Shuswap Motor Touring Guide

Page 1

i

Visit www.ShuswapTourism.ca or one of our visitor centres: Chase Visitor Centre 400 Shuswap Ave., Chase, BC V0E 1M0 250.679.8432

Enderby & District Visitor Centre 702 Railway St., Enderby, BC V0E 1V0 250.838.6727 | Toll-free 877.213.6509

Salmon Arm Visitor Centre 20 Hudson Ave. NE, Suite 101, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4P2 250.832.2230 | Toll-free 877.725.6667

Sicamous & District Visitor Centre #11-1133 Eagle Pass Way, Sicamous, BC V0E 2V0 250.836.3313 | Toll-free 866.205.4055

South Shuswap Information Kiosks There are a number of self serve Information Kiosks throughout the South Shuswap: Sandy Beach-Blind Bay, Sorrento Blind Bay Park,Eagle Bay Store, Notch Hill Hall, Sorrento Strip Mall,White Lake Community Hall, Sunnybrae Park, Blind Bay andBalmoral Road Intersection.

Besides these 8 amazing routes there are thousands of kms of other logging roads and gravel roads to be explored in the Shuswap. We recommend people pick up a copy of the Thompson Okanagan Backroads Map Book to use in conjunction with this guide and for your continued exploration.

Shuswap motor touring guide www.ShuswapTourism.ca

www.ShuswapTourism.ca


highways, and back-country gravel roads offer the real get-away-from-it-all ride. Here are 8 different routes to explore, taking you to quaint communities and gorgeous parks, historical sites and remarkable sights, museums, wineries, markets – and an abundance of Shuswap scenery in between. Choose an out-and-back day trip, a scenic loop, or combine routes for a multi-day tour. Fuel up along the way at a charming café or farm stand, or pack a picnic to enjoy by one of our sparkling lakes. Stop awhile in a friendly town, and take in some local culture.

There’s lots to discover – and no hurry at all. Cruise on over to the Shuswap for a vacation like no other.

Some like to think we’re in the middle of nowhere. We like to think we’re at the centre of all that’s good. If you’ve been dreaming of the open road, the Shuswap is your dream come true. With endless stretches of mindblowing scenery, breathtaking shorelines, and lush hills, this is the perfect place for touring by car or motorcycle. Get in the driver’s seat and experience the Shuswap’s winding roads and fantastic pavement – so smooth and clean that you might just think you’re floating. Paved back roads mean you don’t need to stress on fast-paced four-lane

2 | www.ShuswapTourism.ca


SHUSWAP REGIONAL MAP Seymour Arm

Pukeashun Provincial Park

Albas Falls

Hunakwa Lake Anstey Hunakwa Provincial Park

NORTH Lichen Mtn

Seymour Arm

Adams Lake

Perry River

To Barriere Mt Mobley

Piper Lake Crowfoot Mtn

Anstey Arm

Mt Evans

Twin Lakes To Eagle Pass Mtn

Scotch Creek Cinnemousun Narrows Provincial Park

St. Ives Magna Bay Anglemont

Hlina Lookout

To Sun Peaks (Summer Road)

Aylmer Lake

Squilax

Griffin Lake Griffin Mtn

Herman Lake Salmon Arm Tillis Landing

Malakwa

Three Valley Lake

White Lake

Notch Hill

Chase Creek Falls

To Three Valley Gap & Joss Pass

White Lake Provincial Park

Blind Bay

Cummins Lake Carlin

Chum

Chase Lake

Phillips Lake

South Thompson River

Eagle Bay

Sorrento

Craigellachie

Wild Rose Bay

Shuswap Lake

Lee Creek

Little Shuswap Lake

Skmana Lake

Celista

Scotch Creek

Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park

Queest Mtn

To Revelstoke, Golden & Calgary

Mt Hilliam

Tappen

Skimikin Lake

Mt Bastion

Margaret Falls

Sunnybrae

Skimikin

Sicamous

Mount Griffin Provincial Park

Annis Mara Lake

Swansea Point Mara Mtn

Canoe

Salmon Arm

Blue Lake

Kingfisher Creek Provincial Park

Larch Hills

Fly Hills

Rosemond Lake

To Kamloops & Vancouver Wallensteen Lake Mt Ida

Spa Hills

Grindrod

Kernaghan Lake Silver Creek

Pillar Lake

Gardom Lake

Enderby Cliffs Provincial Park

Spa Lake Hidden Lake

Arthur Lake Estekwalan Mtn

To Westwold & Kamloops

Enderby

Bolean Lake

Mabel Lake

Shuswap River

Falkland

5 km

Armstrong

Tuktakamin Mtn

Salmon River Pinaus Lake

To Vernon & Kelowna www.ShuswapTourism.ca | 3


ROUTE 1: CENTRAL SHUSWAP EXPLORATION Distance: 54.6 km one way

on White Lake Road. Continue for 14 kilometres out to White Lake and around to Balmoral. Along the way enjoy a stop at White Lake for fishing or one of the many hikes of the Blind Bay White Lake trail system starting from the trailhead at John Evdokimoff Park.

Approximate driving time: 3 to 4 hours, depending on stops Road conditions: A paved, meandering road, with narrow shoulders, skirting the lake’s edge.

At Balmoral, turn right onto Balmoral Road, which becomes Eagle Bay Road. Drive 28 kilometres to Wild Rose Bay.

Summary: Take lake life on the road, with waterfront scenery and country charm – and a motorcycle museum that’s not to be missed. Route description: Excellent opportunities for swimming and fishing, lakeside dining, stunning sunsets, and the famous Dreamcycle Motorcycle Museum and Sprokkets Café. Go out and back or take a shortcut.

On your way out or back enjoy a meal on the patio at Sunset Cove Marina and Grill or stop in at Blind Bay Village Grocer, a full-service grocery, gas station, and deli.

Starting from the Tappen Co-op, return to the Trans-Canada Highway, turning right (westbound). Drive 5 kilometres, past the White Post Auto Museum and Antique Mall and turn right onto White Lake Road, then left immediately to stay

On returning to the Trans-Canada Highway be sure to visit the Dreamcycle Motorcycle Museum and Sprokkets Café where you can see hundreds of restored vintage motorbikes, watch bikes being restored, take in a movie and get something tasty to eat.

Cinnemousun Narrows Provincial Park

Wild Rose Bay

NORTH Shuswap Shuswap Shuswap Lake Lake Lake Provincial Provincial Copper Park Park

Eagle Bay Rd

Island

Blind Bay Rd

Sorrento Dreamcycle Motorcycle Museum & Sprokket's Café

To Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, Golden & Calgary

4 | www.ShuswapTourism.ca

White Lake Provincial Park

White Lake

Wh ite Lak eR d

To Chase, Kamloops, & Vancouver

Sunset Cove BBV Grocer

John Evdokimoff Park

White Post Auto Museum Tappen

Herald Provincial Park

Sunnybrae Rd Salmon Arm 5 km

Shuswap Lake Marine Provincial Park


ROUTE 2: NORTH SHUSWAP SALMON ROUTE Distance: 92 km return

the turnaround point at the hamlet of St. Ives. From St. Ives you can retrace your route back to the Squilax Bridge, or press on along a well-maintained gravel forestry road for another 47km / 1.5 hours to Seymour Arm.

Approximate driving time: 2 hours, depending on stops Road conditions: A paved road, with narrow shoulders, through residential areas. It can be busy during the summer.

Your route from Squilax passes through Roderick Haig Brown Provincial Park, site of the famous annual Adams River Sockeye Salmon Run, and Shuswap Lake Provincial Park, known for its excellent camping, beaches, boat launch, and day use area.

Summary: A winding lakeshore drive that includes provincial parks, a winery, a golf resort, and beautiful beaches, picnic spots, and hiking trails. Route description: This out-and-back route offers plenty to see and do, plus opportunities to leave the beaten path and explore.

Visit the communities of Squilax, Scotch Creek, Celista, Angelmont, and St Ives. Stop by the Quaaout Lodge, a full-service resort featuring the Talking Rock 18-hole golf course and Jack Sam’s Restaurant. Detour into Celista Estate Winery, Canada’s most northerly winery.

Start at Squilax Bridge, 10 km east of Chase or 9 km west of Sorrento on the Trans-Canada Highway. Turn off onto Squilax Turtle Valley Road, taking the cloverleaf overpass across the highway and Little River. This road becomes Squilax Angelmont Highway.

Very few services are available along Angelmont Squilax Road beyond St. Ives, but this rewarding drive passes Albas Falls, Silver Beach Provincial Park, and the old pub at Seymour Arm.

Continue for 47 km along Squilax Angelmont Highway to reach

To Seymour Arm, Albas Falls, Silver Beach Provincial Park St. Ives Angelmont

Celista Winery Beguelin Rd To Adams Lake & Barrière

NORTH

Celista Shuswap Lake Provincial Park Copper Scotch Island Creek

Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park Holding Rd

SquilaxAngelmont Rd Squilax-

Shuswap Lake

Eagle Bay Rd

White Lake Quaaout Lodge Squilax

Sorrento

Little Shuswap Lake

White Lake Rd

Balmoral Turtle Valley Rd

To Chase, Kamloops & Vancouver

To Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, Golden & Calgary 5 km

Skimikin Rd

Skimikin Lake Rd

www.ShuswapTourism.ca | 5


ROUTE 3: DISCOVER NESKONLITH Distance: 102.6 km – First loop 46.7 km, second loop 55.9 km

Continue along Pine Street as it changes to gravel and becomes Kamloops-Shuswap Road after the bridge. Drive 4 km until you come to a Y intersection, and take the right branch onto Loakin-Bear Creek Road. Drive 20.5 km to Holding Road, turn right and drive 4.3 km to Squilax-Angelmont Road.

Approximate driving time: 2 to 3 hours, depending on stops Road conditions: Mostly packed gravel roads, suitable for a dual-sport bike. When traveling this route by car, be prepared for rough patches, washboard sections, and dust. Keep an eye out for oncoming traffic and logging trucks.

To return to Chase, turn right on Squilax-Angelmont Road. and follow the road across the Squilax Bridge and back to the Trans-Canada Highway.

Summary: 2 loops that can combine for a figure 8 route. A tranquil, accessible drive that feels like deep backcountry. Climb through lush forests for views of lakes, rivers, and meadows, and stop for a walk or paddle.

To extend your trip along the second loop, cross the Squilax Bridge and turn south onto Turtle Valley Road. Drive for 7 km, then turn left onto Skimikin Road, which becomes Skimikin Lake Road. Continue for 17.5 km.

Route description: Note that there are no services past Chase – but you might find turtles!

At the intersection with Tappen Valley Road, you’ll reach the Recline Ridge Winery. Turn left onto Tappen Valley Road which becomes Tappen Notch Hill Road. Turn left onto Notch Hill Road after 10.5km. Continue 7km to Sorrento. At Sorrento, turn left onto the Trans-Canada highway and drive 19 km back to Chase.

From Kamloops or Salmon Arm, take the Trans-Canada Highway to Shuswap Avenue in downtown Chase, then turn right on Pine Street. You’ll cross the South Thompson River and see its headwaters, Little Shuswap Lake, on your right.

To Adams Lake & Barrière

NORTH

Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park

LoakinBear Creek Rd

Copper Island

Holding Rd SquilaxAngelmont Rd Quaaout Lodge

Skmana Lake Recreation Area Kamloops Shuswap Rd

Shuswap Lake Provincial Park

White Lake

Shuswap Lake

Sorrento Little Shuswap Lake

Aylmer Lake

Turtle Valley Rd

Dreamcycle Motorcycle Museum & Sprokket's Café

Notch Hill Rd

Neskonlith Lake Provincial Park

Tappen Notch Hill Rd

Chase

Pine St

Tappen Tappen Valley Rd Rd Valley

Shuswap Ave Turtle Valley Bison Ranch

Neskonlith Lake

Skimkin Lake Rd

South Thompson River

To Kamloops & Vancouver To Falkland

6 | www.ShuswapTourism.ca

5 km

Recline Ridge Winery

Tappen

To Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, Golden & Calgary

Salmon Arm


ROUTE 4: MOUNT IDA CIRQUE Distance: 77.6 km To Chase, Kamloops & Vancouver

Approximate driving time: 1.5 hours

Summary: A scenic loop around Mount Ida through fertile agricultural land, beginning in downtown Salmon Arm. Visit producers, wineries, and museums along the way.

NORTH Pedro DeMilles Gonzales Farm Fruit Stand Market

Route description: Discover the Shuswap’s agricultural history with this tour through fertile land that has been farmed for generations. The route circumnavigates Mount Ida, bringing its four peaks into view, and crosses the Salmon River several times.

97 B

Salmon River Rd

To Enderby, Vernon & Kelowna

Mt Ida

97

Deep Creek Tool Museum Salmon River

B

Gardom Lake

Silver Creek Salmon River Rd Deep Creek Rd

Ovino Winery

5 km

Salmon River Rd

Drive 13 km along Yankee Flats Road, crossing Salmon River Road again, and continue along HaywoodArmstrong Road/Salmon River Road for 10.5 km.

Turn left onto Highway 97B and drive 10 km to the TransCanada Highway. Turn left to get back to Salmon Arm, or right to go to Sicamous.

R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum

Harmonious Homestead and Ewe

Travel 15.5 km through the Silver Creek Valley, then turn right onto Yankee Flats Road.

Turn left onto Knob Hill Road/Deep Creek Road, and continue for 20 km.

Salmon Arm

Grass Root Dairies

Visit DeMille’s Farm Market, Grass Root Dairies , Ovino Winery, and other producers, and pass buildings, halls, and fences from the homesteading era. Learn about local history at the RJ Haney Heritage Museum, check out the world’s largest lawnmower at the Deep Creek Tool Museum, and take in a live performance – in a corral – at Caravan Farm Theatre. Take the Trans-Canada Highway west from Salmon Arm, and turn left onto Salmon River Road just past DeMille’s.

Hanna & Hanna Orchards

Shuswap Lake

Road conditions: Paved roads in good condition.

To Sicamous, Revelstoke, Golden & Calgary

Yankee Flats Rd

Knob Hill Rd Caravan Farm Theatre Ford Rd Salmon River Rd

Heywood Armstrong Rd

To Falkland 97

To Vernon

To Armstrong

www.ShuswapTourism.ca | 7


ROUTE 5: SHUSWAP RIVER ROUTE Distance: 113.4 km in a figure-8 Approximate driving time: 2 to 3 hours

To Revelstoke, Golden, Calgary

Road conditions: Paved roads, at times narrow and winding. Summary: Discover the Shuswap River and communities it connects! This route has everything – great views, shops, markets, museums, parks, and more.

Shuswap Lake

NORTH

Route description: From Enderby, travel south on Highway 97B, then turn right onto Canyon Road. Stay left as the road winds upward for 5 km, then turn right on Hulcar Road and continue for 2.5 km. Turn right on Deep Creek Road and travel 15 km to Highway 97B. Turn left onto the highway, and in 1.5 km turn right onto Grandview Bench Road. Follow Grandview Bench Road over the Larch Hills for 10 km, and enjoy the stunning vista of the Shuswap River Valley and Enderby Cliffs. Turn left onto Highway 97A and travel 6 km north through Grindrod. Turn left onto Riverside Road and drive 3.5 km to Mara. Continue 1 km to return to 97A, turning left onto the highway and traveling 20 km north to Sicamous. At Sicamous, turn left onto the Trans-Canada Highway and drive 26 km to the Shuswap’s urban centre, Salmon Arm. Turn left on Highway 97B and travel 14.5 km to 97A. Turn left again to go 5km north to Grindrod. At Grindrod, turn right onto Enderby-Grindrod Road. Drive 9 km along the base of the Enderby Cliffs and shores of the Shuswap River. Turn right onto Enderby-Mable Lake Road to return to Enderby.

8 | www.ShuswapTourism.ca

Sicamous

Mara Lake

97 A

Salmon Arm To Chase, Kamloops

Mara Provincial Park

& Vancouver

R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum

97

Mara

Riverside Rd

Black Rd

Larch Hills Winery

B

Grandview Bench Rd Deep Creek Tool Museum Gardom Lake Deep Creek Rd

Grindrod Riverfront Pub Gordon's New and Used

97 A

Enderby Cliffs Protected Area

Enderby Grindrod Rd

Enderby Mabel Lake Rd

Waterside Winery

Enderby Canyon Rd Hulcar Rd

Shuswap River

Trinity Valley Rd 5 km

Starlight Theatre To Armstrong, Vernon & Kelowna To Armstrong


ROUTE 6: ROAD TO MABEL LAKE Distance: 34.1 km one way

perhaps and enjoy live music at Lorenzo’s Café, at the intersection of Mabel Lake Road and Trinity Valley Road, 10 km from Enderby.

Approximate driving time: 1 hour to Mabel Lake

Or, extend your trip by turning south on Trinity Valley Road and driving 43 km to Lumby. At Lumby, turn west onto Highway 6, and take it all the way to Vernon. At Vernon, turn north onto Highway 97, and continue on Highway 97A to Enderby.

Road conditions: Good, paved road to Mabel Lake. Summary: A scenic, straightforward drive from Enderby to Mabel Lake, with opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing, dining, and more. Route description: Starting from Enderby, take the bridge toward Mabel Lake on Enderby Mabel Lake Road. Its a 34 km drive to Mabel Lake Golf & Country Club. (To hike the iconic Enderby Cliffs, turn left near the start of your trip at Brash Allen Road, taking you to the Enderby Cliffs Protected Area parking lot). Pick up a snack at Ashton Creek Store, and watch for produce stands, artisan studios, boat rentals, shops, cafés, and the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre. Return to Enderby by retracing your route. Stop for dinner

Mara

Riverside Rd To Salmon Arm, Kamloops & Vancouver

In Enderby, step back in time with a visit to D&E Drive Inn Restaurant, a retro ‘60s-style diner, and a movie at the Starlight Drive-In Theatre. Don’t rush out the next morning – enjoy Enderby’s art galleries and excellent museum, or take a side trip to Waterside Winery.

97

Rhonan Peters Rd

NORTH

To Sicamous, Revelstoke, Golden & Calgary

A

To 3 Valley Gap

Grindrod 97

Kingfisher Interpretive Centre

B

Enderby Grindrod Rd

3 Valley Mabel Forest Service Rd

Mabel Lake Golf & Country Club

Enderby Cliffs Protected Area

Mabel Lake Rd

Brash Allen Rd

Waterside Winery

Ashton Creek Store Lorenzo's Cafe Enderby Mabel Lake Rd

Enderby

To Lumby

97 A

Trinity Valley Rd

Starlight Theatre

Mabel Lake

To Armstrong, Vernon & Kelowna To Lumby

5 km

www.ShuswapTourism.ca | 9


ROUTE 7: EAGLE RIVER VALLEY 19 km from Sicamous, turn left into Malakwa. Stop for a visit, and hunt out the Malakwa Suspension Bridge across Eagle River. Just past Malakwa, on the other side of the highway is The Burner Restaurant & Lounge, an authentic converted burner that pays tribute to the area’s logging history.

Distance: 49.9 km one way Approximate driving time: 45 minutes one way Road conditions: Trans-Canada Highway, paved, with good shoulders. Summary: A short journey from Sicamous to Three Valley Lake, passing points of historical interest and opportunities for adventure.

27 km from Sicamous, make a stop at Craigellachie, where the last spike was driven into the Canadian-Pacific Railway. Today an interpretive centre tells the story of this engineering endeavour.

Route description: This out-and-back route takes you past the community of Malakwa, and then Craigellachie, home of the Last Spike. It continues to Three Valley Lake Chateau and Heritage Ghost Town, a resort that is totally off the grid, powered by a nearby waterfall!

You’ll also find Crazy Creek Resort, the Enchanted Forest, and Skytrek Adventure Park along this route. Take your time, enjoy the craggy mountain scenery, and have plenty of fun!

Start at Sicamous and travel east along the Trans-Canada Highway.

Cinnemousun Narrows Provincial Park

Crazy Creek Resort

NORTH

To Revelstoke, Golden & Calgary

Craigellachie Enchanted Forest/ Skytrek Adventure Park Shuswap Lake

Malakwa

Griffin Lake

The Burner Restaurant & Lounge

Three Valley Gap

Eagle River Nature Park Cambie-Solsqua Rd

Yard Creek Provincial Park Mt Griffin Ecological Reserve

Sicamous Solsqua Rd To Salmon Arm, Kamloops & Vancouver

Sicamous To Enderby,

97 Vernon & A

10 | www.ShuswapTourism.ca

Kelowna

Kingfisher Creek Ecological Reserve

5 km

Three Valley Lake


ROUTE 8: CIRCLE THE SHUSWAP Distance: 220 km round trip

From Sorrento, continue on the Trans-Canada Highway to Chase (Route 2). About halfway, you can turn north on Squilax Angelmont Road toward Squilax and the North Shuswap.

Approximate driving time: 4 hours

At Chase (Route 3), turn east onto Chase Falkland Road. Drive 43 km to Falkland. There is a short gravel section along this road.

Road conditions: Good conditions on highways around the Shuswap with one short gravel section of road. Summary: Take a scenic tour of the Shuswap and stop by the area’s signature communities.

From Falkland, take Highway 97 east. Turn north on Salmon River Road, then turn right to continue east to Armstrong on Heywood Armstrong Road.

Route description: This loop circumnavigates the Shuswap and offers opportunities to visit our great towns and attractions. Drive this route all at once, venture out on any of the other tours along the way, or design your own adventure.

At Armstrong, turn north on Highway 97A and continue through Enderby (Routes 5 and 6), Grindrod, Mara, and Sicamous (Route 7).

Starting at Salmon Arm travel 15 km west along the TransCanada Highway to Tappen (Route 1). From Tappen, continue to Sorrento via the Trans-Canada Highway or Notch Hill Road. You can turn off toward White Lake after 6 km or Blind Bay and Eagle Bay on Balmoral Road after 9 km.

Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park Squilax Little Shuswap Lake

NORTH

At Sicamous, turn west onto the Trans-Canada Highway to return to Salmon Arm.

Balmoral Rd

To Revelstoke, Golden & Calgary

Eagle Bay

Blind Bay White Lake

Sorrento

Chase

White Lake Rd

Notch Hill Rd Sunnybrae Rd

Sicamous

Shuswap Lake

Tappen Neskonlith Lake

Mara Lake Chase Falkland Rd

Kingfisher Creek Ecological Reserve

97 A

Salmon Arm

To Kamloops & Vancouver

Grindrod

Grindrod

Salmon River Rd

Enderby Mabel Lake Rd

Enderby Cliffs Protected Area

Mabel Lake

Enderby

97

Falkland Salmon River Rd 97

To Vernon

97

Heywood Armstrong Rd

97 A

5 km

Armstrong To Vernon & Kelowna

www.ShuswapTourism.ca | 11


OTHER GUIDES Shuswap Vacation Guide Featuring regional highlights, hidden gems, and ideas for every season and taste.

Shuswap Trail Guide Hike, bike, snowshoe, ski, or saddle up your trusty steed to roam our amazing trail network.

Winter Guide We’ve got snow and plenty of it! Come play in the powder, try out ice fishing, or cozy up indoors.

XC Ski & Snowshoe Trail Map An introduction to over 160 kms of tracked and untracked nordic trails and snowshoe opportunities.

Full Circle Farm Tour Guide Discover the Shuswap’s rich agricultural history and amazing flavours by visiting the folks who tend the land.

Shuswap–North Okanagan Cycle Touring Guide

Not quite ready for your Shuswap adventure to end? Neither are we! We’ve got a variety of other guides to help you plan the next phase. Stop in at one of our Visitor Centres to pick up a copy and get in-person advice, or stop by the Shuswap Tourism website at ShuswapTourism.ca to peruse these guides online and download them for future reference.

12 | www.ShuswapTourism.ca

Find a wide variety of loop and out-and-back road cycling routes for day trips or overnight.

Sled Sicamous Snowmobile Trail Map Showcasing four BC favourite sledding areas, all within an hour’s drive from Sicamous.


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.