Last Updated on January 27, 2024 by Jeremy

In planning your next camping trip get away in the Canadian province of British Columbia, perhaps you can resort to looking for a spot alongside the Houseboat Capital of Canada, Sicamous, BC.

Or, maybe you can take it one step further and seek out your favorite Shuswap Lake campgrounds.

The Shuswap (pronounced shoe-swap), or Shuswap Lake goes back into First Nations history, when the Secwepemc First Nations people arrived. According to Wikipedia, the length of Shuswap Lake runs 89 km long by 5 km wide and covers an area of 310 square kilometers.

Not as spectacular as the Kootenays, the Shuswap boast a mountain of hidden gem campgrounds to scope out, and below I will give you a glimpse as to where they are, focusing more or less on the lake front parks, which include the majority, Provincial Parks.

In a previous article, Campgrounds in the Kootenays, I mentioned our top 5 campgrounds we liked in that vicinity. In this article I will give a special mention to one of the campgrounds we work camped at, while living full time in our RV.

Welcome to the Shuswap

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Of the many recreational activities that are available in this majestic land, many people flock to this area to experience something nature has let us enjoy for centuries. Such activities like camping, swimming, boating and hiking attract thousands of visitors each year, and why not!

With many natural resources surrounding the land, mountain streams and wildlife, the abundance of birds and waterfowl, cedar-hemlock forests, and a great diversity of fish, are all things to keep you certainly amazed by its beauty along the Shuswap.

To give you a visual of this monster lake, we first need to break it up into sections.

• – MAIN ARM – Incorporates Shuswap Lake itself.
• – SEYMOUR ARM – Which runs North of the main arm.
• – ANSTEY ARM – Is directioned North and East of the main arm, and directly East of Seymour arm.
• – SALMON ARM – Located South & East of the main arm, and South of Anstey arm.
• – MARA LAKE – East of Salmon arm, South of Sicamous, BC.

By show of video, here’s a Map of the lake:

As the Shuswap can be spectacular for land camping in the area, this particular lake brings lots of activity of Houseboats and other marine vessels as well. Therefore, some mention of Houseboat tips will be included, as this does cover some particular campgrounds, also known as Marine Parks.

Provincial Parks

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Of all of BCs provincial parks located within the Shuswap, many come with restrictions for the land travelers as well as marine.

For example, fireworks are prohibited, quiet time begins at 11pm, dogs must be on a leash at all times, and special fishing regulations are in effect. As this applies to all guests, house boaters also need to follow these rules and need to be aware of specific forbidden docking areas.

The reason behind this, is due to unexpected shallow sand bars and debris, as high-water seems to come up right to the tree-line on some campgrounds in June.

Of the provincial parks, I will start with the Main arm.

MAIN ARM

The list of provincial parks on the main arm go as follows:

• -Cinnemousun Narrows Provincial Park – This park is located where the 4 arms all connect, and is one of the most popular stopping places for all lake users.

The North side of the lake contains four sites and a docking wharf for camping, while on the south side is a camping area with shelters and a beach suitable for swimming.

As well, there’s a hiking trail that leads from the campground to a vantage point that over-looks the lake, and is 1.5km in length.

• -Horseshoe Bay – Is a sheltered bay near Anglemont, which is a town that is accessible by road alongside the NW side of Shuswap Lake. Horseshoe bay is designated for all marine vessels.

• -St. Ives – Includes a beach and 1 pit toilet for lake users. Special Note: Houseboats may NOT remain overnight in parks west of Horseshoe Bay.

• -Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park – Located at the extreme West end of Shuswap Lake, a site on both sides of the Adams River from Adams Lake to Shuswap Lake, this park is dedicated to the conservation of salmon and does not permit overnight boats.

• -Shuswap Lake Provincial Park – The biggest provincial park on the Shuswap with 272 sites, this park has an excellent swimming and sunbathing beach, play areas and a boat ramp.

Plus, approximately 2km off the shoreline is what is called Copper Island, where there is a hiking trail with a pleasant view. No mooring of boats is permitted overnight at Shuswap Lake Park, and that also includes the Island.

SEYMOUR ARM

Alphabetically, the list of provincial parks accessible by boat and vehicle include:

• -Albas – With one of the most beautiful waterfalls (pictured above) located near a very back-country, rustic campground get-away, Albas is truly a hidden gem. There is a small campground of 5 sites South of Blueberry Creek, which is accessible by boat only.

For the drive-in campers, a steep one-laned trail gains you access to what I call, organized chaos. If you find a spot you like over-looking the beautiful lake, it’s yours. There are 3 pit-toilets and fresh apple trees in the area, as well a hiking trail that leads to the gorgeous view of Albas falls.

*Caution for hikers – the trail has many sharp, steep and rough sections, plus is home to a good deal of wildlife such as black bears and grizzlies.

Make sure you checked your camping list, and have your camping mat, flashlight, and generator handy for this campground, as it’s the closest to off-grid you’ll get, while still being in a camping atmosphere.

• -Beach Bay – With wide, sandy beaches for picnicking, beach bay is accessible for boaters only.

• -Bughouse Bay – Situated at the end of Seymour arm (most Northerly point), Bughouse bay has sheltered beaches, and shallow waters, and no amenities.

• -Cottonwood Beach – A very small beach exists with no amenities.

• -Fowler Point – Accessible by quad or boat, there is enough room for a tent or two. House-boaters and other vessels enjoy this spot due to a small sandy beach and a pit toilet.

• -Nielsen Beach – Wide beach, no amenities.

• -Silver Beach Provincial Park – This was our home for a camping season and is one of the most spectacular, attractive scenes I have witnessed while camping.

This park has a lot of history to many camping families that have bared the elements over time. Some as long as 35-40 years of annual camping trips for the sole purpose of quiet, relaxing, easy-beach-access, and peace.

What is labeled “The Mexico of the Shuswap”, Silver Beach is just that, soft sand where you can enjoy swimming, boating and other water sport activities.

The perfect get-away to take your Atoll Stand Up Paddle Boards.
Designed to go anywhere. Built to last.

Other things to do within these parks vicinity, due to forest fires a couple of years ago, lots of foraging in this area for mushrooms had occurred and is still probably home to many morels. And Seymour falls, another amazing waterfall are sure to catch your attention.

• -Encounter Point – Enclosed in a nice pleasant bay and accessible by boat, this marine park has 5 sites and 1 pit toilet.

• -2-Mile Creek – A south-facing camping area set in a lush forest of Douglas-fir, Hemlock and Birch for boat users. It has 5 sites and 2 pit toilets.

• -Woods Landing – Has a beach, with no amenities.

• -Wright Creek – Enclosed in a bay of gravel, accessible by boat, this marine park has 1 pit toilet.

ANSTEY ARM

Of 8 parks along this arm of the Shuswap, they are:

• -Anstey Arm – No Beach or amenities.

• -Anestey Beach – South facing camping area for marine users

• -Anstey-Hunakwa Provincial Park – This large park protects peaceful Hunakwa Lake and stands of old-growth cedar. A 2.5km trail leads from the end of Anstey Arm to Hunakwa Lake.

• -Anstey View – A trail that leads to the view of Anstey arm.

• -4-Mile Creek – A sparkling creek and a cedar-hemlock forest combine to give this site a special appeal.

• -Rendezvous Picinic Site – Small bays, pit toilet only, for marine use.

• -Roberts Bay – Small sandy beach without amenities.

• -Twin Bays – No amenities, small bays, boaters only.

SALMON ARM

Within this arm are 9 marine and land parks for the avid outdoor camper to choose from, and are as follows:

• -Aline Hill – No beach or amenities.

• -Herald Provincial Park – With 119 sites and another majestic waterfall hike (Margaret Falls), Herald park campground includes a picnic area, sandy beach front and boat launch ramp. Mooring of boats overnight are not permitted at this park.

• -Hermit Bay – Has a small beach, and 1 pit toilet.

• -Hungry Cove – Identical to Hermit Bay

• -Marble Point – Unique, marble outcroppings are visible from the lake. There is also a hiking trail linking the north and south camping areas past an abandoned mine shaft, a relic from past explorations.

• -Paradise Point – Gravelly beaches, close to Herald Park.

• -Swall – Small sandy beach only, for the marine tenters.

• -Sunnybrae Provincial Park – Has a popular picnicking, swimming and sunbathing spot which is located on the northwest shore of Salmon Arm.

• -Tillis Beach – Small pocket bays.

MARA LAKE

The only provincial marine park in this area is Mara Point, which is a rocky point with pit toilets.

Other Campgrounds along the Shuswap

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As you can see thus far, if you want fun in the sun, have or want to rent a boat, the Shuswap is for you. Even if all you want to do is tent, or stay in your 5th wheel or travel trailer, there are plenty of Shuswap Lake campgrounds to choose from.

If Provincial Park camping isn’t your forté, here’s a list of campgrounds that are within a hop, skip and a jump away from the Shuswap.

• -Bieri’s Paradise
• -Blind Bay Resort
• -Cottonwood Cove RV Resort
• -Finz Resort & Marina
• -Hangin Loose in Sicamous
• -Hidden Valley Campground Park
• -Magna Bay Resort
• -Pierres Point Campground
• -Ross Creek Country Store & Family Campground
• -Salmon Arm Camping Resort
• -Salmon Arm Elk’s Hall & Campground
• -Sandy Point Campground
• -Serenity by the Lake RV Park
• -Shuswap Meadows RV & Campground
• -Sorrento Centre Retreat Conference Center
• -Viewpoint Cottages & RV
• -Whispering Pines RV & Tent

You can find the majority of this information on these campgrounds mentioned above from this website: RV Parks & Campgrounds | Shuswap Tourism.

Navigation & Travel Tips

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As the shoreline of Shuswap isn’t complicated, it also does not require refined navigational skills. Boaters should be able to use a chart and compass in the event of forest fire smoke or fog.

Another precautionary aid in night sailing, is light-houses that are permanently positioned alongside certain points in the lake to avoid low points and shallow areas that may not be visible.

For the trailer hauler and motor home driver, winding roads and logging roads, plus wildlife are hazardous and should be traveled paying close attention.

Firewood is another concern when traveling in and out of these campgrounds. It is not permitted for cutting in provincial parks and should not be removed from the forest floor. The alternative is to bring your own source or get from local park operators.

Conclusion

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Wrapping up, the Shuswap Lake campgrounds offer some really majestic settings to enjoy a nice family gathering or annual event.

The next time you consider going to one of these mentioned campgrounds, I suggest you grab some of your must have kitchen items to create that outdoor BBQ meal that everyone can enjoy, after a day out relaxing on one of those sunny beaches.

And if you’re in the mood for a hike to one of those spectacular waterfalls like Albas, Seymour or Margaret, then I suggest you take your geocaching APP for that added activity of fun things to do.

Lastly, if traveling down the bumpy road to Albas, or around a windy logging road to Silver Beach, make sure your RV has insurance, as it’s better to have it and not need it, than it is to need it and not have it!

Comment on your favorite Shuswap location below, or send us a camping photo you’d like to have showcased on our Nature page:

Nature Gallery | Everything Nature and More

Cheers!