Paddling, Canoeing & Swimming

Blue skies and snow-capped peaks create a backdrop for your summer boating & water adventureS! Stretch out and find your piece of paradise in Valemount.

Float, Boat or Paddle

You’ve just found your happy place! Paddle through winding channels in a wildlife sanctuary, or sun yourself on warm rocks before jumping into calm pools in a cool river. It’s time for some summer water fun! Explore our waters in a kayak or canoe, on a stand up paddle board or a motorized boat. We have an abundance of lakes, creeks and rivers to explore. Make sure to pack a swimsuit, as our long summer days heat up and you be tempted to take a cool dip.

Row (or paddle) Your Boat for Water Fun!

Spend the day winding through the channels in your canoe or kayak and paddle deeper and deeper into the heart of Cranberry Marsh. It’s an important stop for waterfowl on their migration routes. Launch at sunrise or at dusk in the spring or in the fall and you’ll be sure to see some of the more than 140 species of birds that call the marsh home. We ask that you do not paddle in the area during nesting season.

Keep an eye out for hawks, eagles, geese, ducks, swifts, woodpeckers, sandpipers, owls, finches, vireos, flycatchers, chickadees, bluebirds and warblers.

Another fantastic family boating outing can be found at Cedarside Regional Park, where you can take turns playing on the sandy beach and paddling around Cranberry Lake. Do some stretches before you set out on the McLennan River, as you’ll be here for awhile. If you’re an experienced canoeist and kayaker launch near Crooked Creek Road and paddle along until you reach Old Tete Jaune Road. It’s a scenic trip, so remember to bring a camera.

What do kayakers dream of when they close their eyes at night? The river, and in this case the Fraser. There are easy, flat-water sections, but for the experienced white-water paddler, hang on and test your endurance on some of the region’s famous rapids.

Make a Wave

For some motorized water fun, launch your boat at Moose Lake in Mount Robson Provincial Park and set out to investigate your surroundings. A canoe is ideal on the Moose Marsh, as you can explore several channels and may even spot some wildlife. Motors are permitted on Moose and Yellowhead lakes; canoes may be used on both lakes but proceed with caution as the winds can pick up. Ensure you paddle close to shore should you need to get off the water in a hurry.

Kinbasket Lake — start at the Valemount Marina boat launch and survey the turquoise green waters from your motor boat or your canoe. You’ll never run out of room, as the lake extends from Valemount to Golden, BC, but be careful because when the winds pick up the lake can become treacherous. We strongly advise keeping to the shoreline in canoes and kayaks.

Launch your boat in the Fraser River at Tete Jaune Cache and cover plenty of ground. Explore some of the other streams  along the Beaver, Morkill and Raush rivers. Always check river conditions before heading out.

Kinbasket Lake really does have it all — start at the Valemount Marina boat launch and survey the turquoise green waters from your motor boat or your canoe. You’ll never run out of room, as the lake extends from Valemount to Golden, BC, but be careful because when the winds pick up the lake can become treacherous. Launch your boat in the Fraser River at Tete Jaune Cache and cover plenty of ground. Explore some of the other streams  along the Beaver, Morkill and Raush rivers, but before you go check in at the Visitor Centre for up to date river conditions.

Make a Splash

There is no better way to spend a hot summer day than bobbing along in clear, cool mountain water, floating on an air mattress or just going for a swim. Have some water fun and lay back on your floatie while you absorb the sun and the stunning mountain views. Bring the kids for a day trip to Cedarside Regional Park with its sandy beaches and tidy picnic area, or pack up and camp out at Kinbasket Lake and take a dip. If you heat up while hiking Mount Robson Provincial Park stop at Lucerne Beach on Yellowhead Lake and take a plunge in the icy cool glacial waters.