 Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association photo
The region's climate is one of the warmest and driest in Canada, so a sunny excursion is almost guaranteed.
It doesn't matter whether you're a master paddler or a nervous novice: there's a route to suit you in the Thompson Okanagan.
A word or two on safety:
- Take head winds into consideration - they can significantly increase the duration of your trip
- Novice paddlers may be required to paddle with a friend
- Life jackets are mandatory in BC
Wells Gray Provincial Park
Wells Gray Provincial Park is one of Canada's largest and most magnificent parks. It contains many lakes, rivers and streams as well as a number of waterfalls. This includes the spectacular Helmcken Falls, which is more than twice the height of Niagara Falls. Murtle Lake, with 100 km (60 mi) of shoreline to explore, is North America's largest paddle-only lake.
The Clearwater and Azure Lakes area contains many spectacular waterfalls. Canoeists can access 16 campsites and three backcountry trailheads along the shoreline. Both lakes are approximately 22 km (14 mi) long and both offer good rainbow trout fishing. Canoeists make a 500-m (1,640-ft) portage between the lakes. Mahood Lake offers good fishing and access to three backcountry campsites.
The best weather for paddling occurs from May to late September.
Wells Gray Provincial Park is a one-hour drive north from Clearwater via the Clearwater Valley Road. If you enter the park via Clearwater Valley Road, stop in at the park's Visitor Centre for current canoeing information.
A word or two on your excursion:
- Rated: easy to difficult, depending on route
- Approximate time required: varies by route
A word or two on safety:
- Murtle Lake is a large lake and subject to gusts of strong wind - the lake often becomes choppy in the afternoon
- The outlet of Clearwater Lake has a swift current and terminates over a waterfall - obey the "no boating" signs and stay clear of the southern end of Clearwater Lake
- Clearwater and Azure Lakes are subject to short, violent storms with high winds and large waves
> Wells Gray Park website
Christina Lake
Set against the majestic Monashee Mountains in Gladstone Provincial Park, Christina Lake is exquisitely beautiful. It is also a superb canoeing destination. The water is tranquil and, if you go to the warmer north end of the lake in fall, full of spawning kokanee as well as bass and trout. There are many secluded, sandy beaches. At the east end of the lake, as you glide past ancient First Nations pictographs and immense, old-growth cedars, you'll feel like you're in paddling heaven. The route is 19 km (12 mi) long.
The best weather for paddling occurs from May through October.
Christina Lake is a 15-minute drive east from Grand Forks via Highway 3.
A word or two on your excursion:
- Rated: easy to moderate
- Approximate time required: 1 day
> Gladstone Park website
Kamloops Area
There are 200 lakes within an hour's drive of Kamloops, and more than 1,000 found in the Kamloops region. Two of the best routes are the South Thompson River and the Lupin Lakes Circuit. The South Thompson River flows westward to Kamloops with a gentle current. It offers excellent salmon, trout, Dolly Varden and whitefish fishing during the fall sockeye salmon run and pleasing views of the Thompson Valley. The Lupin Lakes Circuit is a six-hour, six-lake wilderness circuit with some short portages (the last one is uphill).
A word or two on your excursion:
- Rated: easy to difficult
- Approximate time required: varies by route
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