Campgrounds and RV parks near Columbia-Shuswap C, BC

Great news for budget travelers: RV rental in Columbia-Shuswap is one of the most affordable ways to experience BC's interior lakes country. On RVezy, you'll typically find travel trailers from around CAD $90 to $180 per night, campervans from $150 to $250, and larger Class C motorhomes from $200 to $350 per night, depending on season and size. For a cheap RV rental in Columbia-Shuswap, book midweek or in the shoulder season (late May or September) when prices drop noticeably. Pro tip: many Salmon Arm and Sicamous hosts offer weekly discounts of 10 to 20 percent, which adds up fast on a Shuswap Lake houseboat-alternative road trip.

Good news: a regular Class 5 BC driver's license (or its equivalent from your home province, state, or country) is all you need to rent an RV in Columbia-Shuswap. No special RV license, air-brake endorsement, or commercial license is required for any motorhome or trailer listed on RVezy. Visiting from outside Canada? Bring your home license, and an International Driving Permit if your license is not in English or French. Approved renters are generally 25 or older, and ID verification is completed quickly through the RVezy platform before pickup, so you can focus on planning your Shuswap Lake escape.

Yes, and it is one of the best reasons to book an RV rental in Columbia-Shuswap through RVezy. Every booking includes an RVezy renter protection plan plus 24/7 roadside assistance, so you are covered from the moment you drive off. The protection plan helps cover damage to the RV, giving you real peace of mind whether you are navigating the Trans-Canada Highway through Sicamous or parked lakeside at Scotch Creek. During checkout, you can choose from multiple protection tiers to match the level of coverage to your trip and budget. Full details, including what is covered and any exclusions, are available on the RVezy Help Center before you confirm your booking.

Plans change, and RVezy makes it low-risk to book. Every reservation follows the standard RVezy cancellation policy, including a full money-back grace period right after booking, so you can lock in your dates with confidence. Cancellation terms are set centrally by RVezy, not by individual hosts, so you get consistent, fair treatment whether you are renting in Salmon Arm, Sicamous, or Revelstoke. If a wildfire, highway closure on the Trans-Canada, or another unexpected event affects your trip, RVezy support can help you work through your options. Full cancellation details are on the RVezy Help Center, and customer support is just a message away before, during, and after your trip.

Yes, the Shuswap is a dog lover's paradise. On RVezy, just toggle the Pet-Friendly filter and you'll see plenty of pet-friendly RV rental options in Columbia-Shuswap whose owners welcome four-legged co-pilots. Dogs love Shuswap Lake's pebbly shorelines, the off-leash beach at Canoe Beach in Salmon Arm, and forest trails around Herald Provincial Park. Many regional and provincial campgrounds allow leashed pets, including Shuswap Lake Provincial Park and Cottonwood Cove RV Resort in Lee Creek. Pro tip: message the host before booking to mention your dog's size and any extra fees; most Shuswap hosts are easygoing and happy to chat about their pet policy.

Yes, and it is the easiest way to start your trip. Many RVezy hosts offer RV delivery in Columbia-Shuswap, dropping the RV right at popular spots like Shuswap Lake Provincial Park in Scotch Creek, Herald Provincial Park near Tappen, or Cottonwood Cove RV Resort in Lee Creek. They will level it, hook up power and water, and walk you through every system before they leave. Delivery is a great option if it is your first time renting an RV or you are flying into Kelowna (YLW) or Kamloops (YKA) and prefer not to drive a large rig from the airport. Check each listing for the delivery radius and fee, then message the host to confirm your campsite address.

You've got incredible range right from the Shuswap. From Salmon Arm, it's about 108 km (1 hr 20 min) to Kelowna, 110 km (1 hr 15 min) to Kamloops, 210 km (2.5 hrs) east to Revelstoke and the start of Glacier National Park, and around 285 km (3.5 hrs) to Banff via the Trans-Canada. Vancouver is roughly 530 km (6 hrs) west. Each RVezy host sets their own mileage policy, with many offering generous daily kilometre allowances and some offering RV rental with unlimited mileage. Pro tip: filter for unlimited-mileage listings if you're planning a bigger BC loop, and you'll save real money on a longer Columbia-Shuswap RV trip.

You're spoiled for choice. Top picks for RV camping in Columbia-Shuswap include Shuswap Lake Provincial Park at Scotch Creek (270 sites, a kilometre of sandy beach, 35 sites with electrical hookups), Herald Provincial Park near Tappen (lakefront, family-friendly), Cottonwood Cove RV Resort in Lee Creek (full hookups, marina, paddleboard rentals), Mara Lake RV Park near Sicamous (50-amp full-service sites with WiFi), and Yard Creek Provincial Park near Malakwa (forested sites along Eagle River). Pro tip: book provincial park sites through the BC Parks reservation system the moment your travel dates open, four months out, because Shuswap sites are some of the most coveted in the province.

July and August are peak Shuswap season, when lake temperatures climb into the low 20s°C and daytime air hits 28 to 32°C, perfect for swimming, tubing, and beach days. But the smart-money window is mid-June and September: warm days (low to mid 20s°C), cool nights, fewer mosquitoes, lower nightly rates, and easier campground reservations. May and early October are great for hiking and wineries with daytime highs around 15 to 20°C. Winter (December to March) brings snow and sub-zero nights but opens up nearby Revelstoke and Sun Peaks skiing. Pro tip: book your Shuswap RV trip for the first two weeks of September and you'll feel like you have the lake to yourself.

You'll be more than okay, you'll be hooked. First time renting an RV in Columbia-Shuswap is one of the easiest places to start: highways are well-maintained, campgrounds are designed for big rigs, and locals are used to RV travellers. Every RVezy host gives you a hands-on walkthrough at pickup, covering propane, water, the awning, slide-outs, and dump procedures. You can message your host any time during your trip with questions, and 24/7 roadside assistance is included. Pro tip: start with a smaller Class C motorhome or travel trailer for your first Shuswap trip, and consider delivery so your first drive is from the campground, not the highway.

You are never on your own. Every RV rental in Columbia-Shuswap on RVezy includes 24/7 roadside assistance as part of the protection plan, covering flat tires, lockouts, battery boosts, towing, and mechanical breakdowns. If something goes sideways on Highway 1 between Sicamous and Revelstoke, or on the back roads to Seymour Arm, one phone call gets help dispatched. You can also message your host directly through the app; most Columbia-Shuswap hosts know their RVs inside and out and can often troubleshoot in minutes. RVezy customer support is available before, during, and after your trip, so help is always one tap away.

Yes for Alberta, and often yes for the US with a heads-up to your host. An RV road trip from Columbia-Shuswap into Alberta is a classic route: Banff is roughly 3.5 hours east, Jasper about 5 hours via the Yellowhead. No special permission is needed for interprovincial travel. For US trips (think Glacier National Park in Montana or northern Washington), message the host before booking to confirm cross-border travel is approved and that insurance extends; many Shuswap hosts say yes. Travel to Mexico is not permitted on any RVezy rental. Pro tip: bring your passport, vehicle ownership paperwork from the host, and arrive at the border well-fueled.

Fuel is your biggest variable cost, but it's manageable. Class C motorhomes typically get 18 to 22 L/100 km, Class B campervans 12 to 15 L/100 km, and travel trailers depend on your tow vehicle (usually 15 to 20 L/100 km). Gas prices in Salmon Arm, Sicamous, and Revelstoke tend to be a few cents cheaper than the Lower Mainland, often around CAD $1.65 to $1.85 per litre. For a typical 5-day Columbia-Shuswap RV trip with about 600 km of driving, budget CAD $200 to $300 in fuel. Pro tip: fuel up in Salmon Arm or Kamloops rather than tourist hubs like Banff to save 10 to 15 cents per litre.

Earlier is better, especially for summer. BC Parks opens reservations through their Discover Camping system on a rolling four-month window, and prime lakefront sites at Shuswap Lake Provincial Park, Herald Park, and Yard Creek often sell out within minutes of opening. For July and August, set a calendar reminder for the exact day your dates become bookable. Private resorts like Cottonwood Cove and Mara Lake RV Park typically open bookings months ahead too. Shoulder season (June and September) is much easier, often bookable a few weeks out. Pro tip: if provincial sites are gone, check private RV resorts around Blind Bay, Scotch Creek, and Sicamous; they often have last-minute openings.

Honestly, they're some of the friendlier conditions in BC. The Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) runs right through the region linking Salmon Arm, Sicamous, and Revelstoke, with two lanes, wide shoulders, and gentle grades on the Shuswap side. Watch for the Rogers Pass section east of Revelstoke in winter (chains may be required November to April) and for moose and deer at dusk year-round. Summer brings construction zones and the occasional wildfire-related slowdown. Avalanche-area roads are well-signed. Pro tip: check DriveBC before heading out, especially if you're continuing toward Banff, and aim to cross Rogers Pass in daylight for the best mountain views.

You'll find excellent infrastructure across the region. Most private resorts like Cottonwood Cove (Lee Creek), Mara Lake RV Park (Sicamous), and Shuswap Falls RV Resort offer full hookups: 30 or 50-amp power, potable water, and sewer right at the site. Provincial parks like Shuswap Lake and Herald have a mix of unserviced and partial-hookup sites (35 electrical sites at Shuswap Lake Park), with centralized water fills and sani-dump stations. Public dump stations are also available in Salmon Arm and Sicamous. Pro tip: ask your host before pickup whether the RV has 30 or 50-amp service and confirm you have the right adapter; it's a small detail that saves a headache at check-in.

More comfort than you'd expect. Most motorhome rental Columbia-Shuswap listings include a queen or king bed, full kitchen (fridge, freezer, propane stove, microwave), bathroom with shower and toilet, dinette that converts to extra sleeping space, furnace, air conditioning, and a TV. Many also offer WiFi hotspots, outdoor speakers, BBQs, generators, solar panels, and bike racks. Campervan rental Columbia-Shuswap options are cozier but still include a bed, mini-kitchen, and often a pop-top roof. Every passenger needs a proper seatbelt, so check the listed sleeps versus seatbelt count when travelling with kids. Pro tip: filter by sleeps count and amenities like AC or generator to match the RV to your Shuswap Lake plans.

This is where Shuswap RV trips get fun. Popular add-ons from RVezy hosts include linen and kitchen kits ($50 to $100), camp chairs and tables, BBQs, generators, paddleboards, kayaks, and bike racks; many of these are lake-essentials in the Shuswap. Pickup is usually at the host's home in Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Blind Bay, or Sorrento, with a 30 to 60-minute walkthrough included. Mileage policies vary by host (often 200 km per day included, with extra kilometres around CAD $0.30 to $0.45), and some listings offer unlimited mileage. Pro tip: bundle the SUP or kayak add-on rather than renting separately at the lake; Shuswap hosts price these very competitively.

It is all handled securely through the RVezy platform, with no cash or e-transfers to the host. You pay the rental total (plus taxes and any add-ons) through RVezy at the time of booking using a credit card. A separate security deposit is pre-authorized on your card a few days before pickup, and the amount is shown clearly on the listing before you book. As long as the RV comes back in the same condition it left, with fuel and propane topped up and no extra cleaning required, the hold is released after your trip. Pro tip: take date-stamped photos of the RV inside and out at pickup and drop-off; it is a simple habit that keeps the deposit process smooth for everyone.

You're in the sweet spot of BC for a family RV trip Columbia-Shuswap. A classic 7-day loop: nights 1 to 3 at Shuswap Lake Provincial Park in Scotch Creek (swim, paddle, hit Copper Island by boat); night 4 in Revelstoke (about 2 hours east) for the Pipe Mountain Coaster and Skytrek Adventure Park; nights 5 to 6 at Yoho or Banff if you want the Rockies experience; then back through Sicamous for night 7 at Mara Lake. Kids love the D Dutchmen Dairy ice cream stop in Sicamous and the Adams River salmon run (peak years every fourth October). Pro tip: pack water shoes; Shuswap beaches are pebbly and warm-water perfect.