Salmon Arm lies on the shores of Shuswap Lake, a primary focus for outdoor recreation, while the surrounding highlands and mountains add depth to the recreational menu.
Get out the binoculars and telephoto lenses around Salmon Arm Bay, a vital wetland unique in the BC Interior. Home to the largest breeding colony of western grebes in the province, it's also a nesting ground and resting area for migrating birds. Some 250 of the 500 species known in BC make use of this marshland each year.
Water Activities
Lounge on the beach, swim in the warm waters of Shuswap Lake or take a stroll on the 300m/984ft curved Salmon Arm Pier. Canoe or kayak around the wetlands in Salmon Arm Bay or load the family aboard a houseboat and motor off to one of the secluded coves or beaches of Shuswap Lake Marine Park. Water skiing, wakeboarding and windsurfing are popular on areas of the lake away from the wetlands. Anglers, troll in Shuswap Lake, fly cast for trout in renowned White Lake or dangle a line in the myriad small lakes in the surrounding highlands, also great for ice fishing.
Land Activities
Trails for hiking, cycling and horseback riding abound in and around Salmon Arm. Walk the foreshore of Shuswap Lake for a close look at the marshland, take to the countryside for a quiet rural ride or head to the highlands for easy to challenging outings on forest trails, logging roads and cross-country ski trails.
Walk to a waterfall, hike among the wildflowers in a mountain meadow or jack up the adrenaline on a technical mountain bike ride. For a little more tame adventure, tee up for a round of golf on one of Salmon Arm's championship or executive courses.
Winter Activities
Free-heelers, strap on the cross-country skis and tackle trails at the Larch Hills Cross Country Ski Area, 20km/12mi from Salmon Arm. Many summertime hiking trails are also good for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, although they aren't groomed or track-set. Conditions for snowmobiling are ideal on the Fly Hills plateau just 10 minutes from Salmon Arm. Ride more than 200km/125mi of trails with good powder and a season that reliably lasts from November to May. Hockey fans, take in a game of the Salmon Arm SilverBacks Junior A hockey team at the Sunwave Centre.
History & the Arts
Walk right into local history at the RJ Haney Heritage Village & Museum. Visit the 1910 farmhouse, Mt. Ida Church, Broadview School, 1890s homesteader's log cabin, Chinese cookhouse, blacksmith shop, filling station, fire hall and the Queest Mountain forestry lookout tower. Explore museum exhibits and stop for homemade soup, sandwiches and pie in Marjorie's Tea Room or make reservations for the Villains & Vittles dinner theatre, a portrayal of life for early settlers performed three times weekly during July and August.
For a taste of today's culture, view the works of local and regional artists at the SAGA Public Art Gallery, located downtown in Salmon Arm's first post office building. A short walk away, Loriginals Gallery handles local painters, leatherworkers and potters while Gondwana Gallery sells the work of African artisans. In addition, several artists in Salmon Arm welcome visitors to their studios.
Fans of the performing arts take in a production of the provincial award-winning Shuswap Theatre or catch a film screening hosted by the Shuswap Film Society at the Salmar Classic Theatre.
Farms
Salmon Arm has never strayed from its agricultural roots. Buy fresh local fruits and vegetables produced by family farmers at Pedro Gonzales Fruit Stand. Wander among the apple trees and take home a bouquet from the U-cut garden at Hanna & Hanna Farm Market. Meet the animals in the petting zoo and try to make it through the corn maze at De Mille's Farm Market. Revel in the scent of the flowers over afternoon tea at Carlin Hill Lavender. Visit the cows that produce the milk that makes the cheese at Gort's Gouda Cheese Farm.
Wineries
Sample the award-winning cool climate wines of the Shuswap Lake country. Larch Hills Winery is a family-run operation located southeast of Salmon Arm. Recline Ridge Vineyards and Winery and Granite Creek Estate Wines are located in Tappen, west of Salmon Arm. All three wineries welcome visitors.
Festivals & Events
Salmon Arm is world renowned as the home of the annual Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival. Listen to jazz, blues, folk and ethnic music by top performers on the outdoor main stage, with Mount Ida and a Shuswap sunset as the backdrop.
Driving Routes
Explore Salmon Arm's provincial and marine parks, wineries, farms, museums, and seasonal outdoor recreation opportunities along the Mountains and Vineyards Circle Route. Find out more about driving routes through Salmon Arm here: Driving Routes.
Stop by the Salmon Arm Visitors Centre at 20 Hudson Ave, NE for information and brochures.
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