Sicamous

"Sicamous" is an adaptation of a Shuswap language word meaning "river circling mountains".

History

In the 1800s, Sicamous and area was inhabited by a semi-nomadic Indigenous nation called the Secwepemc or Shuswap. They crossed the Rocky Mountains to hunt buffalo on the plains. In this area they were called the "Schickamoos".
In 1864, gold was discovered on the Columbia. Seymour Arm became a supply centre in the Big Bend Gold Rush. In 1885, permanent settlers arrived after the driving of the Last Spike at Craigellachie, which linked Canada sea to sea. Among the first settlers in Sicamous were families from Finland. Old Town, or Eagle Pass Landing as it now known, became an almost instant town in 1871. It was the central supply centre for railway construction. Today it is used primarily for recreational purposes such as sledding, houseboating, hiking, swimming, and biking.
Later, in the early 1900s, CPR hill became a residential development. Finlayson's store and a jail were built in 1892, adding a post office in 1904. The first school opened around 1908.

The town is at the junction of the Trans-Canada Highway 1 and BC Highway 97A. Driving from Vancouver, it is a little past the half-way point to Calgary.

Sicamous is directly around the Trans-Canada Highway, and so travelling by car is the best way to get anywhere. If you want to see the lake, the best way is by boat. It is an excellent idea to hire a houseboat and travel around the lake, or if you are short on time, hiring a speedboat is always a fun and quick way to admire the scenery of the hills and lake. There are even 2 stores in the middle of the lake in the summer for supplies.

• D Dutchmen Dairy

  phone: +1 250-836-4304
  address: 1321 Maeir Road
  Farm fresh dairy store and zoo of exotic animals including llamas, donkeys, goats and exotic birds, as well as the calf barn, milking parlour and cheese making plant which tourists can enjoy. The dairy store has served millions of old-fashioned ice cream cones in an array of flavours.

• The Last Spike

  address: Trans-Canada Highway, Craigellachie
  A plaque and display commemorate the site where the last spike in the Canadian Pacific (trans-continental) railway was hammered in.

Houseboating

Sicamous is the houseboating capital of Canada, and is the base for numerous operators. A Pleasure Craft Operator Certification (pleasure boat licence) is not mandatory, but a valid driver's lcence is required, and it's best to inquire with rental company. It's best to reserve ahead of time.

• Bluewater Houseboats

  phone: +1 250-836-2255
  address: 110 Weddup Street
  Fleet consists of 6 unique boat styles with various rates to suit different vacation budgets.

• Remote Escape Vacations

  address: 709 Riverside Avenue

• Twin Anchors Houseboat Vacations

  phone: +1 250-836-2450
  address: 200 Old Town Road West
  Variety of houseboat options available; comprehensive orientation for operating a houseboat provided.

• Rent Inspiration

  address: 1210 Young Crescent
  Luxury houseboats.

Beaches

Mara Lake

• Cartier Beach

  address: Cartier Road
  A sandy oasis tucked in a residential area. Small and intimate.

• Mara Provincial ParkA day-use provincial park, the park is open with services from May 1 to September 27. Mara Provincial Park is dedicated to intensive recreation, providing opportunities for public recreation access and use of Mara Lake, with emphasis on swimming, picnicking and boat launching. Mara Provincial Park provides good sandy beaches and the only major public access and boat launch on Mara Lake.

• Two Mile Beach

  address: Tecumseh Avenue
  A quiet beach that highlights amazing sunsets, a lighthouse and Hyde Mountain Golf Course.

Shuswap Lake

• Silver Sands Beach

  address: Finlayson Street
  A beautiful sandy beach with a designated swim area. Enjoy the playground, splash water park, picnic tables, volleyball court and washrooms. The perfect place to play or relax while watching the boats head up the lake or wave to the train conductors as they pass by. Parking s available on Finlayson St; there is also parking along Silver Sands Rd.

Golf

• Eagle River Golf & Country Club

  phone: +1 250-836-4454
  address: 1450 Husky Frontage Road
  A 9-hole golf course.

• Hyde Mountain of Mara Lake Golf Course

  phone: +1 250-836-4653
  address: 9851 Old Spallumcheen Road
  An 18-hole golf course overlooking Mara Lake.

Go-karts

• Kelly's Go-karts

  phone: +1 250-836-5594
  address: 1230 Titus Road
  Go-karts, for all ages.

Shops include Askew's (a general grocery store), Beach Chic (a clothing store), BC Liquor Store, Brothers liquor store, Moose Mulligans liquor store, IDA pharmacy, and a furnishings and souvenir shop.

• Joe Schmucks RoadHouse

  phone: +1 250-836-4906
  address: 734 Trans-Canada Highway
  Family friendly, fully licensed restaurant has fresh homemade meals, daily specials, great service and a cozy atmosphere.

• Grandma's & Grandpa's

  phone: +1 250-836-2713
  address: 1133 Eagle Pass Way
  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; breakfast served until 2PM; pizza and pasta served after 2PM.

• Moose Mulligans Public Eatery

  phone: +1 250-836-3603
  address: 1122 Riverside Ave
  Good bar and restaurant, and not too expensive. Moose Mulligan's serves a variety of sandwiches, fish and chips, seafood, mexican cuisine and more. The restaurant is child-friendly, offering a kids menu. Of course, as in the rest of British Columbia, under 19s cannot go to the bar or the liquor store (of the same name) which is attached to the restaurant. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating, a car park and space to moor boats as it overlooks the river.

• Licks n Splits Ice Cream

  phone: +1 250-836-0129
  address: 325 Main St
  Excellent, reasonably priced, soft-cream ice cream. Open in the summer. The store offers 30-50 flavours of ice cream and also sells slushies, ice cream cakes and drinks. There are picnic seats outside.

• Brothers Pub

  phone: +1 250-836-2337
  address: 420 Main Street
  Another bar attached to a liquor store. As with the other places in the town, the pub has a small, community feeling, but is still a good night out.

• Blondies

  phone: +1 250-515-2000
  address: 302 Finlayson St
  Gourmet espressos, lattes, and frappes; hand-made gourmet sandwiches and wraps crafted with locally-sourced Okanagan ingredients.

Hotels & motels

• Anchor Riverfront Motel

  phone: +1 250-836-2546
  address: 1321 Trans-Canada Highway
  16 non-smoking rooms, 2 bedroom units, 5 self-contained RV sites (no hook-ups), tenting sites available

• Best Western Sicamous Inn

  address: 806 Trans Canada Highway

• Joe Schmucks RoadHouse

  phone: +1 250-836-2290
  address: 734 Trans-Canada Highway
  Alpine style motel. Features private hot tubs and pet-friendly units.

• Paradise Motel

  phone: +1 250 836-2525
  address: 517 Main Street
  Large family suites with kitchenettes, outdoor heated pool, picnic shelter, high speed internet, dog friendly (additional charge).

• Super 8

  phone: +1-250-836-4988
  address: 1120 Riverside Ave
  On the shores of Mara and Shuswap Lakes in downtown Sicamous.

• The Cedars Paradise Motel

  phone: +1 250-836-3175
  address: 1210 Paradise Ave
  7 unique log-constructed accommodation units with rich log interiors, nestled in amongst cedar trees, downtown lakeside location.

Camping

• Cedars RV Resort

  phone: +1 778-212-2151
  address: 3499 Luoma Road, Malakwa

• Crazy Creek Resort

  phone: +1 250-836-4097
  Midway between Sicamous and Revelstoke. RV Park which also offers hot pools, waterfalls, hiking, and vacation suites.

• Family Tree Riverside RV & Campground

  phone: +1 250-836-2583
  Offering full, partial, non serviced sites, and cabins with plenty of room between sites.

• Sicamous KOA

  phone: +1 250-836-2507
  address: 3250 Oxbow Frontage Rd, Malakwa, BC

• Whispering Pines RV & Tent Campsite

  phone: +1 250-838-6775
  address: 11 Hamilton Road, Mara, BC
  Whispering Pines is a family oriented pet friendly RV and tenting campsite 2 km south of Mara Lake.

• Yard Creek Provincial ParkYard Creek Provincial Park is part of the Interior wetbelt characterized by and old growth forest. The park has 65 quiet shaded tent and RV camping sites, hiking trails, and a popular day-use area with a log picnic shelter.

• Kelowna and the Okanagan, with its skifields, beaches and wineries, is an 1-2 hour drive south of town on Highway 97A.