Shuswap River Cottages and Travel Guide

The Lower Shuswap River provides a unique paddling experience for canoeists and kayakers. The peaceful waters of the lower Shuswap River flow from Mabel Lake in the Monashees, through a valley landscape of mountains, farm fields and rural villages eventually leading to Mara Lake and the Shuswap Lake and Thompson River systems.

The many switchbacks in the Shuswap River provide paddlers with over 44km of easily navigable waters between Ashton Creek and Mara Lake, and several options for single day, or multi-day village to village paddling trips.

Ashton Creek & Trinity Valley Bridge (0km) *safe launching here
The village of Ashton Creek is located just 11.5km east of Enderby along the Shuswap River. Their excellent hand-launching site at the Trinity Valley Bridge provides a safe location to start a paddling trip on the lower Shuswap River.
River Access: Public Hand Launch beside Trinity Valley Bridge
Supplies: Ashton Creek General Store
Dining: Lorenzo’s Cafe
Riverside Accommodation: Country Cottages or group camping beside hand-launching site

Enderby (11.5km)
The city of Enderby is located along the banks of the Shuswap River just 11.5km west of Ashton Creek where the river shifts its course from west to north toward Mara Lake. Shops, banks, cafes, campgrounds, grocery stores and several riverside parks, plus the Enderby Visitors Info Centre are located in Enderby, providing a convenient place to stop along the Shuswap River. Public River Access is provided on the east side of the bridge at the local park for paddlers wishing to stop.
River Access: Public Park beside east side of Bridge
Supplies: IGA Marketplace
Dining: Many restaurants incl. Riverhouse Bistro
Riverside Accommodation: Riverside RV Park & Campground or Quilakwa RV Park

Grindrod (27km)
Located 15.5km along the river north of Enderby toward Mara Lake, the village of Grindrod provides a second convenenient stop for Shuswap River paddlers. Picnic tables are located in the Grindrod Recreation Park beside the Shuswap River, just past the Grindrod Bridge. The Mayberry Store is located directly across the road offering food and supplies. The Grindrod Riverfront Pub is located along the Shuswap River, offering excellent pub food, riverside tables, and a dock and canoe landing area. Be sure to check out the unique stone fireplace.
River Access: Grindrod Recreation Park north of bridge or Dock at Riverfront Pub south of bridge
Supplies: Mayberry Store
Dining: Grindrod Riverfront Pub
Riverside Accommodation: Grindrod Waterfront B&B

Mara (38km)
Just 11km past Grindrod, the historical village of Mara is located along the Shuswap River just 6km before Mara Lake. There are several cottages, plus B&B accommodation located near the Mara Bridge along the Shuswap River in Mara, making it a convenient place to stay for a paddling trip on the Shuswap River.
River Access: Private access at each cottage and B&B
Supplies: Mara Foodliner Store
Riverside Accommodation: Shuswap River Cottages or Mara Station on the River B&B

Mara Lake (44km)
For paddlers wishing to continue past Mara to Mara Lake, the Mara Provincial Park is located on the east side of the lake, just past the entrance to the Shuswap River. Mara Provincial park provides an exceptional swimming beach, lakeside picnic tables, a boat launch and parking for paddlers wishing to connect with friends or family.
Lake Access: Mara Lake Provincial Park

Shuswap River Paddling Accommodation in Mara:
Shuswap River Cottage - cottage sleeps 6-10
Mara Station on the River B&B - two queen B&B rooms
Mara Train Station Cottage - cottage sleeps 2-4
Bearfoot Cottage - cottage sleeps 2-6