The Shuswap Region of British Columbia is located north of the Okanagan Valley, between Vancouver, BC and Calgary, AB.

Kelowna International Airport is the closest major airport and the 10th busiest airport in all of Canada, offering daily flights to Seattle, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto. Available airlines include Jazz, WestJet, Air Canada, Horizon Air (Alaska), Harmony Airways and Regional 1 Airlines.

When flying into Kelowna taxi, shuttle and car rental services are available inside the terminal.

Located in the heart of B.C.’s famous Shuswap Lake recreational area, Salmon Arm is not only the Okanagan Valley’s northern gateway, but also the Shuswap’s bustling centre of commerce and services. Salmon Arm is well known for its beautiful, lush setting amidst mountains, lakes and valleys. When you make the easy decision to vacation in Salmon Arm and the Shuswap, be ready to enjoy a holiday that combines outstanding wilderness scenery, countless recreational activities, and many bustling shops and boutiques.

Whether you travel in summer, winter, spring or fall, the Shuswap has it all. It is conveniently located halfway between Calgary and Vancouver along the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy #1) and Highway 97, making it easily accessible from all directions.

Okanagan Vacation Home Rentals is located in downtown Kelowna, only 1 1/2 hours drive from Shuswap Lake. Because each and every one of our staff members live here, we are uniquely qualified to suggest local activities and attractions that may be of interest to you. Take a look at these great suggestions from staff members and if you have any questions about Shuswap and area please feel free to give us a call.

"When I am in the Shuswap area, I like to sample the local markets for fruits and jams."

There are no shortage of local markets and roadside stands offering fresh fruit such as cherries, apples, peaches and plums as well as home baking and crafts.

"The Shuswap area is close to several parks which make great day trips."

Wells Gray Provincial Park is 2 hours from the Shuswap and is known to house more then 20 waterfalls which can be reached by boat, car or on foot. There are also several extinct volcanoes in the area.

"River Rafting, now that's fun for the whole family."

Adams River Rafting Ltd. has been offering high quality river adventures since 1983. This is also a great activity if you are planning a birthday or corporate event.

The area offers sunny summers with sandy beaches, pristine lakes, championship golf courses, museums, heritage sites, mountain hiking and biking trails, and in winter there is awesome snowmobiling and cross-country ski trails. In the fall, experience a delicious harvest of all sorts of fruits and vegetables by visiting one of the local farms or tasting a glass of wine at one of three local wineries. The area is well known for its artists and artisan community with numerous galleries and festivals for you to experience.

The Shuswap is dotted with numerous lakes that are perfect for boating, fishing, and all kinds of water sports.

Shuswap Lake is the largest lake in the area with hundreds of kilometers of shoreline with hidden coves and beaches, very popular with houseboaters. Enjoy your stay in the Shuswap, your four season playground.

The Shuswap Lakes area is one of the most popular summer destinations in British Columbia. Bring your whole family and stay in a beautiful lakefront resort, or private vacation home. There is plenty of activities and attraction to keep you entertained while you are here, such as houseboating, camping, golfing and just relaxing on the beach.

A helpful hint for first time visitors to the Shuswap Region, make sure to book all you activities and rentals as early as possible, as things book up very quickly. Houseboats are now booking a full year in advance.

ATV Rentals

The rugged backcountry terrain of the Shuswap area provides the perfect location for ATV tours. There are several local companies that offer guided day trips where you can explore trails which lead to elevations of up to 6500 feet.

Boating

One of the most popular lakes in the interior, Shuswap has become the houseboating capital of British Columbia. Each year hundreds of visitors come to explore over 1000 km of shoreline. You can literally spend days exploring all the beaches, hidden coves and open water here. If you prefer to sleep on land, there are also plenty of opportunities to book power boats and enjoy an afternoon of wakeboarding, waterskiing or tubing. Make sure to reserve your boats early, as houseboats can be booked up a more then a year in advance.

Camping

Surrounded by mountains, forests and steams, the Shuswap area is a campers dream. With many lakefront sites and full services offered you can bring your tent or RV. Make sure to book your spots early (April 1) as they fill up extremely fast.

Fishing

Surround by gorgeous BC lakes the Shuswap area is perfect for fishing. Many of the experienced guides will take you out on not only Shuswap Lake, but also Mara Lake, Kalamalka Lake, Wood Lake and Okanagan Lake. Even if you don't catch anything, this is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon.

Golf

With over 10 top quality courses to choose from, it is easy to see why the Shuswap is such a popular destination for golfers. One of the most impressive courses is the Shuswap Lake Estates Golf & Country Club, which offers the finest playing experience possible. Other popular courses include Anglemont Estates, Canoe Creek and Sunshore Golf Course. Make sure to book your tee times early, as courses fill up very early during the summer months.

Hiking

The Shuswap is packed with excellent hiking and biking trails. The Falkland area offers lots of intermediate trails while the North Shuswap area offers several hikes which pass waterfalls, bridges, beaches and explore the surrounding forest.

Horseback Riding

With several excellent trail riding companies in the area, you and your family can experience the beautiful British Columbia scenery on horseback. Many of the tour guides offer rides for everyone from novice to expert riders.

Parks & Beaches

With over 1000 km of shoreline, Shuswap Lake has plenty of great family beaches. There are also several provincial parks in the area that offer camp sites, picnic area, boat launches and lots of room for children to run and explore. Ask your reservation agent for details on the best parks and beaches where you are staying.

Rafting

Want to bring some excitement to your vacation? Take a white water rafting trip down the Adams River. This is a great activity for the whole family whether you are experienced rafters or this is your first time.

Wineries

With several top quality wineries in the area, make sure you have time to stop in for a tour and browse the gift shop. Two of the most popular wineries in the area are Granite Creek Estate and Recline Ridge Winery.

Do you own a local business? Would you like to be featured in the Okanagan Vacation Home Rentals directory?

Contact us at 1-888-763-6373 or web@ovhr.com for more details.