Hello! I'm starting to plan a summer trip through BC and was looking at camping in the Salmon Arm area. I've looked up several campgrounds so far but the reviews for them have been almost universally terrible (noisy/dirty/stupid expensive). Does anybody have a favourite/clean/safe tent camping site in the area? Have a good day!
Well...Salmon Arm is close to a lot of places...so you're certainly not limited in choices where to camp. What is your idea of camping anyway? Primitive sites that are way off the beaten track, Provincial campgrounds, or private campgrounds with all sorts of amenities?
You have the big provincial site Heralds park (on the lake, in whats called sunnybre) Piers point, Sandy point, Glenn echo are on the lake. There are a couple in town but do not remember their names. If the spots are filled, drop me a PM.
What's your itinerary anyway? Anything within a certain distance of the TC certainly can be,and is, a zoo in the summer.:eek1 I'd avoid anything close to the lakes with access ramps for the boats....jetskis etc...etc...!:eek1 Much more laid back in the Kootenays.
For this trip I'm looking more for something in the Provincial/Private/Municipal type. I wish I had more time, but I'm going to be zipping through the area rather quickly. It's likely only going to be for one night. I don't mind too much if it's a little more expensive, but clean, quiet, and not located where only mountain goats can get to it would be a plus.
That's a good point - I hadn't thought about the summer lake crush. Hmm... I was hoping to do this sometime in July to take advantage of the longer days. I'm doing a couple of long days when I first head out of Manitoba and then start taking some smaller ones as I move further west. I plan to head up to Bella Coola, and I'm just hammering out the schedule at this point. Salmon Arm is a comfortable distance from what I expect to be my previous stop (Canmore).
Bella Coola....Heckman! Well named that pass! Well Salmon Arm...there is a Home restaurant there, at least you can fill the belly.
Make sure to get a reservation if you are going to stay at a provincial campground, could be busy in July.
Oh! forgot yesterday, great camping spot on HWY 20 and probably the best food on that Highway. http://www.clearwaterlakelodge.com/ $20.00....hot VERY clean showers, quiet as in nobody around but the loons and best of all NO boats. Only takes a couple of them to wreck my camping experience. Only one at Fintry last summer....!
South of Sicamous (and east of Salmon Arm) is Mara Lake. We stayed at a private campground just south of the Provincial Park (day use/beach - no camping) on the lake. Was very nice!
The Lions Campgorund along the river in Chase is another good spot. http://www.chasechamber.com/business.php?id=144. Check for availability. Chase Lions Campground
I like Chase. And from there the Kamloops-Shushwap road to Kamloops, beats the TC anytime. A little gravel/cattle guards/cattle avoidance practice for later on HWY 20.
5-5.5 HRS from Calgary to S/A 4-4.5 HRS from Canmore to S/A Check out the BC forestry camp sites on line, you might just like Wop lake south of three valley gap or head over the kingfisher FSR to noisy creek for some entertainment.
South of Three Valley Gap is the Wap river about 20kms, but you will cross a couple of gravel pits in the first couple of kms which would be okay for free wild camping. Its a good road for the most part,I've done in my wifes Acura( she doesn't know this)
