Spring is here, and excitement is in the air! Happy spring break, Shuswap! Eight extraordinary communities make up the Shuswap Region. Both Salmon Arm and Sicamous offer an exceptional variety of family, outdoor adventures to create the perfect spring holiday while staying local to your community!
Spring is here, and excitement is in the air! Happy spring break, Shuswap! Eight extraordinary communities make up the Shuswap Region. Both Salmon Arm and Sicamous offer an exceptional variety of family, outdoor adventures to create the perfect spring holiday while staying local to your community!
For those looking to explore safe and welcoming open spaces close to home, we invite you to enjoy the selection of established trails and natural pathways of these staycation destinations!
The beautiful Shuswap views from Mount Ida
Salmon Arm
If you’re looking for a lively and vibrant scene that offers the perfect mix of fun urban and unforgettable outdoor recreation, then look no further than our beloved Salmon Arm! Known as the heart of the Shuswap, our lakeside community offers an abundance of soulful experiences and stunning natural surroundings in every direction! The sparkling waters of the lake entice us to live a life well-lived! The peaks of Mount Ida gracefully rising above reminds us that nature is always calling!|
Salmon Arm has many family-friendly hiking trails found within the city and nearby hills and mountains. There are several trusty ones near and dear for fantastic family fun! These trails are well-marked, easy to find, great for all levels, and are rich in adventure!
This spring break, love our own communities, love our local tourism, and play outside in Salmon Arm!
In the heart of Salmon Arm, a stroller and wheelchair-accessible paved path, looping a pretty little lake with the beloved water fountain in the middle. This is a great family stroll and a great place for very small children to explore! Springtime here offers an abundance of pond-type habitat, there is never a dull moment here if you are into wildlife viewing!
This impressive system is made up of a large network of trails built and used for hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, running, and horseback riding. A fun feature is the Troll Trail which has a great little winding bridge, which is adorned by a collection of little trolls, all peeking out at you! The kids absolutely love this! It is a great spot to enjoy the many different types of trees. It also provides access to the Larch Hills trail system above and the Larch Hills Traverse. Make this trail system as long or short, difficult or easy as you please. It would require an extensive amount of time to explore all of the trails here!
Little Mountain Park Trail System
This beautiful and forested system has a variety of short and easy intertwining trails through cedar, larch, and pine woodland and is good for all skill levels. Reach the minor summit of Little Mountain and views overlooking Salmon Arm and Bastion Mountain can be enjoyed from the benches provided. A great trail system to add to your day of shopping or errand running for some connection to nature.
Syphon Falls & Gayle Creek Loop
A short, scenic, and interesting walk to beautiful waterfalls tucked in the forest. This is a popular local rock climbing area, and if you are lucky, you will get to watch the rock climbers in action! This beautiful family-friendly trail follows along a creek with a few crossings over a bridge. There are some beautiful rock faces and in the springtime, watch for an array of wildflowers! Be prepared to help young children maneuver around boulders and near the waterfall.
Sicamous
Living on a lake is a spirited place to call home, alive with adventure and natural wonder! In all directions, you’re surrounded by strikingly beautiful mountains and waterscapes as far as the eye can see. It fills the soul! The colorful and proud village of Sicamous holds the very essence of this celebrated lifestyle. Here, there is a playfulness in nature, in the water, in the skies, and the mountains. Sicamous is a varied and fascinating meeting place that is full of sun and scenery! There is an abundant array of well-marked trails and attractions in the area that offer all walks of life an exceptional and impressive experience.
Live more in Sicamous and spend spring break exploring with this insightful stay local guide!
Eagle River Nature Trail is truly a Shuswap gem! This is an easy, super enjoyable, family-friendly, flat pathway with a series of well-marked loop trails. There are 6 kilometers of trails along the banks of the Eagle River. It is a beautiful and ancient old-growth stand of the cottonwoods, hemlock, and cedars. There are remnants of logging from the 1920s and 1930s here, where ginormous cedars were cut down, and now have become nurse stumps (feeding and giving life to the new growth). There are some charming boardwalks and bridges, and interpretive signage throughout. Visitors love the views and the opportunities to explore the colorful Eagle River and the little nature pond. Watch for the beautiful eagles fishing here! A great spectacle!
Sicamous Beach Nature Trails & RiverFront Nature Park
One of the best and all-encompassing waterfront community beach parks in the Shuswap! The adorable community garden beds, soon-to-be brand new washrooms, the little playground, splash park, picnic tables, and expansive waterfront access along the incredible Silver Sands beach treats families to an endless day in the sun beachcombing and playing! Sicamous RiverFront Nature Park is a family-friendly walking trail that pleasantly leads you through a beautiful forest of giant cottonwoods alongside the Eagle River.Or for a new view, follow the footpath under the bridge to The Main Street Landing, which is located at the traffic circle and offers a great paved waterfront path to stroll along and take in the shimmering water and lively marine views.
This short but sweet waterfall adventure is good for all levels, and surely the kids will love it! It is a well-maintained, recently upgraded, easy hike through a lush and dense forest. The canopy above is rich and diverse and provides welcoming shade on those hot Shuswap days! Sicamous Creek is a tributary to Mara Lake. Wonderful views of Mara Lake, the creek canyon, and beyond can be seen on the Lizard Trail, which is the same trailhead as the falls, and a large sign with a detailed map can be found here. Great amenities, scenic hiking, and easy roadside access make this a perfect spot to explore!
North Fork Wild is a beautiful family-friendly, well-planned trail network nestled within an incredible interior rainforest! It is a wondrous place to explore! The kids will enjoy the various wooden stairs, bridges, and boardwalks. The woodland is thick and lush of hemlock, yew, and cedar stands. Mosses and lichens cover the ground and mass boulders along this ecologically rich valley and ridge trail. Great views and easy access to the crystal clear Perry River are seen along the River Side Trail. North Fork Wild boasts sandy beaches, creeks, light marshlands, and the enchanting Lower Perry River Canyon. A springtime, local favorite!
These are only a small glimpse into the extensive trail system around Salmon Arm and Sicamous. Find your favorite or try them all! Savor the beauty of the Shuswap and embrace the spirit of spring while engaging with your own community, connecting with nature, and exploring as a family!
By Sarah Tokarek
www.shuswapadventuregirl.ca
Please follow all health protocols and check for weather conditions. Tell someone where you’re planning to go and when you’ll be back and bring the basic outdoor safety equipment.
For complete directions and distances of all trails please review Shuswap Trail Alliance website.
Stay tuned for more on the Spring Break Trail Guide – Next week will be featuring the South and North Shuswap along with the Falkland, Enderby, Chase and Armstrong Areas.
