Conveniently located at the intersection of two major highway routes, the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 97A. Shuswap Lake is one of the most popular recreational destinations in BC and offers more than 1000 kilometers of shoreline to explore. There are dozens of provincial parks and unlimited land and water-related recreation opportunities. At the heart of the community is the Sicamous Channel, bridging the Mara and Shuswap lakes, which are popular destinations for vacationers.
the houseboat capital of canada
Trademarked as the Houseboat Capital of Canada, Sicamous offers the unique experience of houseboating that welcomes thousands of visitors each year. This activity is a great way to vacation with family and friends, lazily drifting along the lake, taking in the gorgeous mountain views. Each night, build a campfire on the beach and watch the beautiful sunset, then stargaze from your upper deck hot tub. There are endless activities and experiences for vacationers of all ages:
Rent a paddle board or kayak from one of our Sicamous vendors to take on the houseboat
Bring your diving gear to explore the NINE dive sites on Shuswap Lake
Pull your houseboat up to Hyde Mountain Golf Course dock and shoot a round before dining on their outdoor patio
Take in some beautiful waterfalls - Margaret Falls & Albas Falls are a quick walk from where you beach your houseboat
Feeling thirsty? Hit the Sea Store & the Shark Shack: floating convenience store and restaurant located in the Narrows, where the 4 lake arms converge. You can also park at a variety of lakeside restaurants and pubs located in the Channel & Old Town Bay
Enjoy a winery tour at Sunnybrae Winery, where you can pull your houseboat up to the beach and taste some amazing local wines
Bring your mountain bike and explore the bike trails accessible by houseboat that will challenge the mind & body
Keep your eyes open for the Indigenous Pictographs still visible on the rock cliffs around the lake
Sicamous also attracts travelers to the lake to boat, swim, fish, and paddle. Sicamous has the best water access in the Shuswap, with EIGHT boat launches in the community. If you are looking for some jet ski, wakeboard, wakesurf or waterski action, you can rent a boat at one of our rental locations or book a session with local instructors (boat and gear provided).
Sicamous Beach Park has a new concession facility with outdoor seating and pergola, washrooms, a landscaped area to enjoy outdoor concerts and festivals, beach volleyball courts and a playground, complete with a splash park. These amenities add to the overall experience of visiting one of the Shuswap’s BEST beaches.
If you are looking for a fishing adventure, grab your gear and a fishing license and head out, or charter one of the local companies to take you out in search of Trout, Char, Kokanee and Chinook salmon in the Shuswap.
Beyond water recreation, travelers can enjoy Sicamous’ two scenic golf courses overlooking the Eagle River and Mara Lake.
Sicamous is also home to over 40 walking, hiking and biking trails in the area – welcome to all levels of skill and fitness. From a gentle walk to one of the many magnificent waterfalls, to a challenging, all day trek up to the alpine & breathtaking mountain views. The Sicamous Greenways trail network can get you around the community on foot or by bike.
A proposed bike park for the lower portion of Owlhead Mountain is sure to draw biking enthusiasts to the area, and there are numerous OHV & Dirt Bike trails accessible for motorized enthusiasts to explore the backcountry. Recently, there has been a resurgence of hang gliders who fly from the Sicamous Lookout on Queest Mountain.
As well as being the “Gateway to the Shuswap”, Sicamous has become the northern gateway to an exciting new intercommunity project, the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail. Unfolding the story of the traditional Secwépemc territory, the trail will link to the Vernon-Kelowna rail-trail greenway and extend 200 kilometers south to Osoyoos, opening opportunities to promote recreation and cultural tourism in the area.
snowmobiling
Sicamous is well known for its world class, award-winning riding areas such as Blue Lake, Eagles Pass, Owls Head and Queest - providing some of the worlds best riding conditions from December to April. Check out Sled Sicamous for maps, conditions & warm up cabins in the riding areas. In 2019, Sicamous received gold in the Snoriders Rider’s Choice Awards for favorite overall snowmobiling area in B.C, and in 2017 was named champion of B.C.’s Sled Town Showdown.
Sicamous is within 150 kilometers of the Kelowna International Airport. Within a short drive of Sicamous, you will find world-class heliskiing, cat skiing and ski resorts including Revelstoke Mountain, Silver Star, Big White and Sun Peaks.
