5 Best Places to Paddle Board in Kamloops, CAN

Discover the serene beauty of Kamloops, Canada.

Ever considered gliding through tranquil waters surrounded by breathtaking scenery?

The best places to paddle board in Kamloops await your adventure.

Embark on a journey through Kamloops’ picturesque landscapes. Are you ready to ride?

Map

Planning Your Paddle in Kamloops

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024, rental counts come from OpenStreetMap. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 15 °C from May through September. July is the warmest month, averaging 26 °C, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: Transport Canada counts a paddleboard as a human-powered vessel once you use it to take a trip or a crossing. A Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD of the right size is then required by law for every person, along with a sound-signalling device. No operator card is needed as long as there is no motor.
Rentals nearby: OpenStreetMap lists one place within 25 km that hires out boards, kayaks or canoes: Surfit Stand Up Paddle. Call ahead, opening times outside the main season are short.

Where to Paddle Board in Kamloops

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Kamloops Lake

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Bruker Marina and Beach Club (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, afternoon winds possible
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Rainbow trout, white sturgeon, osprey
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Surrounding hills, Kamloops Lake Beach Park
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious in windy conditions, water temperatures vary

Kamloops Lake, stretching west of the city, offers plenty of space for paddleboarders to enjoy its peaceful waters. Surrounded by picturesque hills and the quaint Kamloops Lake Beach Park, the lake is perfect for a refreshing paddling excursion.

The sunset view over the lake should not be missed, adding a touch of magic to your paddleboarding adventure.

#2 South Thompson River

🏖️ Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Riverside Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle currents, some windy conditions
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Salmon, beavers, river otters
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Sandbars, untamed riparian forests
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be mindful of water flow rate, avoid flood periods

Flowing through the heart of Kamloops, the South Thompson River offers a unique paddling experience along lush riverbanks. With its gentle currents, the river provides a relaxing glide through nature’s beauty, creating an ideal escape from the city.

Keep an eye out for the occasional sandbar, perfect for taking a break and soaking in the surroundings.

#3 Shuswap Lake

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Canoe Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, occasional wind gusts
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Salmon, eagles, loons
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Copper Island, scenic waterfront homes
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious of boat traffic, respect private property

Although a little further out from Kamloops, Shuswap Lake offers a stunning paddleboarding landscape with its numerous beaches, bays, and islands. The pristine waters promise countless opportunities for exploration and wildlife sightings.

Copper Island, located in the center of the lake, is a popular destination for paddlers seeking a challenging excursion.

#4 McGillivray Lake

🏖️ Location Type: Mountain Lake
📍 Access Point: McGillivray Lake Day Use Area (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, cool alpine waters
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Trout, loons, deer on the shorelines
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Forested shores, surrounding mountains
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Dress appropriately for high altitude, respect local rules

Nestled in the mountains just southeast of Kamloops, McGillivray Lake is an alpine paradise for anyone seeking serenity and nature. Its pristine waters and untouched ambiance make it an ideal escape from the bustle of everyday life.

Take in the beauty of the forested shores and the panoramic mountain views as you glide through the tranquil waters.

#5 Paul Lake

Koppertone, Paul Lake Provincial Park, British Columbia, Scaling by stand-up-paddling.org, CC BY-SA 4.0

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Paul Lake Provincial Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, some breezy afternoons
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Rainbow trout, ospreys, deer on the shores
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Pine forests, surrounding hills, beach areas
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect park regulations, avoid disturbance of wildlife

Paul Lake, located just a short drive from Kamloops, is a serene retreat surrounded by pine forests and rolling hills. The calm waters, accessible from Paul Lake Provincial Park, provide idyllic conditions for beginners and experienced paddleboarders alike.

With its sandy beaches and scenic shoreline, Paul Lake offers a truly picturesque paddling experience.

Kamloops sits where two rivers meet, in one of the driest, warmest pockets in British Columbia. Alberta is over the divide, Ghost Lake the windy one there, and Ontario the long drive east.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case