Things to Do in Salmon Arm, British Columbia
If you’re looking for things to do in Salmon Arm, British Columbia I’ve got you covered. For years I barely gave Salmon Arm a passing glance as I whizzed through on the Trans-Canada Highway. But trust me. After closer inspection there’s much to recommend a stop. And if you’re driving between Vancouver and Calgary it’s the perfect half way spot to get out and get a bite to eat, stretch your legs and go for a walk.
Described are eight things to do in Salmon Arm, British Columbia – all personally tested. If you have a little extra time I recommend heading to Little Shuswap Lake for a meal at Quaaout Lodge and Spa, 30 minutes away. It’s very picturesque and a beautiful spot for dinner – or the night. Don’t miss the easy hike up to stunning Margaret Falls.
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Pie in Salmon Arm – need I say more?
The Shuswap Pie Company, on Alexander Street in Salmon Arm, a one minute detour from the Trans-Canada Highway, offers a fabulous selection of baked on the premises pie, reminiscent of the Savary Island Pie Company in Vancouver. Plus they brew a great cup of coffee. Doors open at 7:30 AM Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM on Saturdays.
Farm animals and farm fresh produce
If you have screaming kids in the back of the car and you’re about to go crazy or even if you don’t have kids, pull off at DeMille’s Farm Market, the first place you hit as you enter Salmon Arm going east on the highway.
You can’t miss their water tower. Kids will love the petting farm and you will love the ambiance of the store and all the fresh produce. Pick up supplies for a picnic lunch or just browse the store. Prices are way better than Calgary and very fair, especially considering the quality.
Visit Margaret Falls – less than 30 minutes from Salmon Arm
The easy walk through the cool, shaded Reinecker Creek Canyon to Margaret Falls is one of the top things to do near Salmon Arm – and it’s family friendly too. It’s only 500 m one way to the falls through old-growth forest. There is also the option to climb the Upper Canyon Trail to a viewpoint over Margaret Falls.
You’ll find the signed trailhead off Sunnybrae-Canoe Point Road in Herald Provincial Park.
Go for a bike ride out of Salmon Arm
Biking in the Shuswap area out of Salmon Arm in south central British Columbia is a great way to spend time outdoors. But you’re spoiled for choice of bike trails. The area is home to over 675 kilometres of bike trails.
Rent a bike from Skookum Cycle and Ski in Salmon Arm. Pick up a map and get suggestions from the folks running the bike shop on what trail would be a good fit for you.
Check out the Salmon Arm café scene
Salmon Arm has come a long way since I first started stopping on drives through the town. Need a caffeine hit and delectable treats to go with it?
Check out some of the following – Pink Cherry on Hudson Ave., Ecotreats on the Trans-Canada Highway, Dolce Bistro and the Anvil Coffee Collective on Ross Street NE.
Where to get candy in Salmon Arm
For the candy lovers out there, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven if you walk into the Candy Vault on Hudson. If I were a kid my eyes would be bugging out of my head – and I’d be racked by indecision.
Look for old style candies from the 50’s and 60’s to candy I’ve never heard of. Continue your sugar fix with caramel popcorn and ice cream cones.
Drink a local beer in Salmon Arm
The Barley Station Brew Pub which you can’t miss on the south side of the Trans-Canada Highway, offers a variety of beers made on the premises.
As they say on their website – reduce your environmental footprint – the beer only has to travel 50 feet. The sampler of beer is a great way to share and the food is good too.
Eat freshly made cheese
If you like cheese, and you don’t mind a small side trip driving the back roads near Salmon Arm then head for Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm now called Grass Route Dairies.
There is signage on the Trans-Canada Highway at the western end of Salmon Arm pointing you in the right direction.
They offer a DVD about how they make their cheese – fascinating actually – and then you can sample before you buy. Gouda is obviously for sale but they make a lot of other dairy products too including a great yogurt, feta and Quark cheese. You’re welcome to walk the farm too – pat the goats and say hello to the cows.
Get a dose of nature
Head for the Salmon Arm Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and walk along the shores of Shuswap Lake. The bird life through here is wonderful and there are some great views too. The path is flat and an hour is all you really need. It’s “one of the few remaining urban wetlands where 282 bird species thrive, including the remarkable Western Grebes and their courtship dance, ” according to Salmon Arm Bay Nature Enhancement Society.
Salmon Arm accommodation
Salmon Arm is a great place to stop overnight if you’re driving the Trans-Canada Highway. You’ll mostly find a mix of chain hotels and B&B’s.
The Prestige Harbourfront Resort would be a great choice and comes highly rated.
The Inn at the Ninth Hole Bed & Breakfast is rated exceptional – and it’s just 4 kilometres from downtown.
And if you’re a fan of Tiny Home’s check out Woodland Cabins Micro Resort in nearby Sorrento.
Further reading on things to do in British Columbia
- 10 Things To Know About Shuswap Lake Houseboating
- 3 Nakusp Hot Springs in BC That Are Worth a Visit
- 11 Things to do in Revelstoke in Summer
- Things to Do in the Columbia Valley, BC & Nearby
- 21 of the Best Hikes in BC to Add to Your Bucket List
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Just make sure you visit at high tourist season in June to Sept. Otherwise it reeks here in SA. The sewage treatment plant needs replacing and they pull out all the stops during tourist season to deal with the stink but us locals get the ‘Salmon Arm breeze’ full on the rest of the year. Right down town.
It gets bad. While your here please do complain about it. The city only cares about tourists so you just might help us get it fixed!!
@Carol I had never heard that before. I hope for the local’s sake the sewage plant gets replaced in the near future.
Hi…what are some scenic hiking trails between Calgary and Vancouver? Any place I can get hiking maps online? Thanks!
@Liborio Any of the national parks have amazing trails. Stop in Mt Revelstoke National Park and hike Eva Lake. In Yoho NP don’t miss the Iceline Trail. If you can get into the Lake O’Hara area it’s all pretty darned amazing. Favourite day hikes in Banff NP are Sentinel Pass and the Plain of Six Glaciers near Lake Louise. In the fall the larches in Taylor Lake are stunning.
Hi…what are some scenic hiking trails between Calgary and Vancouver? Any place I can get hiking maps online? Thanks!
If you want something a bit fancier, the restaurant at The Prestige Harbourfront Resort does amazing seafood. You sit overlooking the nature reserve, which is full of deep green marsh plants, and the food is really unexpected. It is not super fancy, summer dresses are more than acceptable, and the atmosphere is light.
When I went I had scallops on a chicken breast with hollandaise sauce on it as a main, so unbelievably good. The price point was pretty good too, we had a fair bit of fruity cocktails with dinner and everything came under $100 easily.
@Beth Thanks for that great information. I had a look at the nature reserve for the first time in June and really very lovely. I also had a wonderful meal downtown – forget the name of the restaurant but an old bank building on the corner with an outside patio.
I was already sold on the Salmon Arm before you got into the 7 reasons — any town with a name like that deserves to be visited. But all that wonderful food and drink really sealed the deal. I would love to drive between Calgary and Vancouver. Nice to know of a great place to stop along the way.
Good Salmon and Good craft beer? Ok, I’m sold.
The British Columbia Coast is high on my priority list. Everything here looks so verdant, and the food looks like it’s right up my alley 🙂
Erik: Ths Shuswap area is a little bit of foodie heaven and well worth a stop if you explore between Calgary and Vancouver.
Good Salmon and Good craft beer? Ok, I’m sold.
The British Columbia Coast is high on my priority list. Everything here looks so verdant, and the food looks like it’s right up my alley 🙂
Salmon Arm is not on the coast. We are in the interior of BC,
It is about another 6-8 hours to get to the coast.
That being said it is a great pit stop for your trip to the coast.
I’ll stop there. Your reasoning is very convincing:)
I’ll stop there. Your reasoning is very convincing:)
Oh the Blue Canoe! Now you’re making me crave one of those delicious sandwiches. Did you happen to stop at Larch Hills Vineyard? They have the best lemony pinot gris. Well worth a trip up there.
Oh the Blue Canoe! Now you’re making me crave one of those delicious sandwiches. Did you happen to stop at Larch Hills Vineyard? They have the best lemony pinot gris. Well worth a trip up there.
You had me at pie. And THEN you had me at cheese!
@Christy I’d be really happy just hitting the pie shop too!
You had me at pie. And THEN you had me at cheese!
Now I can’t think of any reasons NOT to stop in Salmon Arm next time I’m driving through!
@Gillian The food is REALLY good in Salmon Arm.
Now I can’t think of any reasons NOT to stop in Salmon Arm next time I’m driving through!