The interconnected arms of Shuswap Lake, Salmon Arm, Seymour Arm, Anstey Arm, and Mara Lake comprise the incomparably beautiful Shuswap Lake system in south-central British Columbia. In every direction, amazing vistas of evergreen forests, pristine waters, and rugged hills confront you. Hike or cycle the trails, observe the diverse species of wildlife, and enjoy swimming and water sports. If you’re feeling adventurous, try rock climbing, horseback riding, canoeing, and snowmobiling. Here are some of the best Shuswap Lake vacation rental spots to help you find the perfect place.

1. Kamloops

Surrounded by sagebrush hills and towering alpine mountains in lovely Thompson Valley, vacation rentals in the city of Kamloops offers convenient jumping off points from which to explore the Shuswap Lake system. The city itself provides endless opportunities for year-round activities. Play golf at one of the 13 courses. Angle for the famous fighting Kamloops trout. Explore the area on land on bike or horseback, or ply the waters by kayak, canoe, raft, or boat. Check out local cultural offerings at the Kamloops Art Gallery, Kamloops Museum, or Western Canada Theater.

2. Chase

Located just south of the Shuswap Lake system on Little Shuswap Lake, Chase is a small town set amidst spectacular beauty. Vacation rentals in Chase provide easy access to its beaches and public parks. Take one of the hiking trails along Chase Creek to the scenic waterfalls. Enjoy a relaxing round at the Sunshore Golf Course. When you crave a drink or a snack, head downtown to one of the rustic bakeries, delis, or coffee shops.

3. Sorrento

Sorrento lies in the southeast corner of the Shuswap Lake system along the Trans-Canada Highway. From your vacation rental, use its boat-launching sites and marinas to initiate your lake exploration adventures. Sorrento is renowned for its annual special events, which include the Shuswap Lake Festival of the Arts, Eagle Bay Days, the Sorrento Bluegrass Festival, and the Adams River Salmon Run.

4. Blind Bay

Blind Bay gets its name from the entrance to its cove on the southern end of the Shuswap Lake system, which is difficult to spot when you approach it by boat. Besides proximity to the 18-hole professional-quality golf course and full-service marina, vacation rentals at Blind Bay feature gorgeous views and easy access to activities such as sailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, and scuba diving.

5. Salmon Arm

Located on a bay at the southernmost end of the Shuswap Lake system, Salmon Arm is a small city surrounded by spectacular scenery. Vacation rentals in this beautiful city have access to unique bird watching opportunities. Hike the trail in Herald Provincial Park to the lovely Margaret Falls. Follow the trail in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park to observe the yearly sockeye salmon run, the raging rapids, and another beautiful waterfall.

6. Canoe

Situated at the northern edge of Salmon Arm on the Shuswap Lake system, vacation rentals at Canoe offer access to a beautiful pebble-sand beach with a safe swimming area, boat launch, beach volleyball courts, and picnic areas. The Canoe Creek Golf Course has 18 holes of play in an unparalleled picturesque setting.

7. Sicamous

Sicamous sits on the eastern shore of the Shuswap Lake system on the narrows between Mara Lake and Shuswap Lake. From your vacation rental at Sicamous, head for nearby family activities such as zip-lining through the forest at SkyTrek Adventure Park and thrilling to the Crazy Creek Suspension Bridge above Crazy Creek Waterfalls. The fishing at Sicamous is incomparable, and other exciting local activities include hiking, cycling, and wildlife viewing.

8. Seymour Arm

Located at the far northern end of the Shuswap Lake system, vacation rentals at Seymour Arm lie adjacent to beautiful Silver Beach Provincial Park. Stroll along the beach, and hike the trails at the park. Fish for rainbow trout, lake trout, and whitefish. Explore the lake by kayak or canoe. Enjoy water sports such as swimming, water skiing, and scuba diving. Farther north, the Upper Seymour River Provincial Park provides a rugged wilderness experience of steep mountains and extensive forests with wildlife such as caribou, moose, mule deer, and grizzlies.

9. Celista

Vacation rentals at Celista lie on the spectacularly beautiful north shore of Shuswap Lake. The area abounds in hiking trails you can follow to explore the lovely forest and shoreline. Go boating and mountain biking in the summer, and thrill to snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter. Enjoy a round of golf at the nearby 18-hole golf course.

10. Scotch Creek

Scotch Creek is the gateway to the amazing Shuswap Lake Provincial Park. Vacation rentals have convenient access to the park’s many features, including its kilometer-long sand-pebble beach, which is perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Be sure to rent a boat and head out to beautiful Copper Island, located just 1.3 kilometers offshore. Scotch Creek is great for activities such as hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing and whitewater rafting. Be sure to check out the world famous Adams River salmon run, and admire First Nation carvings and other art at Quaaout Lodge.