Sicamous: Lakes, Nature and History

Sicamous is located where Shuswap Lake connects with Mara Lake. Water activities, walking trails, and insights into local history shape different sides of this vacation destination. When choosing a vacation rental, you can consider whether you’d like to spend your days mainly by the water, outdoors in nature, or exploring the history of Sicamous and the Eagle Valley.

Water Activities on Shuswap Lake

Sicamous recommends a wide range of activities on Shuswap Lake: houseboating, recreational boating, and jet skiing, along with kayaking and canoeing. Stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, water skiing, wakeboarding, fishing, and windsurfing are also among the options listed. You can choose between activities on the water, those powered by your own efforts, and options centered on swimming or fishing. Houseboating is also listed as an option for visitors to Sicamous.

Sicamous Beach Park has a designated swimming area and a water playground for children. Visitors planning swimming and playtime during a family vacation will find two specific options there. Main Street Landing also has a public boat launch for day use, as well as walking trails. This adds to the options for travelers who want to include a walk alongside water activities.

Nature Trails and Views

Sicamous River Front Nature Park combines a walking trail with a nature experience along the Eagle River. The 2-kilometer trail winds through a cottonwood forest beside the river. It is family-friendly. Visitors can also experience local wildlife and watch the Eagle River there. This makes the park a distinct option for an outing focused not on watersports, but on walking, wildlife observation, and the river.

The Old Sicamous Highway follows the historic route of the former highway for about 6 kilometers and offers views of Shuswap Lake. Its approximate length and lake views give this section a different character from the 2-kilometer walking trail in the Nature Park. Anyone interested in a route that follows the former highway can add this section to their plans.

Local History and Active Outings

The Sicamous Heritage Walking Tour focuses on the eastern side of the Channel. There, Sicamous’s original main street, Finlayson Street, meets the Channel at Young Crescent and Riverside Avenue. These location details give the tour a specific historical connection: it draws attention to the former main street and the area where the named streets meet the Channel.

The Sicamous & District Museum & Historical Society presents the varied history of Sicamous and the Eagle Valley through artifacts, photographs, digital media, and texts. These different formats offer a range of ways to explore local history. A museum visit can therefore be considered a cultural-history highlight alongside activities on the lake and outings in nature.

For cyclists, Finlayson Park has a competition-grade Velosolutions pump track. Alongside the main track, it has a separate children’s pump track where young riders can gain their first riding experience. Families can choose from the different options: the facility has a main track and a dedicated children’s track, while the water playground and family-friendly walking trail offer other specific opportunities for outings together.

Choose the Right Focus

The range of activities can help you decide what to focus on during your stay: watersports and boating, a walk along the Eagle River, the historic highway route, local history, or exercise on the pump track. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Sicamous, you can weigh these interests and decide which experiences matter most for your trip. You can also explore Celista, Field, Golden, Sorrento, Revelstoke, Anglemont, Malakwa, and Beaverfoot as other destinations.

For the overarching travel guide: Columbia-Shuswap.