Family Trail Guide | Salmon Arm & Sicamous!
The beautiful Shuswap views from Mount Ida
Shuswap Adventure Girl
This article is also available on the Shuswap Tourism Website along with a “Featured Stories” section that offers all kinds of ideas for local FUN and EXPLORATION!
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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!
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. I personally have hiked and walked most of the trails here, and there are several trusty ones that I hold 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!
Views over Salmon Arm, Shuswap Lake, and the Fly Hills
Shuswap Adventure Girl|
Salmon Arm Foreshore Nature Trail, Raven Trail & Christmas Island
Salmon Arm boasts many things, and its inter-city trails and parks are really fantastic and provide us with so many options to choose from. One of the local loves is the waterfront sanctuary along the protected shores of Shuswap Lake.
This is an easy, multi-use, multi-season, wildlife viewing trail through an incredible wetland sanctuary. It has beautiful wooden boardwalks and viewing platforms, with a variety of bird species to admire! Watch for turtles, beavers, muskrats, and the resident weasel! Include Salmon Arms’ famous Wharf in your walk! Explore more in the Salmon Arm wetlands!
Christmas Island at the Salmon Arm Foreshore Nature Trail & Raven Trail
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Christmas Island at the Salmon Arm Foreshore Nature Trail & Raven Trail
Shuswap Adventure Girl
McGuire Lake
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 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!
Park Hill
An easy to moderate, family-friendly loop trail system which wanders through a thick and rich forest of hemlock and cedar stands. Enjoy views of Shuswap Lake and the cherished Bastion Mountain in the distance. Kids will love the well-maintained boardwalks, and be sure to watch for fun and enchanting trail art along the way!
The South Canoe Trail System
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!
The fun ‘Troll Trail’, South Canoe Trail System | Salmon Arm B.C.
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The fun ‘Troll Trail’, South Canoe Trail System | Salmon Arm B.C.
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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.
Little Mountain Park Trail System | Salmon Arm B.C. | Views over Salmon Bay and Tappen Bay in the distance!
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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.
Syphon Falls & Gayle Creek Loop Trail
Shuswap Adventure Girl
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!
Views over Sicamous, Shuswap Lake, and The Eagle River from Sicamous Lookout
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Eagle River Nature Trail
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!
Eagle River Nature Trail | Sicamous B.C.
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Sicamous Beach Nature Trails & River Front 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 River Front 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.
Sicamous Beach Park
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Malakwa Suspension Bridge Walking Loop
An impressive and fun sight to see in the Shuswap community of Malakwa, the suspension bridge spans over the beloved Eagle River. The wooden 1915 bridge was built by the local farmers to connect the community with the fields and pastures. Now, adventurers can enjoy the crossing and spend the afternoon walking or jogging alongside the river around the 4.5km road route, enjoying the views of the nearby mountains!
Malakwa Suspension Bridge
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Sicamous Creek Falls
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 Loop 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!
Sicamous Creek Falls
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View of Mara Lake and beyond from the Lizard Loop Trail
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North Fork Wild
North Fork Wild is a beautiful family-friendly, well-planned trail network nestled within an incredible interior rainforest! It is a wonderous 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!
North Fork Wild Lower Trailhead pictured with The Shuswap Traill Alliance Trail Guide
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North Fork Wild trail system through an interior rainforest
Shuswap Adventure Girl
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!
