Words by Steve Fennell
Provincial Parks are ideal places to spend a vacation away from all the hustle and bustle, daily schedules and constant interruptions of emails and texts. There are many options right on Shuswap Lake where you can moor your boat, go for hike, set up camp, and most all, discover the joys of a new, remote destination.
Even if you’re not a nature lover, the immediate areas of BC Parks provide the perfect place to stay on the hook with a scenic backdrop of tall dense forests and rock formations. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to try it this year, you’ll love the isolation.
Trinisands
All Shuswap Lake parks are gateways to adventure.
Cinnemousun Narrows Provincial Park - North Shuswap
Accessible only by boat, Cinnemousun Narrows Provincial Park is a true on-water getaway. Located where the four “arms” meet, Cinnemousun Narrows is considered one of the top parks for swimming, houseboating, and watersports in the BC interior. A cruise here means pulling back on the throttles and enjoying everything the park and immediate area has to offer.
Access into Cinnemousun Narrows is via the public wharves, and dock space is available on a first come, first serve basis. Overnight moorage is also available to stay for a few days. If your plans include setting up camp right in the park, 28 walk-in sites are available, all shaded with stunning views of the lake. Reservations for the sites are not required but again, they are available on a first come, first serve basis. It’s also houseboat-friendly with designated areas to pull right up on shore.
Although it has many natural attractions, it’s likely your crew will like the extensive sand beach the most. It allows easy launching for canoeing, kayaking, and SUPs, and it’s common to see visitors wakeboarding, fishing, or even diving. If hiking is more your thing, there’s a 1.5 km (0.9 mi) trail that will reward you with an excellent view of the region. Even though the park doesn’t have designated picnic areas, day-trippers are welcome to use the space in unoccupied campsites.
Cinnemousun Narrows is one provincial park that should be experienced, even if it’s just for a day. You’ll arrive with high expectations, and leave fulfilled after taking in all that can be enjoyed here.
Mick Hall
Herald Provincial Park
Herald Provincial Park – Salmon Arm
Herald Provincial Park along the western shore of the Salmon Arm is an all-encompassing destination for recreational boaters. It consists of only 79 hectares (200 acres) and while it’s not the largest of Provincial Parks, the amenities make up for it. The park touts a day-use area, designated camping with 128-sites, a public boat launch, beach, and a forested uplands ecology.
This means it can serve as a home base or be an ideal go-to site if your accommodations are nearby. The park has easy access to Shuswap Lake so fishing, wake surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing are common here throughout the summer. Two nice features in the park are the beach, which affords the chance to bask under the sun or refresh in the calm waters, and the hiking opportunities to further explore the area. You’ll want to visit the Upper Canyon and take in scenic views of the lake, or take the self-guided nature trail that leads to Margaret Falls. Bird watching is another favourite activity here, so be sure to bring along a telephoto camera lens or a good pair of binoculars.
Herald Provincial Park is pet-friendly and if camping is your preferred choice, three separate campgrounds include Bastion Mountain, Reinecker and Homestead, each offering some privacy and many practical services. The park is also close to the rural community of Tappen, which is home to two vineyards and basic services, while Salmon Arm has with more options and is an easy 20-minute drive.
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hobvias sudoneighm
Margaret Falls in Herald Provincial Park.
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Mike
Scenic Mara Lake.
Mara Lake Provincial Park – Sicamous
This BC Provincial Park is tucked away at the southerly end of Mara Lake and 12 km (7.5 mi) from Sicamous. While camping or overnight mooring is not permitted, it’s a great day-use area with a boat launch, beach, and picnic areas.
Mara Lake has depth of approximately 49 m (150 ft) and anglers will be happy to learn the lake is active with Rainbow and Lake trout, Dolly Varden, and Kokanee. For the best results, troll early morning, in the evening, or deeper depths in the afternoon. Fish for a few hours, relax on the beach, swim or cruise, then enjoy a family meal along the shores later in the day – this BC park provides the perfect day trip.
Shanthe
A typical scene you’ll see on Shuswap Lake while checking out the area.
Shuswap Lake Provincial Park – Scotch Creek
This is one of the more popular Provincial Parks in the Shuswap and it has pretty much everything needed by recreational boaters. There’s a paved, double boat launch within the day-use area and while overnight mooring is not permitted, there’s a marina close by offering transient moorage with many more marinas around the lake.
When you’re on the water, the immediate area is ideal for watersports, fishing and cruising. One area to visit is Copper Island, a popular destination located just 1.3 km (.8 mi) from shore, which has a 2.8 km (1.8 mi) hiking trail offering beautiful views. While on the water, explore and perhaps you’ll discover your own destination in a more isolated anchorage or cove.
Group camping is available with large grassy sites, electrical hookups and pump outs. There’s also easy access to a large playground for the kids, hot showers, and picnic tables. Of course, there’s an expansive beach plus hiking trails to explore Evelyn or Albas Falls.
For more details of these parks and more visit www.env.gov.bc.ca