Hiking Trails and Provincial Parks of the Shuswap area.

Please comment below with your pictures and any stories or descriptions of your favourite Shuswap hiking and camping areas.

The beautiful area of the Shuswap is enjoyed by many. The Trans-Canada Highway runs near the southern shore of Shuswap Lake providing easy access to the area in which the parks are located. Turn off of the highway at Squilax, near Chase, to find these parks: Roderick Haig-Brown (5 km from the highway), Shuswap Lake Park (19 km) and Silver Beach (60 km). To locate Sunnybrae Provincial Park (6 km from Tappen) and Herald Provincial Park (13 km), take the road that begins at Tappen, near Salmon Arm. The Mara Provincial Park is located at the south end of its namesake lake on Route 97A, 12 km from Sicamous.

SKIHIST PROVINCIAL PARK
The Skihist Provincial Park is located north of Lytton on Highway 1, the historic Cariboo Wagon Road. The 68 site campground provides water, wood, toilets, a sani-station and a picnic area nearby. The surrounding area is a haven for the nature enthusiast with its wide array of bird and wildlife species. The Thompson River provides some of BC’s best whitewater.

SPAHATS CREEK PROVINCIAL FALLS
This 20 site park offers the visitor a chance to explore the area around Clearwater. Located about 16 km north of town, this is a good base camp to hike the nearby mountains or explore the areas outside the boundaries of Wells Gray Park. You’ll want to photograph Spahats Falls.

STAKE & McCONNELL LAKES PROVINCIAL RECREATION AREA
These waters are home to the famous Kamloops Rainbow Trout. This chain of small lakes provide great canoeing, swimming and hiking. Located about 35 km South of Kamloops on Highway 5, these is room for a dozen campsites.

STEIN VALLEY NLAKA’PAMUX HERITAGE PARK
The Stein Valley area has for centuries had a very special and spiritual meaning to the aboriginal people in this region, and has many unique pictographs and petroglyphs. The Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park is jointly managed by the provincial government and the Lytton Indian Band. To reach the Stein Valley from Vancouver, take the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1) that will take you to Lytton, located in the High Country Tourism region, and easy access. Or you can gain entry to part of the Stein Valley by taking Highway 99, the Sea to Sky Highway, from North Vancouver to the Pemberton Valley/ Mount Currie Area.

TUNKWA LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK
In 1966 Tunkwa and Leighton Lakes and the surrounding grasslands became Tunkwa Lake Provincial Park. A total of 5,100 hectares make up this the park area, which provides recreational opportunities including excellent fishing and protects the surrounding landscape. This provincial park is found 14.5 km (9 miles) north of Logan Lake.

WELLS GRAY PROVINCIAL PARK
The spectacular wilderness of Well Gray Provincial Park is over 520 000 hectares encompassing most of the Clearwater River watershed. The park is located 384 kilometres northeast of Vancouver. The main entrance to Wells Gray Provincial Park is near Clearwater which is 120 km northeast of Kamloops, although the Mahood Lake campground can be accessed from 100 Mile House. There are four campgrounds within the park, each with water, toilets and firewood provided. Picnic areas are located at various sites along the park road. Wilderness camping, hiking, fishing, and canoeing are popula

YARD CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK
The Yard Creek Provincial Park is located east of Sicamous on Highway 1. The campground provides 65 sites with water, wood and toilets nearby. A secluded picnic area is located nearby. Trails of varying difficulty and length lead the visitor to the parks scenic features.

Cinnemousun Narrows Provincial Park

Location: This park is accessible by water only; launch facilities are located throughout the Shuswap including at Shuswap Lake , Herald and Mara Provincial Parks. As well, privately-owned marinas and the towns of Sicamous, Chase, Salmon Arm and Canoe – all have boat launches.

Situated where the four “arms” of Shuswap Lake meet, this park has a camping area with several shelters and a fairly extensive beach. It is located in one of the most popular swimming, houseboating and water-skiing areas of British Columbia’s interior. Anglers take note: Shuswap Lake contains 19 species of fish.
ANSTEY ARM

Anstey Beach

Located at the north end of Anstey Arm there are five rustic campsites and a pit toilet. There is a large cedar and cottonwood forest at the mouth of the Anstey River. CAUTION! Shallow sandbars require a cautious approach. In late summer, boats cannot reach the shore. Do not beach boats for extended periods without compensating for dropping lake levels.

Anstey View

Extends north from Cinnemousun Narrows along the west side of Anstey Arm. There are five campsites and a pit toilet. Excellent view up Anstey Arm from this forested site. Accessible only by boat. The beach is a mix of sand to larger rocks.

Anstey-Hunakwa Protected Area

Location: The main access to the park is by boat to the north end of Anstey Arm on Shuswap Lake. There is a 3 km trail from the north end of Anstey Arm to the south end of Hunakwa Lake. The closest communities, towns and cities are Seymour Arm, Anglemont, Celista, Scotch Creek, Blind Bay, Eagle Bay, Sicamous, Mara Lake, Tappen, Sorrento and Salmon Arm.

Anstey-Hunakwa Protected Area includes a variety of landscapes at the north end of Shuswap Lake. It extends from the shore of the lake to alpine environments on mountain tops. There are extensive areas of old-growth forest in the Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir and Interior Cedar-Hemlock zones. Included in the park are two lakes that cannot be reached by road (a rarity in the Shuswap area) – Hunakwa Lake and Wright Lake. The north end of Anstey Arm is more accessible (but only by boat), and is valued for its recreational opportunities (sandy beaches) and salmon habitat.

Four Mile Creek

Located on the east side of Anstey Arm. There are seven wilderness campsites and a pit toilet. A creek, tiny bay and cedar hemlock forest make this site special. Accessible only by boat. The beach is a mix of sand to larger rocks.

Rendezvous Picnic Site

Located at the southern end of the side called Anstey Arm West. This location has small bays. There is a pit toilet, but not other facilities. Accessible only by boat. Beach is gravel.

Roberts Bay

Sheltered small beach area across from Anstey View. Sheltered bay with a sandy beach and a marked swimming area. A pit toilet, no fires permitted on the beach. CAUTION! Large offshore rocks at south end. This location is accessible only by boat.

Twin Bays

Located on west side of Anstey Arm, north of Anstey View. No facilities. Beach is a combination of gravel and larger rocks. Accessible only by boat.

Chase Memorial Park

Located at the end of 2nd Ave offers public boat launch, swimming area and bike trails.

Niskonlith Lake Prov. Park

8 km northwest of Hwy 1 from Chase

Park offers 30 campsites nestled in a lushly forested environment. Fish for Kamloops trout or hike on any of the many trails situated close to this park.

EAGLE VALLEY
Craigellachie Infopark (The Last Spike)

5094 Trans Canada Hwy East of Salmon Arm

Railway historical park, washrooms, gift shop

Eagle River Nature Park

Service road off Trans Canada Hwy East at Malakwa.

7 km of walking trails along the Eagle River, pit toilets and picnic tables.

FALKLAND AREA

Falkland & District Heritage Park & Museum

5657 Highway 97, Falkland, BC

Located East of the Falkland town site on Highway 97

Enjoy the natural beauty of the two acre park and picnic areas. Discover the history and lifestyles of area communities and pioneering families through visual displays.
MARA LAKE

Mara Point

Located on the west side of Mara Lake with gravel beaches. Pit toilets and no other facilities. Accessible only by boat.
NORTH SHUSWAP

Albas Falls

Located at the northwest end of Seymour Arm. Has road access to some parts. There is a small campground (5 sites and a pit toilet) south of Blueberry Creek which is boat-access only. An undeveloped camping area is found near the mouth of Celesta Creek. A trail that begins near Steamboat Bay follows Celesta Creek upstream approximately 1.5 km, then crosses the creek and returns to the lake. Noted for a series of beautiful waterfalls and some interesting features from early logging days. Bears are frequent visitors in this park.

CAUTION! This trail has some steep, rough sections with sharp drop-offs. Children should be closely supervised and pets kept on a leash. Serious injury and deaths have occurred in this area due to adjacent waterfalls, changing water levels, fast currents and cold water.

Beach Bay

Located on a south-facing point on the east side of Seymour Arm. No facilities provided. Wide sandy beach for picnicking. Accessible only by boat.

CAUTION! This area is subject to strong winds and is not safe for overnight moorage.

Cottonwood Beach

Located approximately 1/3 of the way up the east side of Seymour Arm. There is a small gravel beach. No facilities provided. Accessible only by boat.

Encounter Point

Located approximately 1/2 way up west side of Seymour Arm. There are five rustic sites and a pit toilet. Accessibly only by boat.

Fowler Point

Located at the northwest end of Seymour Arm. Small, sandy beach, with a pit toilet but no other facilities. Accessible only by boat.

Horseshoe Bay

Located at the northwest end of Shuswap Lake Main Arm, near Anglemont. There is a pit toilet located across the road at the east end of the park. There are no other facilities at this location but random camping is allowed. Safe anchorage. Caution! Watch for rocks off the point.

Imai Park
Location: Across from Shuswap Lake Provincial Park on Squilax-Anglemont Rd.
Ball diamonds

Nielsen Beach

Extends north from Cinnemousun Narrows along east side of Seymour Arm. Wide gravel beach. No facilities provided at this location. Accessible only by boat.

Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park

Location:  The park is located on both sides of the Adams River, between Adams Lake and Shuswap Lake. From Hwy #1 at Squilax, east of Kamloops, the access is 5 km on paved roads. Scotch Creek, Sorrento, Salmon Arm, Kamloops are the closest communities to this park.

This is a fascinating place to visit at any time of year, but particularly in early October during the run of the Adams River sockeye salmon. Every 4th year is a “dominant” run, with millions of fish to be seen (2006 and 2010 will be dominant runs). The Adams River Salmon Society coordinate the celebration known as the ‘Salute to the Sockeye’ during the dominant years. The following years are “sub-dominant” runs of sockeye: 2007, 2011. These years often have substantial returns of sockeye and offer excellent viewing opportunities. During the first three weeks of October in years where there isn’t a ‘dominant’ or ‘sub-dominant’ return, a smaller number of salmon begin their spawning cycle.

The best place to view spawning salmon will be in the channel next to the parking lot.

Note that this park does not offer any camping facilities whatsoever. The 26 km trail system is used for cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing in winter, for hiking and mountain biking in summer. In addition Huihill Creek was recently added to Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park as a result of recommendations made in the Kamloops Land and Resources Management Plan. It is now officially a portion of Roderick Haig-Brown Park.

Shuswap Lake Provincial Park – Day Use Only
Location: Squilax-Anglemont Rd., off Hwy. #1
The park is situated on the old delta of Scotch Creek, has one kilometer of sandy, pebble beach, and includes the whole of Copper Island. The park also offers a large grassy play area, an adventure playground, a large boat launch. and a self-guiding nature trail.

Boaters may wish to visit Copper Island, located two kilometres offshore. A 2.8 km hiking trail provides beautiful views of the area. Please note that camping and campfires are prohibited on the island.

Supplies, groceries, and many recreational opportunities including bumper boats, mini-golf driving range, go-carts, parasailing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, boat and jet-ski rentals are offered by near-by businesses.

Silver Beach Provincial Park

Location:  This park is accessible by road or water, and is situated at the north end of Seymour Arm of Shuswap Lake. By road, leave Highway #1 at Squilax. Drive approximately 83 km, the last 42 on gravel. Seymour Arm, Anglemont, Celista, Scotch Creek, Blind Bay, Eagle Bay, Sicamous, Mara Lake, Tappen, Sorrento and Salmon Arm are communities close to the park.

Silver Beach Provincial Park is located on the north end of Seymour Arm of Shuswap Lake, on the site of an historical gold rush town called Ogden City (now called Seymour Arm). The campground has sites located next to the beautiful sandy beach of the Seymour River estuary. The park provides destination camping for people arriving by boat, by vehicle (Forest Service road from Anglemont), or by ferry (from Sicamous).

Silver Beach provides the ideal summer holiday for those whose interests are swimming, house-boating, scuba-diving, fishing, water-skiing or just soaking up the sun. Anglers take note: Shuswap Lake contains 19 species of fish! Groceries and camping supplies are available locally.

St. Ives

Located at northwest end of Shuswap Lake Main Arm. Road access. Pit toilet at this location with no other facilities. There is a gravely beach in this location. The location can be accessed by both road and boat.

Two Mile Creek

Located approximately 2/3 of the way up the west side of Seymour Arm. There are five wilderness campsites in an attractive forested setting of Douglas fir, hemlock and birch. Pit toilet. Picnicking. Accessible only by boat.

Woods Landing

Located approximately 1/3 of the way up the west side of Seymour Arm. Small gravel beach with no facilities. Accessible only by boat.

Woods Landing South

Located just south of Woods Landing on the west side of Seymour Arm. No facilities. Accessible only by boat.

Wright Creek

Located on the east side of Seymour Arm, across from Encounter Point. A pit toilet is at this location but no other facilities are available. Gravel beach. Accessible only by boat.>
SALMON ARM

Aline Hill

Located on the northwest side of Salmon Arm. No beach or facilities. Accessible only by boat.

Blackburn Park
Location: Downtown Salmon Arm
Two soccer fields, 3 baseball diamonds, 3 softball diamonds & a large covered picnic shelter. Ideal for tournaments

Hermit Bay

Located on the northwest side of Salmon Arm and has a small gravel beach. Pit toilet.

Hungry Cove

Located on the northeast side of Salmon Arm this location has a small gravel beach. Pit toilet. Accessible only by boat.

Marble Point

Located just north of Hungry Cove on Salmon Arm. There are 16 wilderness campsites and a gravel beach. Pit toilets. Houseboats must not be beached between the signs east of the point during the period of July 1 until Labour Day. Unique marble outcroppings are visible from the lake. A pleasant trail through lush cedar hemlock, carpeted in deep moss, links the north and south camping area. Visitors can see an abandoned mine shaft, a relic from the past. Accessible only by boat.

McGuire Lake Park
Location: South West corner of McGuire Lake, Salmon Arm
Ideal setting for wedding pictures, picnics, walking & small festivals

Paradise Point

Located on the west side of Salmon Arm, near Herald Park. Pit toilet. Gravel Beach. Accessible only by boat.

Shuswap Lake East

Located at the northeast end of Salmon Arm, near Cinnemousun Narrows. Small sandy beach. No facilities. Accessible only by boat.

Tillis Beach

Located just north of Hermit Bay on the northwest side of Salmon Arm. No facilities at this location. Accessible only by boat.

William Baker Park
Location: Close to Canoe Beach in North Canoe – approx. 5 min. east of Salmon Arm.  Two adult sized competitive softball diamonds. Ideal for youth & adult tournamentsSICAMOUS

Channel Park

1138 Riverside Ave., Sicamous, BC

Washrooms, picnic tables & public government dock.

Finlayson Park
Location: Park Frontage Rd., Sicamous
Washrooms, baseball diamonds, horseshoe pits, curling rink, museum, recreation centre/arena & small fenced playground

Riverfront Nature Trails

Silver Sands Road, Sicamous

Follow red brick path on the east side of the Sicamous Sands Country Club building. Walking trails along the banks of the Eagle River

Sicamous Public Beach & Park

Silver Sands Road, end of Finlayson St, Sicamous

Washrooms, playground, volleyball court, picnic tables, sandy beach, footbridge over lagoon.

Sicamous Public Beach & Park

Silver Sands Road, end of Finlayson St, Sicamous

Washrooms, playground, volleyball court, picnic tables, sandy beach, footbridge over lagoon.

Yard Creek Provincial Park

15 km east of Sicamous on the Trans Canada Hwy

Phone: 250 836-3313

Roadside campground and day use area, with shaded camping and RV sites.

May to SeptemberSOUTH SHUSWAP

Herald Provincial Park

Location:  This park is located 14 km east of the Trans Canada Hwy. at Tappen, BC. It is on the west shore of the Salmon Arm of Shuswap Lake,

Herald Provincial Park is a popular destination campground and day-use area. The park covers 79 hectares of beautiful beach and forested uplands, and boasts a 119-site campground, boat launch and large day-use area. Swimming, fishing and bird-watching are popular activities, as is the self-guided nature walk to Margaret Falls. Just 14 kilometres from the Trans Canada Hwy along the western shore of the Salmon Arm of Shuswap Lake, Herald is a great spot to use as a base camp for visiting the many attractions of the Shuswap area

Sorrento/Blind Bay Community Park
Location: Just minutes from downtown Sorrento on Davidson Road, along Newsom Creek on 10 acres of beautiful parkland. 4 km of wooded nature trail.
4 ball diamonds, playing fields, soccer field, covered grandstand, outdoor rink, children’s playground, walking trails, tennis court & picnic shelter and washrooms.

Sunnybrae Provincial Park

Location:   On the north side of Salmon Arm, Shuswap Lake; 6 km from Highway #1 at Tappen, 25 km northwest of Salmon Arm.

There is a public telephone across the road. Tappen, Sorrento and Salmon Arm are communities close to the park.

A popular day-use area for locals as well as travelers, Sunnybrae Provincial Park is noted for fishing, swimming, boating, and as a family picnic area. It’s a short drive to Herald Provincial Park where there is an easy trail to impressive Margaret Falls. Note that this is a day-use park only; no overnight camping is permitted, and mooring of boats overnight is not allowed.

White Lake Provincial Park

Location:  The park is located approximately 10 km northeast of the Trans Canada Hwy from Balmoral (west of Salmon Arm). The last 2 km is on a logging road. Balmoral, White lake, Tappen, Sorrento and Salmon Arm are the communities that are close to the park.

White Lake Provincial Park is a Class C park situated on the north shore of White Lake. It has a reputation for excellent recreational rainbow trout fishing – it is one of the top three angling lakes in the province in terms of angler days. White Lake is popular for fly fishing and trolling in the summer, and also for ice fishing during the winter.

Facilities for camping and boat launching are limited – there are two pit toilets, a gravel boat launch, and an old picnic shelter.
Clayton Kessler

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