Family Trail Guide | The North & South Shuswap & Chase!
Adventure kids hiking around the North Shore Bear Creek Flume Trails
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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 one of the best reasons for creating a new adventure bucket! At the dawn of the new season, we sit down and dream up our Shuswap to-do list as a family. We are so fortunate to enjoy such an array of hidden gems, spectacular scenery, terrific trails, and local secrets right at our fingertips. You do not have to travel past the ridgelines of your community to be delighted by all of the wilderness offerings! With its diverse ecosystem, vast ranges of mountains, pristine waters, and endless forest lands, the Shuswap is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the natural world!
These three areas of the Shuswap offer something for everyone!
The vibrant village and surroundings of Chase, the awe-inspiring South Shuswap, and the incredible North Shuswap are made to overflow that adventure bucket!
Happy Spring Break, everyone!
Tappen Bluffs Trail looking out over Tappen Bay, Tappen Valley and Salmon Arm
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The South Shuswap
The South Shuswap lovingly encompasses Sorrento, Blind Bay, Eagle Bay, Notch Hill, Tappen, and White Lake. Each is a place of breathtaking beauty! There are many different hiking trails to discover the stunning views, outstanding landscapes, and varying biogeoclimatic forests of this incredible area! These family-friendly hikes are sure to bring joy and a sense of adventure.
Lace-up those hiking boots and find your passion here in the South Shuswap!
Wild Rose Bay
A short, forested walk down to the water, which features an excellent waterfront spot for exploring and spending the day! The trailhead is easy to find, and the trail is well established.
The Moss Walk is an additional lakeside loop trail; it has an abundance of incredible mosses draping the rocky outcrops and rock faces and is not to be missed! This is an excellent four-season trail, great for all levels of hikers, and is incredibly beautiful. Have a beach picnic and breathe in the crisp lake air while enjoying the quietness and spectacular scenery.
Wild Rose Bay Community Park down at the beach at the base of the trail
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The rocky outcroppings during springtime at the Wild Rose Bay Community Park beach
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Margaret Falls
Margaret Falls is one of South Shuswap's favorite family destinations! It is a beautiful and enchanting canyon walk along Reinecker Creek through a fairytale-like old-growth forest. The gorge boasts high vertical walls, moss-covered rocks, and charming wooden bridges. The impressive waterfall at the end is incredible! (Especially during peak spring run-off). Park in the Herald Provincial Park day-use area, spend time playing on the nature-inspired playground and stroll along the creek to the Margaret Falls trailhead. There is an abundance to see along this trail, and it is one of the best little family spots in the South Shuswap!
Reinecker Creek spring run-off at the Margaret Falls trail
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Reinecker Creek amongst Herald Provincial Park
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White Lake Lookout
White lake Lookout Trail provides a few great options for exploration. A popular, family-friendly route is to climb to the first lookout on the rocky bluffs, overlooking White Lake, Little White Lake, Tappen Valley, and Mt. Ida in the distance. The trail climbs through a picturesque forest, passing by a creek, and offers a great series of switchbacks. To add a more difficult hike and reap all of the rewards, the trail continues upwards through a beautiful open grassy forest before popping out at the radio tower. Continue from the towers, and a short narrow trail leads to spectacular open panoramic views of the Shuswap region! Not to be missed!
Views from the White Lake Lookout Trail over Little White Lake, Tappen Valley, and Mount Ida in the distance
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Mount Baldy
Mount Baldy is a local favorite, and for good reasons! It’s close to home, provides a gorgeous trek through a diverse forest; it is not too difficult but can challenge even a fit hiker. It has little wooden bridges and boardwalks with beautiful creek crossings. A charming and interesting sculptural art piece made of old bike parts welcomes you. The first peek-a-boo viewpoint is about halfway up; it is a perfect family destination and provides a great spot to take in Shuswap Lake and Copper Island's majestic views before heading back down or continuing up to the top to really reap the rewards of this local favorite!
The first lookout halfway up to the summit on Mount Baldy
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Views over Shuswap Lake, Copper Island, and the Shuswap highlands from the summit at Mount Baldy
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The North Shuswap
Rugged and authentic, inspiring and intriguing, the idyllic North Shuswap is a true prize in the region. The dreamy and vast shoreline, the winding and scenic lakeside road, colorful communities, and forest-laden mountains as far as the eye can see make up this incredible part of the Shuswap! The hiking trails and adventure opportunities here are like none other. Backroads, mountain lakes, beaches, and waterfalls are plentiful! Grab your map book, grab your trail guide, and head to the sunny-side, the North Shuswap!
Views over Shuswap Lake, Copper Island, and Blind Bay from the Scotch Creek Lookout Trail
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Evelyn Falls
Evelyn Falls is a 3 km beautiful, easy, out-and-back trail that leads to a gorgeous waterfall, scenic creek, and lush valley. Located near the fire hall in Anglemont on the North Shore, you will find a small parking lot at the well-defined trailhead. The drive to this destination is certainly worth it! Here, you will be transported to a fairy-tale-like mosaic of forest cover. Rich hues, mosses and lichens, natural trail art, and a gentle, family-friendly, park-like trail. The falls are beautiful, the sights are interesting and pretty, the hike is fun, and the sounds are mesmerizing, a true waterfall experience in the heart of the Shuswap!
Evelyn Falls trailhead near Anglemont B.C.
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Evelyn Falls in winter. A great four-season hike!
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Tsútswecw Provincial Park | Upper & Lower Bear Creek Flume Trail
The Bear Creek Flume Trails is a historic trail with informational signage and several fascinating points of interest along the way! The Adams River Lumber Company built the flumes to transport logs. It is comprised of two trails that are connected by a pedestrian underpass under the main road. You can enjoy these trails together or at separate times.
The Upper Flume Trail runs through a vibrant and lush old-growth forest and follows the creek. This is where you really see the history as there is a replica flume, original remnants, and a beautiful timber stair set, and there are seven unique and newly constructed bridges! There is also the impressive Bear Creek Falls, seen from a viewpoint high above!
The Lower Flume Trail: This is an easy and beautiful forest walk through large old-growth cedar and cottonwood stands. The trail weaves alongside the mighty Adams River with some interesting natural obstacles. Before you loop back, at the end of the trail is a “secret beach” on the Adams River's shore. Bring a picnic and enjoy this setting!
Bear Creek Upper Flume Trail
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Bear Creek Upper Flume Trail. One of the many new bridges!
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At the beach at the end of the Bear Creek Lower Flume Trail on the Adams River
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Adams Gorge Trail | Tsútswecw Provincial Park
The Adams River Gorge Trail is a spectacular journey that starts on an old road, becomes an easy trail in the canyon, and ends up at the spectacular gorge. You can continue on the trail, which runs alongside the river and eventually comes to Gold Creek. Climbing the rocks and taking in the white water rapids' views rushing and churning through the narrow gorge below is a sight to see. Below the canyon is a large pool with a sandy beach, a perfect spot for a picnic! The springtime is really wild, with the mountain run-off; take extra caution on the rocks!
The Adams River at the gorge.
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The Adams River is seen along the Adams Gorge Trail
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Chase
The village and surrounding area of Chase is a special place in the Shuswap. Its geographic location alone is something to marvel at. Chase is located at the only water outlet of Shuswap Lake and is the South Thompson River's headwater. The South Thompson joins the North Thompson River near Kamloops, and together they form the beautiful turquoise-colored Thompson River. The Thompson River is the largest tributary to the Mighty Fraser near Lytton B.C.
The opportunities for exploration in and around Chase are boundless, and for families, this spring break, adventure awaits!
Views over Chase B.C. from the first lookout at The Scatchard Mountain Switchback Trail
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Chase Creek Falls
Chase Creek falls an easy, half-hour return walk to an impressive and beautiful waterfall! The canyon walls towering above are also something to see, and bighorn can often be spotted here! The short walk boasts loud, thundering water and interesting rock faces. The falls can be viewed from the safe structural platform. This is an excellent trail for even the littlest of hikers.
Scatchard Mountain Switchbacks
This is a family-friendly 7 km historic trail climbing up high above the Chase Creek Canyon and overlooks Chase and Little Shuswap Lake. The trail is an old road; it is wide and free of natural obstacles, making it great for the kids to run and play along the way! The first viewpoint overlooking Chase and the Canyon is only 1 km up the trail. The rock walls, wide-open pathways, and amazing views make this a local favorite! This trail system's base has a great map and pamphlets to take to help guide you along.
Scatchard Mountain Switchback old historic road trail
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Bighorn sheep are often seen above Chase Creek Canyon
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Chase River Walk
What spring break would be complete without a riverbed exploration walk? The headwaters of the South Thompson River start in Chase at Little Shuswap Lake. Park in the designated sites near the boat launch on Mill Rd. and take a stroll, marveling in the riverside wonder. In the spring, the rocky shores are nature’s treasure hunt, and families can walk for miles, enjoying the sights and sounds, rock finding, and watching the Eagles.
Want to explore more? You can visit the Chase Museum or Chamber Visitor Centre for an interpretive pamphlet written by local historian David Lepsoe. There is a self-guided heritage walking tour, exploring the village of Chase and all of the charming, historical buildings that are still standing.
Afterward, head to Memorial park and the playground to complete this fun-filled, outdoor family day!
The headwaters of the South Thompson River start in Chase at Little Shuswap Lake
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Collecting treasures along the South Thompson River
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Celebrate Spring in your own backyard this year! Take the time to discover a new local destination or trail and enjoy all of the wonders that the Shuswap Region communities have to offer!
Trail art in the Shuswap
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Shuswap adventure kids!
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