Revelstoke Water Activities

The sun has just come out and we are in full summer swagger in Revelstoke. The crystal clear lake encourages fun on the water and when that lake backs onto a mountain range, that’s just icing on the cake. Whether you are a whitewater enthusiast or a slow paddler Revelstoke has something for everyone available in close proximity. For a fun filled water day, why not try one or two of the adventures below:

Canoeing

Going for a leisurely canoe ride or giving it your all, the views in Revelstoke are some of the best, if we don’t say so ourselves. If you are looking to rent, or be taken on a tour, Flexpeditions offers both. Check them out: https://www.flexpeditions.com/

Sea Kayaking

Explore Lake Revelstoke in a beautiful kayak. Whether you just need a rental or a full tour, Natural Escapes Kayaking can hook you up with some of the best kayaks in the area. Check them out: http://www.naturalescapes.ca/

Whitewater Kayaking

If you want to step it up a notch and take your kayak out on some whitewater, Flexpeditions has both daily tours and full immersion weekends built for beginners through to advanced paddlers. Check them out: https://www.flexpeditions.com/

Water Rafting

If you haven’t tried a rafting trip, it’s highly recommended and available for families and adventure seekers alike. Hop in for some fun and take Apex Rafting up on their offer to explore 26 km on a mountain river. Check them out: https://www.apexrafting.com/

Standup Paddleboarding

If you are looking to try something new, head down to Free Spirit Sports and rent a SUP to experience the water on a different level plus the added benefit of an inflatable board easily fitting in your vehicle for family friendly fun. Check them out: http://www.freespiritsports.com/

Swimming

If you are looking for a family friendly easy day on the water, head down to Williamson Lake for a swim. The water is beautiful and the park is full of fun activities like mini golf. Pack a picnic for the ultimate outing. Check them out: http://williamsonlakecampground.com/

Where To Swim In Revelstoke

With summer in full swing here in Revelstoke swimming often comes to mind when the weather gets hot. If you’re looking for a quick dip into Glacier fed waters then Lake Revelstoke will suit for sure. And although Revelstoke isn’t known as a warm water destination, locals have a few favourite spots to cool down after a long bike ride or hike through the alpine.

Blanket Creek Provincial Park

Blanket Creek is about 40km South of Revelstoke on Arrow Lake. The lagoon at Blanket is a must see and only a short distance from thundering Sutherland Falls.

Learn more about: Blanket Creek

Photo credit: tracksandtrails.ca

Swimming in Martha Creek Provincial Park

Martha Creek is located 23 km north of Revelstoke on Lake Revelstoke. The waters of Lake Revelstoke are a bit chilly, however, if you search out the inlet’s the water is far warmer. There is also a great sandy beach, boat launch and camping available on site.

Learn more about: Martha Creek

Photo credit: Martha Creek Provincial Park, Trip Advisor

Williamson’s Lake

Williamson’s Lake, popular for its warm water, is location about 10 minutes south of downtown Revelstoke. It features a nice long beach, dock, playground and is stocked with each yearly.

Photo credit: Williamson’s Lake, Trip Advisor

Echo Lake Swimming

Echo Lake, is a bit of an adventure to get to, located south of Revelstoke along Airport Way. Go past the end of the pavement and make a left at the Akolkolex Forest Service Road and follow the road a few km up into the mountain. It features warm water for swimming and a great grassy lakeside learning perfect for a picnic.

Photo credit: Roland Lamarre

Why Should You Visit?

Touring the Revelstoke Railway Museum in Revelstoke, British Columbia, allows visitors to step back in time. The museum houses several rail cars and exhibits that trace the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway, which played a vital role in Canada’s past. The CPR made it possible for people to form settlements in the western region of Canada. It also made it possible for goods to be transported easily across the country in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Family fun at the Revelstoke Railway Museum

The Revelstoke Railway Museum appeals to both children and adults. Children love seeing all of the rail cars and climbing into the locomotive simulator. Adults can appreciate the educational exhibits, such as the historic photos, antique time pieces, uniforms, HO scale models and railway tools, that are found throughout the museum. All visitors can also admire the Royal Train, which dates back to the 1930s.

Since the number of international visitors has increased over the years, the museum has set up self-guided tours that are available in several different languages. Visitors can also arrange guided tours ahead of time if they prefer that instead.

When visitors are done exploring the museum, they can enjoy the scenic mountain views while having lunch at one of the picnic tables in the yard. They can also take a look at the rolling stock and weight scale shack that are out there.

The best place to stay for easy access to the Revelstoke Railway Museum is the Swiss Chalet Motel. This accommodation is about a five minute walk or a one minute drive from the museum. It’s conveniently located on Victoria Road West. All visitors have to do to reach the museum is walk or drive southeast on Victoria, turn left onto Long Avenue and make a right onto Track Street West.

The Swiss Chalet Motel has spacious rooms with comfortable king and queen size beds. Amenities include free high-speed Internet access, free breakfast and access to a swimming pool and fitness center. Certain rooms also have a jacuzzi, balcony and refrigerator. The motel’s location makes it easy for visitors to get to several attractions in Revelstoke.

Unique Tours

Travelers who are wondering what to see in BC may want to visit the Revelstoke Dam. The dam is north of the city of Revelstoke on the Columbia River in British Columbia, Canada. The dam spans the river. The reservoir located behind the dam is Lake Revelstoke. Its surface area is 11,534 hectares.

What is the Revelstoke Dam

The Revelstoke Dam is part of a hydroelectric complex with a concrete gravity dam, a powerhouse and an earthfill dam. The concrete dam is in Little Dalles Canyon, and the powerhouse is just downstream from this dam. The powerhouse uses five generating units. Four of them have been used since 1984. The fifth unit was completed in 2011. The earthfill dam is on the river’s west bank and is 122 metres high.

Dam Tours

Visitors can take self-guided Revelstoke dam tours. These tours include a walk through the Revelstoke Dam Visitor Centre. One of the interactive exhibits in the centre gives visitors the chance to light a bulb by pedaling a bike. The history of the dam’s construction is displayed in pictures.

A First Nations gallery in the centre has exhibits on the traditions and history of First Nations who have lived in the area for over 15,000 years. Artwork from the Ktunaxa Nation, the Okanagan Nation and the Shuswap Nation is displayed in the gallery. This artwork includes hide drums and birch bark baskets. Some items in this gallery were borrowed from the Revelstoke Museum and Archives.

The next stop on the dam tour after the Visitor Centre is a scenic walkway across the top of the dam’s powerhouse. Visitors then take an elevator up 35 stories to a lookout above the concrete dam. This dam is 175 metres high. The lookout provides a spectacular view of the Columbia River. Dam tours are not available during the winter months.

Other Revelstoke BC attractions include national parks. Visitors can drive along a parkway through Mount Revelstoke National Park. This parkway goes through rainforests and meadows. A trip to Glacier National Park gives people a chance to walk across glaciers.

British Columbia visitors will find other things to do in Revelstoke. There is live entertainment during the summer at Grizzly Plaza in downtown Revelstoke. Places to visit in the area include Heritage Ghost Town, the Nickelodeon Museum and the Railway Museum.