Savona on Kamloops Lake

Between Lakeshore and Grassland

At the western end of Kamloops Lake, where the lake flows into the Thompson River, lies Savona. Its location where two bodies of water meet gives the community a distinct connection to the landscape; at the same time, Savona is surrounded by semiarid grasslands and hills. The lakeshore and dry, hilly terrain together define the local scenery. This gives you a specific question to consider when planning your trip: should water activities, the region’s history or the landscape shape your vacation? Savona Lakeshore Park offers a beach, a playground and beach volleyball; at the Heritage Museum, you can learn about the region’s history.

Lakeside Recreation

Savona Lakeshore Park brings together several specific recreational opportunities. The park has a swimming beach with floating docks, a playground area and beach volleyball courts. The playground area is a family-friendly draw; the beach and floating docks put the waterfront front and center, while beach volleyball adds an active option. If you’re travelling with children, these different amenities may factor into your choice of activities. You can also tailor your vacation rental search to the kind of holiday you want: a focus on time by the water and outdoor activities offers a different experience from a trip centred mainly on local history.

Ferry Service and Regional History

Savona’s history is also closely connected to crossing the Thompson River. The community was originally called Savona’s Ferry: around 1859, Francois Saveneux built a ferry across the mouth of the Thompson River, giving rise to the name. Historic Savona was located on the north shore of Kamloops Lake and was the terminus of the stagecoach route from Cache Creek on the Cariboo Wagon Road. In 1870, the government took over the cable ferry at Savona’s Ferry. These details tell the story of Savona as a stop on a historic transportation route, not just a place on the water. Visitors can learn about the region’s history at the Savona Heritage Museum. If you enjoy combining landscape and history when you travel, this gives you a distinct cultural focus for your stay, alongside the lakeside park.

Travel in earlier times also took people across the lake: travellers had to take a steamboat up the lake to Kamloops, the Shuswap Country and the Big Bend goldfields on the Columbia River. This historic connection extends the story of the area beyond Savona and conveys the role the water route played in travel at the time.

More Places Nearby

Two distinct excursion destinations lie near Savona. Steelhead Park on Kamloops Lake offers opportunities for canoeing and kayaking; Savona is the nearest community. Nearby Mount Savona Park can be reached from the town of Savona via Tunkwa Lake Road.

More places to discover: Cache Creek, Clearwater, Lytton, Kamloops, Clinton, Logan Lake, Ashcroft, Avola.

For the main travel overview: Thompson-Nicola.