The warm sunny climate and hundreds of lakes make the Thompson Okanagan a canoeing and kayaking oasis. Canoe some of Canada's warmest lakes and view the regions many orchards and vineyards from the waters edge. Pull over for lunch or camp overnight at the numerous sandy beaches.
Learn more about Canoeing in:
Wells Gray Provincial Park
Christina Lake
Kamloops area Do you have a great BC canoe story to tell? Let other visitors know by writing a blog!
Canoeing in Thompson Okanagan
Canoeists can enjoy incredible scenery, lake-front orchards, beautiful sunny weather, and warm lakes both large and small. Paddle past ancient First Nations pictographs backed by immense old-growth cedars, or lakefront orchards and vineyards. One of the best places to canoe in the Okanagan is Wells Gray Provincial Park, one of Canada's largest and most spectacular parks, and which includes the spectacular Helmcken Falls, more than twice the height of Niagara Falls and the world-famous Murtle Lake, the largest paddle-only lake in North America.
The region's climate is one of the warmest and driest in Canada, so a sunny excursion is almost guaranteed.
Guided Canoe Tours and Rentals
Fully-catered guided tours or bare-bones canoe rentals put many of the region's canoe routes within the reach of inexperienced - but reasonably fit - paddlers. Canoes or sea kayaks can be rented near some of the more popular paddling destinations or via lodges, guest ranches and most towns. Some businesses will provide shuttle services between start and end points. Consider renting a canoe cart (a small detachable frame with wheels) that makes portaging considerably easier.
Getting There
The Thompson Okanagan is easy to navigate in a car. All destinations within the region are within a half- to full-day's drive from either Vancouver, Calgary (Alberta) or Edmonton (Alberta). Rental cars are available in all major cities as well as at Kelowna International and Kamloops airports. Nearly as flexible are the commercial bus lines such as Greyhound Canada which offer services to just about every city and town in the region. Scheduled services connect them to one another, as well as to other parts of BC and beyond.
When to Go
The best paddling in the region is generally from May – September.
Practical Points and Water Safety
- Test your competency before embarking on a self-guided canoe journey.
- All paddlers should be able to launch the canoe from shore, paddle it in a straight line, turn it in both directions and steer to avoid obstacles.
- Take head winds into consideration - they can significantly increase the duration of your trip
- Proper planning, preparation, and clothing appropriate to the conditions, and an adequate food supply are essential.
- Canoes must have a Canadian approved lifejacket or PFD (personal floatation device) of the appropriate size for each person on board.
- Fishing is permitted on many lakes and rivers in compliance with the BC Non-Tidal Sports Fishing Regulations. A BC fishing licence is required and may be purchased at resorts and sporting goods stores.
- Please leave the area you visit undisturbed and be sure to carry out your garbage.
- Bears, wolves and other wildlife inhabit the region. Do not get too close to or attempt to feed wild animals. Canoe routes in provincial parks usually have metal bear-proof caches to store odorous items that could attract bears.
Learn more about canoeing safety here
Thompson-Okanagan Canoe Highlights
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.
Did You Know?Murtle Lake, in the southeastern portion of
Wells Gray Provincial Park, is North America's largest paddle-only lake.
Attributes: - Rated: easy to intermediate
- Approximate time required: single day to multi-day trips
- 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
- The lakes in the park are large and sometimes experience strong, gusty winds.
>Wells Gray Park website
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Christina Lake
Situated along Highway 3, near Grand Forks, Christina Lake is one of BC's most popular water recreation destinations. The 18 km lake is reputedly the warmest tree-lined lake in Canada, with average summer water temperatures of 20°C (68°F). No wonder then that it's a favourite location for swimming, water-skiing, canoeing, kayaking, and windsurfing.
While the southern half of the lake buzzes with motor boats, paddlers will appreciate the more tranquil north end, which is surrounded by the Monashee Mountain wilderness of Gladstone Provincial Park. Here, you'll find several pleasant camping spots and sandy pocket beaches, along with old growth cedar and hemlock forests, Aboriginal pictographs and 48 km of hiking trails – some only accessible by watercraft.
Bring your fishing gear: the lake offers excellent opportunities for Kokanee, rainbow trout and small-mouth bass.
Canoe and kayak rentals as well as guided tours are available in the lakeside community of Christina Lake.
Attributes: - Rated: easy
- Approximate time required: a few hours or several days
- Paddlers are advised to keep close to the shoreline, as the middle of the lake can have a fair bit of motor boat traffic, particularly around midday.
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Kamloops Area
There are 200 lakes and rivers within an hour's drive of
Kamloops, and many more than found in the Kamloops region.
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.
Attributes: - Rated: easy to intermediate
- Approximate time required: varies by route
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