Your paddle cuts into crystal clear water as you scan the wild shoreline of Slocan Lake with a loaded-up Canoe. For a moment your gaze breaks from being mesmerized by the clear blue water and you take a moment to admire the mountain peaks of the Valhalla range that line the horizon. Moments like these are aplenty while exploring the Arrow Lakes and Slocan Valleys.
The Arrow Lake Slocan region is a paddler’s paradise with countless undiscovered inlets, opportunities to view nature, and little to no crowds. Whether you are enjoying the solitude of Arrow Lakes, canoe tripping on Slocan Lake, enjoying one of the many smaller lakes such as Box Lake, and Summit Lake, or navigating rapids on the Slocan River, there are plenty of options for paddling adventures in the region.
Arrow Lakes
Arrow Lakes is underrated gem sitting between the Monashee and Selkirk Mountain ranges with a length of 230km. With crystal clear water, epic views of the surrounding mountain peaks and an extensive wild shoreline to explore, you could easily spend a whole summer here and still find new places to paddle. If you visit this lake in the summer, you’ll find yourself paddling to remote beaches and enjoying a refreshing dip with a little slice of paradise all to yourself.
Naomi Mckay, an avid paddler who lives on the outskirts of Nakusp, says that Arrow Lakes is one of her favourite places to paddle because it is surrounded by “an inland temperate rainforest. It’s a unique climate in that, there’s mossy forests, large cedars, and huge ferns. The average winter temperature is just below freezing, so, it’s not like the typical interior, freezing cold winter.” This unique climate is what keeps Naomi paddling all year round: “On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day I’m out there paddling in a dry suit, because you have to dress for the water temperature, not the outside temperature, but, but it’s calm, it’s beautiful and you have the opportunity to paddle,” said Naomi.
If you want to paddle Arrow Lakes close to town, we recommend launching at the Nakusp Marina and Boat Launch. If you want to explore the more wild parts of the shoreline, we recommend you start your journey south of Nakusp at McDonald Creek Provincial Campground where the lake is narrower and the remote western shoreline is more accessible.
Slocan Lake
Slocan Lake a bright blue, crystal clear, 300 metre deep, 39-kilometer-long, lake that’s wedged between the Valhalla and Selkirk Mountain Ranges. This lake is a favourite for multi-day paddle trips. When tripping you can choose between 8 provincial park campgrounds along the western edge of the lake and one camping area on the eastern edge of the lake. Along the way there are sandy beaches, waterfalls, and opportunities to hike up into the mountains. To complete this trip, we recommend you start either at New Denver in the North, or Slocan at the south and work your way to the other community. The Smiling Otter Canoe and Kayak https://www.smilingotter.com/ in Slocan is a business that offers rentals, and shuttles to make your trip even easier!
Note: at the time this was written, the Wee Sandy Creek, Sharp Creek, Nemo Creek campsites are closed due to wildfires that swept through the area in 2024. For the current status of backcountry camp sites on Slocan Lake check the Valhalla Provincial Park website: https://bcparks.ca/valhalla-park/#advisories
Box Lake
Box Lake is situated East of Nakusp off Highway 6 as you begin to enter the Selkirk Mountains. Naomi shared that she recommends the lake because of its “stunning views of the mountains, it’s great campsite, and because there’s tons and tons of fish, birds and also turtles.” The lake is stocked with rainbow trout, eastern brook trout, and kokanee, making it an ideal place for anglers! The campground can accommodate up to 32-foot RVs and the area also offers Mountain Bike trails for those who want to make it a multi-sport adventure! By mid-summer the lake warms up to a nice temperature for swimming and the towering cedar and hemlock trees surrounding the lake provide a cool and shady retreat from the mid-day sun.
Summit Lake
If you continue east on highway 6 past Box Lake, you’ll pass by Summit Lake. Summit Lake is situated within a beautiful 6-hectare park in the Selkirk mountains where you might be lucky to witness mountain goats clamouring through the nearby rocky outcrops, thousands of toads migrating to the forest to hibernate in the fall or beavers going about their daily lives. “Every time I’ve been on that lake, I’ve seen beavers,” said Naomi. Even if you don’t get lucky to see wildlife, the scenery alone is worth the trip. There are jagged rocky peaks that surround the lake and three small islands within it that are lovely to explore. Summit Lake has two campsites for those who want to spend the night and a great picnic area for day trippers.
Slocan River
If you’re looking to paddle some moving water, the Slocan River offers opportunities for a lazy river paddle, whitewater kayaking, and rafting. Along the stretch between Slocan and Crescent Valley Beach you will find sandy beaches, small islands, and views of the surrounding mountains. In the heat of summer be prepared to share the space as this section of river can be popular for recreational floaters. Note: there are some rapids at Lemon Creek, Winlaw, Slocan Park and a few S-turn style rapids below Slocan Park including one last rapid before the takeout at Crescent Valley Beach. If you are nervous of rapids but still want to experience this river you should check out Endless Adventure (https://endlessadventure.ca/) for guided white water kayak and rafting trips on the Slocan River.
