The Thompson Basin – A Paddlers Playground

The Thompson Basin collect the melt-waters of several mountain ranges: The Monashees, Shuswap Highlands, Cariboo Mountains, and more. Melt water from these ranges flows downstream collecting in a number of very large lakes including Shuswap,  Mable, Adams, Myrtle, Clearwater, Azure and more. These large lakes offer excellent opportunities for multi-day canoe camping trips.

The South Thompson River comes from the Monashee Mountains to the east, collects in Shuswap Lake, then it flows 60 km west to Kamloops. The North Thompson River starts in the Cariboo Mountains to the north and flows for 355 km south to Kamloops. The confluence is right in the center of Kamloops. The Thompson River then flows for another 15 km to Kamloops Lake. Many of the long easier river sections such as the Thompson, North Thompson, and Lower Shuswap are ideal river sections for marathon canoe racing.

Below Kamloops Lake the Thompson River continues for over 100 kilometers to meet the Fraser the Fraser R

 

iver at Lytton. Along the way it collects water from a few more rivers, most notably the Nicola, and Bonaparte rivers as well as may other smaller side creeks. It becomes increasingly turbulent and dangerous, however some sections including the section from Savona to Ashcroft are navigable by canoe with the right equipment and water levels and with a strong group.

And the number of smaller lakes to explore on the regions plateaus are limitless: Scuttio, Red, Paul, Hefley, Sugar Lake, and others are fabulous locations for day trips for those interested in relaxed recreational paddling.

Many other rivers including the Nicola, Adams, Clearwater, Shuswap and Similkameen also offer challenging but rewarding white water canoeing opportunities for those with the right training, skills, and equipment.