Park overview
Shuswap Marine is located around the perimeter of Shuswap Lake. It is comprised of 23 sites, all of which are popular for fishing and water sports. Hiking and nature study are popular at some sites. There are sites which are road accessible, but most are water-access only.
Facilities vary from nothing to three or four wilderness tenting sites with a pit toilet. Anglers should take note that Shuswap Lake contains 19 species of fish!
Shuswap Lake is shaped like an addled H, and is made up of four large arms:
- Shuswap Lake Main Arm
- Seymour Arm
- Anstey Arm
- Salmon Arm
The product of the glacial scouring that also rounded the surrounding Shuswap Highlands, all four arms converge at Cinnemousun Narrows, northeast of Sicamous.
Advisories
Dates of operation
Safety info
Boating
- While boating in the Shuswap, watch for buoys that may indicate divers in area, safe anchorage, or a swimming area where boats are not permitted.
- Please help to prevent the spread of Eurasian Water Milfoil by removing all weeds from your boat and motor before launching and after removing it from the lake.
- Some sites do not have protected beaches. In stormy weather, it is advisable to beach your boat stern-first, and secure it with long ropes from the bow to pegs on the shore. Houseboats should be beached according to instructions received from the rental companies.
- The lake can drop 5 to 10cm daily during the summer. Check your beached boat regularly, to avoid becoming stranded when camping for extended periods at parks with shallow beaches.
- Docks are provided in some areas for small craft only. Do not tie houseboats to these structures period May 15 to Labour Day.
- To report outages about Navigational Aids on Shuswap Lake, please call 1-800-667-2179
Fires and firewood
- Forest fire suppression is difficult in these remote areas. Use extra caution during windy periods. Please refrain from putting glass in fireplaces. Picnic tables can be protected by placing plywood or similar material under campstoves or hibachis.
Phones
- There are no public telephones at these small parks. There is cellular service in the area.
Special notes
Please respect other park users and the environment when visiting Shuswap Lake Marine Park. The below message for park users from BC Parks and the RCMP is intended to clarify what expectations marine park visitors should have. BC Parks is committed to providing quality nature-oriented recreation. We are endeavouring to ensure that all visitors can enjoy the marine parks.
- We are working to ensure that the ecological integrity of the parks is maintained, and that visitors can enjoy a safe and peaceful vacation in any of the 30 parks around the lake.
- Outdoor enthusiasts can expect a quiet holiday as the provincial parks are intended for nature-oriented recreation. People seeking a loud party atmosphere should look at alternative recreation destinations.
- Excessive noise is not permitted at any time. Please be considerate and observe the quiet time from 10pm to 7am.
- Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in provincial parks, except within your campsite.
- Enjoy your visit but please leave the parks as you find them. Firewood must be obtained from one of the many outlets around the lake rather than gathered from the forest. Taking live or dead wood out of the forest removes nutrients needed by plants, insects and fungi that are essential elements of the ecosystem.
- Please be considerate of other people on the lake and treat the natural environment with care. Disturbance of other visitors, cutting of trees or burning of bush wood, and use of fireworks will not be tolerated in any of the marine parks. Violators will face fines and eviction and houseboat renters could well experience termination of their houseboat holiday.
If you observe others violating park regulations or other laws, contact the RCMP (911) with as much information as you can safely record.
We look forward to seeing you on the Shuswap and hope that your visit will be memorable.
Camping
Camping permits must be purchased in advance, except for campers staying at Cinnemousun Narrows or Silver Beach.
This park offers vehicle-accessible campsites on a first come, first served basis. Campsite reservations are not accepted.
Not all sites have camping facilities. Where campsites exist, expect rustic wilderness tenting facilities only. For location specific information please go to the 23 Locations web page.
There are walk-in campsites available but no facilities are provided. The park is open year-round when accessible. For location specific information please see the Shuswap Lake Marine Park sites page.
| Marine-accessible camping fee | $20 per party or vessel, per night |
| Marine-accessible annual camping fee | $600 per party or vessel, per year |
There are walk-in campsites available but no facilities are provided. The park is open year-round when accessible. For location specific information please see the Shuswap Lake Marine Park sites page.
| Wilderness camping fee | $20 per party or vessel, per night |
| Marine-accessible annual camping fee | $600 per party or vessel, per year |
Winter vehicle-accessible camping fee: $11 per party per night
Facilities
Launch facilities are located throughout the Shuswap including at Shuswap Lake, Herald, and Mara Parks. Also, privately-owned marinas and the towns of Sicamous, Chase, Salmon Arm and Canoe all have boat launches.
Transport Canada restricts all power-driven vessels to 10km per hour while operating within 30m of shore on all inland waters of British Columbia. There is an exception which permits vessels to travel perpendicularly away from the shoreline where a higher speed may be required to tow a skier, wakeboard, etc.
Campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite. We encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead.
Firewood can be purchased at Cinnemousun Narrows Park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park.
To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
This park has day-use and picnic areas. Beaches vary from sandy to rocky depending upon location. For location specific information please go to the 23 Locations web page.
This park has pit toilets, but no flush toilets. For location specific information please go to the 23 Locations web page.
Activities
Please be careful when swimming, as most locations do not have designated swimming areas.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Shuswap Lake offers excellent recreational fishing opportunities for species such as rainbow, lake and bull trout, as well as kokanee, burbot and whitefish. Lake and rainbow trout can be up to 10 kg. Trolling for deep lurkers is the most popular technique.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Waterskiing does occur on Shuswap Lake. Please check with the Canadian Coast Guard for the current regulations and restrictions.
Windsurfing does occur on Shuswap Lake. Please check with the Canadian Coast Guard for the current regulations and restrictions.
Scuba diving and snorkeling occur in Shuswap Lake. Please check with local dive operators for more information.
For sites accessible by water only, launch facilities are located throughout the Shuswap including at Shuswap Lake, Herald, and Mara Parks.
As well, privately-owned marinas and the towns of Sicamous, Chase, Salmon Arm and Canoe all have boat launches. The closest communities to the park are: Seymour Arm, Anglemont, Celista, Scotch Creek, Blind Bay, Eagle Bay, Sicamous, Mara Lake, Tappen, Sorrento, and Salmon Arm.
Park and activity maps
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: May 9, 1980
- Size: 894.3 hectares
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
Silvertip Park Services Ltd.
parkinquiries@telus.net
250 320-9305
Nature and culture
History
The area is named after the Shuswap Secwepemc First Nations people, the most northern of the Salishan speaking people. This group was the first to inhabit the region, as evidenced by kekulis (semi-underground pit houses), which have been found at Scotch Creek and nearby Herald Park. Kekulies may be found in many of the locations of Shuswap Lake Marine Park. Pictographs or rock paintings have also been discovered around Shuswap Lake. During the nineteenth and early twentieth century, European explorers, fur traders and surveyors came to the area. Then in the late 1800’s, gold was discovered, and the population in the area soared. Today, little remains of these historic tales.
Conservation
Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the park’s natural heritage, please don’t damage or remove them. Cutting of trees for firewood, whether trees are live or dead, is strictly prohibited.
Wildlife
Cougars and bears are occasionally seen here. Wildlife is potentially dangerous and may be encountered at any time. Make lots of noise when hiking where signs of bears are found. Practice safe food storage, and dispose of garbage in the containers provided. Park users should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment. Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.