The best camping near Shuswap Lake Provincial Park

Almost anything you can do in the water, you can do in this bustling park on the north shore of the main arm of Shuswap Lake in central British Columbia. Whether you enjoy boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, waterskiing, swimming, paddleboarding, or windsurfing, you can find these popular activities on this large freshwater lake. You can even boat over to explore the park’s Copper Island. On land, there are a few biking and hiking trails, an adventure playground, an amphitheatre with nature programs, and a pebbly, sandy beach. The fully reservable 270-campsite campground has hot showers, flush toilets, and lots of trees, as well as 35 sites with electrical hookups.

• Best for RVs: “Char Lane” or “Whitefish Lane” in Shuswap Lake North Campground
• Best for closer-to-the-beach campers: Shuswap Lake North Campground
• Best for cyclists: Perimeter trail sites in Shuswap Lake South Campground

1. Campsite reservations are required during the main camping season at Shuswap Lake Provincial Park, which runs from May through mid-October. Make your reservations online through BC Parks’ Discover Camping website as far in advance as possible for this popular destination. Check the website early in the year to find out when reservations will open for the season, and be ready to book your site as soon as you can.
2. Don’t expect to find a free camping site on a busy summer weekend – you’ll have better luck with mid-week bookings in spring or fall.

Shuswap Lake Provincial Park is open May through mid-October, and the park regularly fills to capacity during the hot summers, from July to early September. Come in spring or fall, which can be slightly less crowded, although the chance of rain is also higher. While weekdays are normally less hectic than weekends, the park is busy even mid-week in July and August. Tip: in October, check out one of North America’s largest sockeye salmon runs in nearby Tsutswecw Provincial Park.

• Salmon Arm, the Shuswap’s largest town, is 62 kilometres from the park, on the lake’s southern side. Stock up on supplies here if travelling from the east. Coming from the west, do your camp shopping in Kamloops, 86 kilometres from the park. The park sells firewood and ice.
• Wine-lovers should detour south to the Okanagan Valley, one of Canada’s largest wine-producing regions.
• If you can’t find a camping site at Shuswap Lake Provincial Park, try another provincial park on Shuswap Lake, including Silver Beach or Herald Provincial Park, or a water-access site at Shuswap Lake Marine or Cinnemousun Narrows provincial parks.