Shuswap Lake Marine Provincial Park

• May 25, 2017: Albas Campground – Celesta Creek Trail visitors urged to use caution

  Rising water levels in Celesta Creek have impacted the loop trail to the falls and back in Albas campground on the Shuswap Marine. The public using the trail at this time will likely encounter water on the trail surface, and are urged to stay well back from the swollen creek banks and rock pools above the falls. Do not put yourself or others at risk! Access will continue to be monitored and future restrictions may need to be implemented.

• For boating safety tips, information and requirements for Pleasure Craft, please refer to the Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide, available to view or print by clicking the following web link:
  http://www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/marinesafety/TP-511e.pdf?WT.mc_id=ielnd

• Caution! Celesta Creek trail at ALBAS campsite contains steep, rough sections with sharp drop-offs. Children should be closely supervised and pets kept on a leash. Serious injury and deaths have occurred in this area due to adjacent waterfalls, changing water levels, fast currents and cold water.

About This Park

Shuswap Marine is comprised of 23 sites located around the perimeter of Shuswap Lake. All locations are popular for fishing and water sports; hiking and nature study are popular at some sites. Some sites are road accessible, but most are water-access only. Facilities at the sites vary from nothing to 3 or 4 wilderness tenting sites with a pit toilet. Anglers take note: Shuswap Lake contains 19 species of fish!

Shuswap Lake is shaped like an addled H, and is made up of four large arms: the Shuswap Lake Main Arm, Seymour Arm, Anstey Arm, and Salmon Arm. The product of the glacial scouring that also rounded the surrounding Shuswap Highlands, all four arms converge at Cinnemousun Narrows, northeast of Sicamous.

Park Size: 896 hectares

Know Before You Go

Boating

• While boating in the Shuswap, watch for buoys that may indicate divers in area, safe anchorage, or a swimming area where boats are not permitted.
• Please help to prevent the spread of Eurasian Water Milfoil by removing all weeds from your boat and motor before launching and after removing it from the lake.
• All boaters – please read the Greywater Discharges Banned from Vessels in BC’s Inland Waters [PDF 160.57KB].
• Some sites do not have protected beaches. In stormy weather, it is advisable to beach your boat stern-first, and secure it with long ropes from the bow to pegs on the shore. Houseboats should be beached according to instructions received from the rental companies.
• The lake can drop 5 to 10 cm daily during the summer. Check your beached boat regularly, to avoid becoming stranded when camping for extended periods at parks with shallow beaches.
• Docks are provided in some areas for small craft only; do not tie houseboats to these structures period May 15 to Labour Day.
• To report outages about Navigational Aids on Shuswap Lake, please call 1-800-667-2179

Camping at Shuswap Lake Marine

Camping permits must be purchased in advance, except for campers staying at Cinnemousun Narrows or Silver Beach. For a list of camping permit vendors, click here.

Please regard othe park users, and the environment when visiting Shuswap Lake Marine Park. A message for park users from BC Parks and the RCMP, contains some guidelines for behaviour which include:

• Excessive noise is not permitted at any time. Please be considerate and observe the quiet time from 10 PM to 7 AM.
• Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in provincial parks, except within your campsite.

There are no public telephones at these small parks. There is cellular service in the area.

Fires and Firewood

Read the campfire information on this page

Forest fire suppression is difficult in these remote areas. Use extra caution during windy periods. Please refrain from putting glass in fireplaces. Picnic tables can be protected by placing plywood or similar material under campstoves or hibachis.

Location and Maps

Please note: Any maps listed are for information only – they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

• Location Map

For sites accessible by water only, launch facilities are located throughout the Shuswap including at Shuswap Lake, Herald, and Mara Provincial Parks. As well, privately-owned marinas and the towns of Sicamous, Chase, Salmon Arm and Canoe all have boat launches. The closest communities to the park are: Seymour Arm, Anglemont, Celista, Scotch Creek, Blind Bay, Eagle Bay, Sicamous, Mara Lake, Tappen, Sorrento and Salmon Arm.

Maps and Brochures

Any maps listed are for information only – they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

• Park Map [PDF 301KB]
• Brochure [PDF 145KB]
• Area Map [PDF 5.47MB]

Nature and Culture

• History: The area is named after the Shuswap Secwepemc First Nations people, the most northern of the Salishan speaking people. This group was the first to inhabit the region, as evidenced by kekulis (semi-underground pit houses), which have been found at Scotch Creek and nearby Herald Provincial Park. Kekulies may be found in many of the locations of Shuswap Lake Marine Park. Pictographs or rock paintings have also been discovered around Shuswap Lake. During the nineteenth and early twentieth century, European explorers, fur traders and surveyors came to the area. Then in the late 1800’s, gold was discovered, and the population in the area soared. Today, little remains of these historic tales.
• Conservation: Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the park’s natural heritage, please don’t damage or remove them Cutting of trees – live or dead – for firewood is strictly prohibited.
• Wildlife: Cougars and bears are occasionally seen here. Wildlife is potentially dangerous and may be encountered at any time. Make lots of noise when hiking where signs of bears are found. Practice safe food storage, and dispose of garbage in the containers provided. Park users should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment. Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife.

Management Planning

Management Planning Information

• Approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan [PDF 456.3KB] for Shuswap Lake Marine Park is available online in pdf format.

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Fishing

Hiking

Pets on Leash

Scuba Diving

Swimming

Waterskiing

Windsurfing

Facilities Available at this Park

Boat Launch

Campfires

Picnic Areas

Pit or Flush Toilets

Vehicle Accessible Camping

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

Winter Camping