Shuswap River Valley · North Okanagan · BC

The River Is

Our Main Street

Where the Shuswap River carves through towering basalt cliffs, ancient forests, and a valley that invites you to slow down, breathe deep, and stay awhile.

Your Wild Backyard

A Landscape That Shaped a Town

Everything about Enderby starts with the land. The Shuswap River winds through the valley floor, lined by cottonwoods and gravel bars. Basalt cliffs rise hundreds of metres above it. The forests climb from cedar and hemlock up to high-altitude larch and wildflower meadows.

This is a place where you can spend the morning on a cliff-top trail with views that stretch to the Monashees, and the afternoon floating the river with your feet up. Five municipal parks give you easy access to the water, and a network of trails connects the valley to the backcountry beyond.

Choose your path

Open to Everyone

Municipal Parks

Park

Family-FriendlY

Barnes Park

Enderby's main community park sits right on the riverbank, with picnic areas, green space, a playground, and easy walking paths. This is where families gather, where summer evenings happen, and where the town comes together.

Soft Opening on May 19, 2026

A brand-new outdoor pool with a lazy river, expanded leisure decks, and improved accessibility is coming to Barnes Park this summer.

Park

River Access

Riverside Park

Home to the Lions Gazebo — the venue for Music by the River concerts and the Enderbeer Festival — Riverside Park stretches along the Shuswap with direct river access, walking paths, and some of the best sunset spots in the valley.

Location: 300 Kildonan Avenue, Enderby

Park

Safety Point

Tuey Park (Waterwheel Park)

A beautiful riverside park with the iconic waterwheel and picnic areas. Tuey Park is also your designated takeout point when floating the river from Belvidere Park.

⚠️ Mandatory Last Exit

You MUST exit the river here. Dangerous rapids begin immediately downstream. Read full safety warning

Park

River Access

Grindrod Park

Just south of Enderby in the village of Grindrod, this quiet park offers river access, green space, and a more laid-back feel. A good option if you're looking for a less crowded launch point or a peaceful spot to sit by the water.

Park

River Launch

Belvidere Park

The most popular launch point for the recommended Shuswap River float. Belvidere Park has easy river access, parking, and a grassy area to get your tubes and kayaks ready. From here, it's a gentle 2.5-kilometre float downstream to Tuey Park.

“The trail doesn’t care what you left behind. It only asks that you keep going.”

Lace Up & Head Out

Trails & Hikes

Moderate–Strenuous

1.5–3 hrs

Tplaqín / Enderby Cliffs

The trail that put Enderby on the map. Climb through volcanic rock and ancient forest to the top of towering basalt cliffs where panoramic views of the Shuswap valley stretch to the Monashee Mountains. Steep sections, loose surfaces, and a genuine sense of accomplishment at the summit.

Location: 300 Kildonan Avenue, Enderby

Sturdy boots required. Bring water. Not wheelchair accessible. Horses not permitted.

Easy

30–45 min

Mabel Lake Changing Rainforest Trail

A gentle one-kilometre walk through a second-growth rainforest of western cedar, hemlock, and Douglas fir near Mabel Lake. The canopy filters the light, the air smells like wet earth and cedar bark, and the pace slows to exactly where it should be.

Best for: Families, all ages, easy walking

Easy

Loop

Ashton-Brash Trail

A gently sloping mountain meadow trail in the Hunters Range. Come during wildflower season and the meadows explode with colour — lupines, paintbrush, and a dozen others. The loop keeps things easy and the views keep things memorable.

Access: Forestry Service Roads from Mabel Lake Road (4WD recommended)

Moderate

~2 hrs

LaForge Trail to Mt. Mara Lookout

Starting from Noisy Creek, this two-hour hike leads to one of the last remaining fire watch towers in the Shuswap-Okanagan region. At 7,400 feet, the high alpine views are sweeping and solitary — you can see for miles in every direction.

Access: Forestry Service Roads from Mabel Lake Road (4WD required)

Easy–Moderate

Winter Skiing

Larch Hills Nordic Trails

125 kilometres of well-maintained trails through larch and aspen forest, 20 minutes west of Enderby near Salmon Arm. In winter, this is one of BC's best cross-country ski areas. In summer, the trails open up for hiking and mountain biking through a quiet, rustling forest.

Season: Year-round (skiing in winter, hiking in summer)

Easy

Family-Friendly

Gardom Lake Interpretive Trail

Walk through old-growth forest with interpretive signs that tell the story of the forest around you. If you bring a canoe, paddle out to the two small islands in the lake and explore the trails there. A quiet, beautiful spot that kids and adults love equally.

Best for: Families, nature education, easy walking

Moderate

Seasonal

Hidden Lake

An easy-to-moderate hike along the shores of a peaceful backcountry lake. The trail follows the water's edge through mixed forest, and the stillness out here is the kind you feel in your chest. Bring a lunch and find a rock to sit on.

Get on the Water

River Routes

The Shuswap River is the heart of outdoor life in Enderby. Here are the most popular routes — from a lazy afternoon float to a full-day paddle. Always check conditions before heading out.

Easy

Recommended

1–2 hrs

Belvidere Park to Tuey Park Float

The classic Enderby float. This 2.5-kilometre stretch is gentle, wide, and perfect for tubes, air mattresses, and kayaks. The current does the work — you just lean back and watch the cottonwoods drift by. In low water, expect some shallow spots where you might need to hop out and walk your tube a few metres. That's part of the charm.

Launch: Belvidere Park

Takeout: Tuey Park (Waterwheel Park)

Distance: 2.5 km

Best for: Families, all ages

Easy

2–3 hrs

Eby's Hand Launch to Belvidere Park

An 11-kilometre stretch through the upper river. While much of this route is quiet, stay alert—the current can pick up quickly, and you will likely encounter fallen logs and sweepers around sharp bends.

Note: Eby's Hand Launch is no longer a maintained site and may be decommissioned soon. Parking is extremely limited and no longer managed.

Launch: Eby's Hand Launch

Takeout: Belvidere Park

Distance: 11 km

Best for: Half-day adventure

Intermediate

3–4 hrs

Dale's Hand Launch to Trinity Bridge

This 11-kilometre paddle is best for experienced kayakers and canoeists. Even in quiet areas, the river is unpredictable; watch for fast-moving water and debris blocking your path.

Important: Dale's Hand Launch is no longer maintained and may be decommissioned this year. Do not rely on available parking at this location.

Launch: Dale's Hand Launch

Takeout: Trinity Bridge

Distance: 11 km

Best for: Experienced paddlers

Easy

3–5 hrs

Trinity Bridge to Belvidere Park

A 13-kilometre paddle that mixes fast currents with long stretches of calm, open water. Expect some logs and sweepers, but most of this route is relaxed and scenic. A great option for a full morning or afternoon on the river with varied terrain to keep things interesting.

Launch: Trinity Bridge

Takeout: Belvidere Park

Distance: 13 km

Best for: Full-day paddlers

⚠️ River Safety Reminder

Always wear a life jacket, check current river conditions, and know your exit points before you launch. Tuey Park is the mandatory last exit — do not float past it. Read the full safety warning ↓

River Safety — Read Before You Go

The Shuswap River is beautiful, but it demands respect. These warnings exist because people have been seriously injured and lives have been lost. If you are heading out, read every word below first. Your safety depends on it.

Tuey Park — Mandatory Exit

Tuey Park (Waterwheel Park) is the mandatory last exit for all inflatables. There are no other access points for the next 12+ hours.

The water from Enderby down to Mara Lake is calm and docile. While there are no rapids, this is your absolute last exit point if you are on a tube or inflatable.

Missing this takeout means committing to a full-day journey that can take over 12 hours to reach the next available access at Grindrod. There is no way to get off the river sooner. If you are floating, you must exit here.

ALWAYS EXIT AT TUEY PARK IF YOU ARE ON AN INFLATABLE.

Kingfisher Creek — Expert Only

Kingfisher Creek is a high-risk entrance point leading directly into the Class 4 Skookumchuck Rapids. This area is for EXPERT PADDLERS ONLY.

This area is dangerous for casual floaters, tubers, or anyone without advanced whitewater training. The rapids are powerful, technical, and unforgiving. If you aren't an expert with the right gear, do not launch here.

Not for tubing. Not for beginners. Period.

General River Safety Rules

  • Life jackets are required. Wear a properly fitted PFD at all times on the water — no exceptions, regardless of swimming ability.

  • Pack in, pack out. Bring everything you carry with you back off the river. Leave no trace on the water or along the banks.

  • Watch for sweepers and log jams. Fallen trees in the current are a serious hazard. Stay alert, especially after storms.

  • Use designated access points only. Enter and exit the river at marked launch and takeout points to protect the riverbank and your safety.

  • Check conditions before you go. River levels and speed change with weather and snowmelt. What was calm yesterday may not be calm today.

  • Never go alone. Always paddle or float with at least one other person, and let someone on shore know your planned route and timing.

While You're Here

There's Always Something Happening

From riverside concerts and garlic festivals to Friday Night Lights car shows and the annual fall fair — check what's on during your visit.

© 2026 Enderby & District Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.