Building Supplies

HOMES FOR SALE IN PRINCETON
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224 Bridge St. PO Box 880  Princeton,  BC  V0X 1W0 

Phone: 250-295-1990

lee.mowry@century21.ca