Chase: Lake, Waterfalls and Local History

Chase lies on the Trans-Canada Highway between Kamloops and Salmon Arm. The town is situated between the shores of Little Shuswap Lake and the South Thompson River valley; Chase Creek also shapes the local waterscape. If you are considering Chase as a vacation destination, you can focus on the experiences that matter to you: lake activities, walks and hiking trails, golf, or a tour exploring local history. This can help you decide which focus best suits your trip before looking for a vacation rental in Chase.

Lake, River and Chase Creek

Chase Creek tumbles over three small waterfalls, then flows through the town and empties into the South Thompson River just below the outlet of Little Shuswap Lake. The creek, lake and river are distinct landmarks in the landscape. If you are interested in the local natural environment, this sequence offers a clear sense of how the creek flows through Chase and onward to the river.

The Chase Creek Falls are reached via an easy, half-hour round-trip walk. You can view the waterfalls from a safe viewing platform. This is a straightforward option for a dedicated visit to the falls. The Switchbacks also offer hiking trails accessible from several locations within Chase, including trails for all hiking abilities. Many trails in the community follow Chase Creek and are suitable for a relaxing stroll through town. So you can choose between a short visit to the waterfalls, hiking trails and a more leisurely walk as different ways to spend time outdoors.

Water Activities and Relaxed Outings

Little Shuswap Lake has access to a public beach and a boat dock. Boating, kayaking and canoeing are among the possible lake activities. Memorial Park also has a public beach and a boat launch. If you are travelling with others, you can consider whether these opportunities on the water fit the kind of mix you want from your vacation.

Golf is another local leisure option: the municipally owned Sunshore Golf Course in Chase is a 9-hole, par-32 course. The details about the number of holes and par describe the course specifically and can help you decide whether you would like to include golf in your trip. Together with the water activities and trails, these options let you choose between active time on the lake, walks and a round of golf.

Explore Local History at Your Own Pace

A self-guided tour of local history takes you through Chase and to the town’s preserved historic buildings. You can discover the buildings as part of a walking tour and shape your visit according to your own interests. This adds a cultural perspective on Chase to the nature-based outings, without requiring a guided program.

The historic Laviolette Cabin is located on the grounds of the Chase Museum. Because of the regional climate and lack of heating, it is open to visitors only in spring and summer. If you want to include this part of local history in your plans, take the seasonal access into account when choosing your travel dates. The self-guided tour and the cabin offer different experiences: the tour takes you to preserved historic buildings in town, while the cabin is a specific point of interest on the museum grounds.

To decide whether Chase is right for your trip, you can weigh up the lake, trails, golf and local history. Its location on the Trans-Canada Highway between Kamloops and Salmon Arm, and between Little Shuswap Lake and the South Thompson River, offers clear geographical orientation. Which of these aspects interests you most may tip the balance in favour of choosing Chase as your vacation base.

Discover More Places

More destinations in this overview: Avola, Merritt, Savona, Monte Creek, Lytton, Kamloops, Clinton, Spences Bridge.

For the regional travel overview: Thompson-Nicola.