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History
Originally known as Trapper's Landing, after the meeting place of Shuswap Indian trappers returning with their furs, the town was renamed by James Kinghorn after the Italian town of Sorrento, because Copper Island on Shuswap Lake reminded him of the Isle of Capri, off Sorrento in Italy.
Sorrento's history dates back to the year 1910, and is today enveloped by motels, resorts, campgrounds, and summer cottages, offering a fabulous array of recreational activities, during both summer and winter.
Location
Sorrento straddles the Trans-Canada Highway, lining the south shore of Shuswap Lake. It is 25 kilometres northeast of the town of Chase and 45 kilometres northwest of Salmon Arm.
Places to See
- Sorrento Centre
For 45 years, Sorrento Centre has offered a setting for inspiration, gathering, and growth. Year round, the staff welcome groups and organizations from throughout British Columbia, Alberta, and across Canada and the United States. With affordable lodging and conference/retreat facilities, and very cost-effective cabin and camping options, Sorrento Centre meets the conference, retreat, family reunion, seminar and meeting needs of businesses, government and social agencies, special interest groups and service clubs, musicians, schools, youth programs, and churches.
- Shuswap Lake Marine Provincial Park
Shuswap Marine is comprised of 26 sites located around the perimeter of Shuswap Lake. All locations are popular for fishing and water sports; hiking and nature study are popular at some sites. Some sites are road accessible, but most are water-access only. Facilities at the sites vary from nothing to 3 or 4 wilderness tenting sites with a pit toilet. Anglers take note: Shuswap Lake contains 19 species of fish!
Shuswap Lake is shaped like an addled H, and is made up of four large arms: the Shuswap Lake Main Arm, Seymour Arm, Anstey Arm, and Salmon Arm. The product of the glacial scouring that also rounded the surrounding Shuswap Highlands, all four arms converge at Cinnemousun Narrows, northeast of Sicamous.
- Shuswap Lake Provincial Park
A very popular destination, the park operates at capacity from early July to Labour Day (early Sept).
The park is situated on the old delta of Scotch Creek, has one kilometer of sandy, pebble beach, and includes the whole of Copper Island. The park also offers a large grassy play area, an adventure playground, a large boat launch. and a self-guiding nature trail.
Boaters may wish to visit Copper Island, located two kilometres offshore. A 2.8 km hiking trail provides beautiful views of the area. Please note that camping and campfires are prohibited on the island.
Supplies, groceries, and many recreational opportunities including bumper boats, mini-golf driving range, go-carts, para-sailing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, boat and jet-ski rentals are offered by near-by businesses.
- St. Mary's Church
The beautifully restored St Mary's Church dates back to the early 1900s.
- Copper Island
Copper Island offers 3 kilometres of winding trails that circle the island, and a trail up to the summit (488 metres) that provides superb vistas of Shuswap Lake.
- Herald Provincial Park
Herald Provincial Park is a popular destination campground and day-use area. The park covers 79 hectares of beautiful beach and forested uplands, and boasts a 119-site campground, boat launch and large day-use area. Swimming, fishing and bird-watching are popular activities, as is the self-guided nature walk to Margaret Falls. Just 14 kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway along the western shore of the Salmon Arm of Shuswap Lake, Herald is a great spot to use as a base camp for visiting the many attractions of the Shuswap area.
- Larch Hills Cross-Country Area
The Larch Hills cross-country ski area, 20 kilometres from Salmon Arm, is home to some of BC's finest ski trails. With 125 kilometres of trails, about 43 kilometres of which are track set, there is no shortage of variety for the cross-country ski enthusiast - classic, skating, and backcountry/unset.
The Larch Hills Nordic Society maintains a chalet next to the parking lot, Cec's Cabin about 6K up Larch Hills Road, and Tom's Shelter about 4K up Woodlot Ramble. It also maintains all the tracksetting equipment, including a Pisten Bully 200 and safety toboggans. There are no trail fees but donations are encouraged to help with these expenses.
- Niskonlith Lake Provincial Park
Niskonlith Lake offers rustic camping and is popular for swimming, fishing and boating. There are limited facilities, so campers should be self-sufficient.
- Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park
This is a fascinating place to visit at any time of year, but particularly in early October during the run of the Adams River sockeye salmon. Every 4th year is a "dominant" run, with millions of fish to be seen (2010 will be a dominant run). The Adams River Salmon Society coordinate the celebration known as the 'Salute to the Sockeye' during the dominant years. 2003 and 2007 were both dominant years; 2011 will be the next. These years often have substantial returns of sockeye and offer excellent viewing opportunities. During the last three weeks of October in years where there isn't a 'dominant' or 'sub-dominant' return, a small number of salmon begin their spawning cycle. The best place to view spawning salmon will be in the channel next to the parking lot.
Note that this park does not offer any camping facilities whatsoever. The 26 kilometre trail system is used for cross-country skiing & snow-shoeing in winter, for hiking and mountain biking in summer.
In addition Huihill Creek was recently added to Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park as a result of recommendations made in the Kamloops Land and Resources Management Plan. It is now officially a portion of Roderick Haig-Brown Park.
Things to Do
- Fishing
The Shuswap Lake area supports an exciting diversity of fish species, including Kamloops, Rainbow, Bull, and Eastern Brook Trout, Kokanee, Whitefish, Lingcod, and Perch.
Other lakes nearby include White Lake, Arthur Lake, Bolcan Lake (Falkland area), Gardom Lake, Humamilt Lake, Joyce Lake, Mara Lake, Pinaus Lake, Skimikin Lake, and Spa Lake.
- Golf
A diverse landscape, and more sunshine per year than many regions in BC, provides the Shuswap with a variety of golf courses to meet the needs of all golfers. Easy access from Vancouve, Kelowna, and Calgary along the Shuswap Lakes makes this region one of BC's favorite vacation destinations.
You'll find many styles of golf courses in the region, including championship courses, pitch and putts, and nine-hole executive courses. The golf season starts in early April and lasts through October.
- Lake Tours
Cruise beautiful Shuswap Lake aboard the Phoebe Ann, which can hold 40 passengers (and canoes or kayaks). Take a tour to the Cinnemousun Narrows, one of the more popular cruises. Many of the sights can only be seen from the water, like the Indian pictographs, estimated to be hundreds of years old. The Phoebe Ann stops at numerous lakeside locations year-round, except when ice makes travel impossible.
- Kayaking
Go as a group or go alone. Single or tandem kayaks are available. For the more adventurous and experienced, tackle the Adams Lake rapids. Paddle out to Copper Island and hike the provincial park trails. Extreme Cliff diving is now available on Copper Island.
- Hiking
Slow it down a bit and enjoy the sights of the alpine and sub-alpine areas of the North Shuswap/Monashee range.
Events
- Farmers' Market
You can't beat fresh Shuswap produce! The Farmers' Market starts the 2nd Saturday in May and ends in October. Saturdays from 8:00am to noon in Shoppers' Plaza.
- Canada Day Celebrations
Held across the Shuswap region, this event features parades, pancake breakfasts, children's activities, music, entertainment, games, races, loggers show, crafts, beer gardens, Strawberry Socials, concessions, and fireworks.
- Shuswap International Film Festival
A renowned long-running festival in a unique theatre. Held every year at the Salmar Classic Theatre in Salmon Arm.
Contact Information
South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce & Visitors' Centre
Box 7, Sorrento, B.C. V0E 2W0
Located at 2405B Centennial Drive, Blind Bay, B.C.
Telephone: 250-675-3515
Fax: 250-675-3616
E-mail: sorrentochamber@telus.net
Website: www.southshuswapchamberofcommerce.org
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