Hike to the Top of Copper Island at Shuswap Lake
If you are looking for a fun family adventure, make your way
out to Copper Island on the sunny North Shuswap for a day of kayaking,
swimming, picnicking and hiking.
First established in 1956 the Shuswap Lake Provincial Park is a full service destination park popular for swimming, boating, water skiing, sightseeing, canoeing, hiking, camping, snorkeling, wind surfing and fishing. The park includes an extensive day-use area and a very large campground with a good selection of amenities including a paved boat launch, adventure playground, a large grassy field, picnic tables, hot showers, pit and flush toilets.
First established in 1956 the Shuswap Lake Provincial Park is a full service destination park popular for swimming, boating, water skiing, sightseeing, canoeing, hiking, camping, snorkeling, wind surfing and fishing. The park includes an extensive day-use area and a very large campground with a good selection of amenities including a paved boat launch, adventure playground, a large grassy field, picnic tables, hot showers, pit and flush toilets.
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But the big draws of the park is the 1 kilometre long
pebbled, sandy beach and Copper Island with its 100 meters of foreshore.
The island can only be reached by water so launch your boat or kayak at the provincial park boat launch and from there make your way to the East side of the island where you will come across a small pebble beach with a sign marking the trailhead. The one-hour two-kilometre trail will take you to an elevation of approximately 135 meters where you will witness the most remarkable view of the North Shuswap. Be sure to bring along good hiking shoes as the trail can be rugged in parts and a bottle of water, The trail is moderate and suitable for people of all ages. There are some wooden benches at the top where you can rest and take in the panoramic view of the lake and the trail is lined with trees giving some much needed shady spots in the summer. The best part of this hike is that is ends at the lake where you can take a dip and cool down but it is a rocky beach so water shoes are definitely in order.
Fun Fact - Copper
Island, the only island on Shuswap Lake is home to the rare sagebrush mariposa
lily, an exquisite white and mauve flower that blooms in mid-July.
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HOW TO GET THERE – Shuswap
Lake Provincial Park is located on the north shore of the main arm of Shuswap
Lake. From Hwy #1, west of Sorrento and
north of Chase, turn onto the Squilax Road and continue driving for 19
kilometres on paved roads to the park. Copper Island is only accessible by boat
and there are no bathrooms on the island.
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