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Similkameen Valley - Yellow blossoms in a field of Tall Tumble Mustard

A view north west along the valley from Highway 3 - the bright yellow blossoms are Tall Tumble Mustard (Sisymbrium Altissimum) a red hay barn breaks up the rolling wave of yellow flowers.

The community was named for R.L. Cawston, a pioneer rancher and magistrate who settled in the area in the 1800s. Nearby was the site of the original Hudson's Bay Company store. Cawston is located on Highway 3 (the Crowsnest Highway) nearby communities are Keremeos (8 km to the West), Osoyoos (36 km to the East), and Penticton (50 km to the North).

Today, Cawston is a busy agricultural center. The town has two fruit packing plants, the newest being built strictly for organic produce - a fast-growing segment of the area's agricultural economy. There are many apple and soft fruit orchards throughout the Cawston area. In recent years, vineyards and wineries have become an important part of the local economy. The rural nature of this community has also made it a popular home to horse ranches, hobby farms and nature enthusiasts. There are many hiking trails in the area covering almost every terrain possible, from cactus and sagebrush desert to sub-alpine meadows.