Shuswap Lake Provincial Park boasts a sandy beach, nature trails, and interpretive programs perfect for families.
Shuswap Lake Provincial Park campground is one of our favorite campgrounds in BC. With a long sandy beach, beautiful mountain views, and fun activities for kids, we go almost every year (and miss it when we go elsewhere). The sand is perfect for building sand castles and the water is clean and clear and not too cold for a quick swim.
Shuswap Lake Campground Amenities
Besides a lovely, sandy/pebbly beach, Shuswap Lake boasts several amenities making it a dream location for family getaways:
- showers and flush toilets
- large, semi-private, shaded campsites; double sites and a group site are also available
- a bike-friendly campground β everyone rode their bikes everywhere
- playground
- amphitheater with great programming including a βLearn to Fishβ session (more details below)
- Nature Hut with neat exhibits and free activities for the kids on weekend afternoons (games, Jerryβs Rangers program where kids can earn badges) as well as t-shirt painting (extra charge; a good activity on a rainy day)
- short, interpretive nature trail perfect for families with small children to complete in less than one hour
- warm weather and no mosquitoes (Herald Provincial Park on the other arm of the Shuswap Lakes was considerably cooler as it is in the lee of Bastion Mountain for a good part of the day.)
- a huge number of picnic tables near the beach, many shaded by large trees
- walking distance to a small, general store; short drive to grocery store
Campground Interpretive Programs
We were happy just walking, exploring the trails around the campground, and going to the beach; but on Saturday morning, we were invited to a βLearn to Fishβ presentation at the amphitheater. Appreciative of the invite, I politely declined, explaining we had left our fishing equipment at home and were from out of province so didnβt have valid fishing licenses. The GoFishBC staffer told us she had loaner rods on hand and reminded us that kids under 16 donβt need a license, so we put away our breakfast dishes and tagged along. We learned to identify different kinds of fish, how to hold a fish if you catch one, how to release and resuscitate a fish, and finally, how to tie a clinch knot, and cast! After the presentation, kids were allowed to borrow a rod and reel for an hour and try their luck. We didnβt catch anything, but it was wonderful way to spend the morning.
Not only was there fishing class in the morning, but childrenβs activities in the afternoon. Older kids could play games such as Red Rover on the field. My girls joined the Jerryβs Rangers group (suitable for 5-12 years old, though my 3 year old was allowed to join and loved it): Parks staff led the kids on a scavenger hunt through the interpretive trail and taught them about the areaβs history, plants and animals; how to protect the environment; and how to be bear aware. At the end of the scavenger hunt, every child was presented with a certificate, and was allowed to stick her earned sticker badges on her certificate. Goody bags complete with lollipop, pin, and coloring book were handed out and of course, graduation antlers were donned. The scavenger hunt took about one hour in total and the kids really enjoyed it.
Shuswap Lake Provincial Park, you are doing it right! Educating children in a fun way is the best way to get them to appreciate nature and hopefully try to protect it as they get older. For the rest of the trip, my 3 & 5 year old girls remembered to stay on trails to protect plants and prevent soil erosion, they (mostly) did not pick plants or wildflowers because βthatβs what Jerryβs Rangers doβ, and asked about doing more fishing when we got home. We canβt wait to go back!
What is your favorite family-friendly campground in BC?
For More Information
- Campground reservations must be made throughΒ Camping.BCParks.ca
- For more information, visitΒ BC Parks | Shuswap Lake Provincial Park.
- To discover other places that offer βLearn to Fishβ sessions or free fishing equipment rentals, visitΒ GoFishBC.
Getting Here
Shuswap Lake Provincial Park is located 572 km from Calgary / 61.5 km from Salmon Arm. We usually stop at Golden on the way there as itβs about halfway. Visit Golden Skybridge if you have time!
What to Bring
See our Camping Pack List for everything you need! Now available as a PDF!
Related Posts
- Camping at Ellison Provincial Park, BC
- Camping at Herald Provincial Park
- Camping in Glacier National Park, BC