A Soft Landing in Salmon Arm – Our First Housesitting Adventure

When we made the decision to leave our jobs and begin traveling semi-full-time, we knew we wanted to explore new places at a slower pace and still have the comfort of a home base and the companionship of animals. That’s when we discovered housesitting.

We signed up with House Sitters Canada and applied for our very first sit: a lovely home just outside of Salmon Arm, BC, caring for two sweet little dogs named Tica and Valentini (who goes by Tiny). The Shuswap area around Salmon Arm is somewhere we have only passed through before, so this gave us an opportunity to explore at our leisure.

From the moment we arrived, we felt warmly welcomed, not just by the thoughtful homeowners, but by Tica and Tiny themselves. Tica, a tiny Chihuahua rescue dog from Mexico, quickly melted our hearts with her quirky, gentle spirit and love of cuddles. She was perfectly content to stay home, curled up on her heated pad, keeping an eye on the world from the comfort of her cozy spot. Tiny enjoyed his daily walks but was just as happy curled up on his fluffy bed by our side.

In between pet snuggles and quiet mornings, we took the opportunity to explore everything the Salmon Arm area had to offer – from lakeside trails and local markets to scenic drives through the Shuswap. It was the perfect mix of peaceful downtime and everyday adventure.

To break up our outward journey, we made a stop in Jasper National Park, where we saw firsthand the devastation of the 2024 wildfire. The sweeping views from the Maligne Overlook showed a barren, stark and haunting landscape where previously thick forests covered the valley floor. We also stretched our legs with a short and pleasant walk to Beaver Lake with it’s calm reflective waters nestled below the mountains of the Queen Elizabeth Range along the Maligne Lake Road.

Small-Town Charm: Exploring Salmon Arm

While the nature and outdoor adventures were a big part of our stay, the town of Salmon Arm itself also stole our hearts. Nestled along the southern shore of Shuswap Lake, Salmon Arm is the kind of place that blends small-town friendliness with just the right amount of culture and charm. With a population of just over 19,000, it has everything you need without ever feeling busy or overwhelming.

Originally established as a railway town in the late 1800s, Salmon Arm has grown into a vibrant lakeside community known for its arts scene, stunning scenery, and relaxed pace of life. Its historic downtown is lined with boutique shops, cafés, and galleries, all just a short walk from the waterfront.

One of our favorite stops was the Shuswap Pie Company – a cozy, welcoming café that feels like the heart of the town. We couldn’t resist popping in more than once for coffee and a slice of their famous pies, both sweet and savoury. The crust was buttery perfection, and the fillings tasted just like something your grandma might make. We really liked the taco pie which was perfect for an easy supper after a day of exploring.

Other highlights around town included the Raven Foreshore Trail along the lakefront, and Salmon Arm Wharf, one of the longest inland wooden wharfs in North America. It stretches out into the lake with panoramic views, interpretive signs, and frequent bird sightings, including pelicans floating in the shallows, blue herons wading amongst the reeds and ospreys soaring overhead.

The path circling tranquil McGuire Lake become our regular dog-walking route in the cooler evenings. It was a popular but peaceful nature retreat and looked stunning with sunlight filtering through majestic willows at golden hour .

Beaches: Sandy Stretches and Rocky Shores

One of the unexpected highlights of our stay was exploring the many beautiful beaches in and around Salmon Arm. Each had its own charm, offering something a little different depending on the day and our mood.

Shannon Beach was a peaceful, rocky shoreline with a gentle breeze – an ideal spot to relax while Keith hiked the nearby Shannon Beach Trail, finishing off with a refreshing dip in the lake. Sandy Beach at

Blind Bay was much more lively, with its wide stretch of sand and clear, shallow water – perfect for a lazy afternoon of lounging and people-watching. One evening, we stayed for Music by the Bay, a fun weekly community event filled with live music, a craft market, food trucks, and a joyful lakeside atmosphere.

Herald Provincial Park was one of our favorite places to spend a lazy sunny afternoon, with shaded picnic areas tucked under tall trees offering respite from the sweltering heat. The main beach offers a mix of sand and pebbles, crystal-clear water, and sweeping views across the lake to the surrounding mountains.

Of all the beaches, we found ourselves returning most often to Canoe Beach, close to Salmon Arm. The warm waters offered fantastic swimming (or at least some splashing around), especially welcome on those extra hot days when a cool dip felt like the perfect way to get refreshed. Whether we were floating in the lake, enjoying the shade under our beach umbrellas with a good book, or just watching the sun sparkle and shimmer on the water, these beach days were some of the most relaxing and memorable parts of our housesitting adventure.

Although most of our adventures were centered around Salmon Arm and Shuswap Lake, we took a day trip south to Vernon to visit Juniper Bay Beach, tucked along the eastern shore of Kalamalka Lake. Smaller and more secluded than other beaches, it felt like a peaceful escape. The water shimmered in the lake’s signature turquoise hues, and the surrounding rocky cliffs created a dramatic and beautiful setting. We brought a picnic, swam, read, and simply soaked in the Okanagan sunshine. Before settling in at the beach, we hiked the Rattlesnake Point Trail – a short but rewarding route that winds through the forest and along a narrow peninsula to an open lookout. The viewpoint at the end treated us to sweeping views of Kalamalka Lake from both sides. It was one of those moments that makes you pause and fully appreciate the beauty around you.

Sipping Local: Wineries Around Salmon Arm

No visit to the Shuswap would be complete without sampling a few local wines, and we were pleasantly surprised to discover a handful of welcoming wineries nestled in the hills around Salmon Arm.The slower pace and small-scale charm of these places made each tasting feel personal and relaxing – just the way we like it.

The Shuswap is one of the most northerly grape-growing regions in North America and the wineries are known for producing unique, cool-climate wines, often cultivated from grapes which are less common elsewhere. Each vineyard within the Shuswap also boasts its own microclimate, further contributing to the distinct character of the wines, .

We enjoyed a free tasting from Sunnybrae Winery at the Music By The Bay event in Blind Bay where their standouts were a limited release fruity blend called Twisted Path and a refrsehingly crisp, bright rosé, both perfect for a warm evening. The staff were knowledgeable and kind, happy to share stories about the winemaking process and the region’s unique terroir.

On a cooler and cloudier day, we then visited two more vineyards, each offering something unique. Larch Hills Winery was the first on our list – and easily the most scenic. Set high in the hills south of town, the drive alone was worth the visit, with sweeping views over the valley and Shuswap Lake. Larch Hills specializes in cool-climate wines, and their Siegerrebe and Ortega were standout favorites. The tasting was relaxed and friendly, and we walked away with a few bottles to enjoy over sunset dinners on the deck.

Next up was Marionette Winery, just minutes from downtown Salmon Arm but with a laid-back countryside feel. Their patio area was perfect for sipping and enjoying the view, and we loved their Gruner and Pinot Noir – beautifully crafted and not too fussy. The vibe was casual and artistic, with a touch of bohemian charm that made us want to stay all afternoon.

We enjoyed our first visit so much that we came back the very next evening for ‘Sangria Saturday’, one of their regular summer events. There was live music under the open sky, featuring a lovely local duo – Steph Clifford and Jake McIntyre-Paul, whose harmonies and acoustic style added just the right magic to the setting. With a refreshing carafe of sangria, a delicious freshly cooked pizza from the Lakeside Local food truck, good music in the air, and the sun setting over the vineyard, it was one of those unexpectedly perfect evenings that stays with you long after the trip is over.

Each winery gave us not just delicious wines, but a deeper appreciation for the passion and community that thrives in this part of British Columbia. It was the perfect complement to our days of hiking, pet-sitting, and lakeside lounging.

Chasing Waterfalls

Beyond beaches, the Salmon Arm area also surprised us with some truly beautiful waterfalls – each one offering its own unique atmosphere and reward.

One of the first we visited was Sicamous Creek Falls, just a short drive from town. The trail was an easy walk, winding through mossy forest and down a staircase to the side of the creek, with the sound of rushing water building as we approached. The falls themselves were tucked into a shady ravine, cascading down layered rock in a powerful, misty rush. It was peaceful, cool, and felt like a hidden gem, especially on a hot day.

While in Sicamous we also took a narrow, twisting, winding and rutted forestry road to a lookout point above the town. Despite some concerns (mainly expletives) about whether our vehicle would make it around all the switchbacks, we eventually came to a break in the trees where a fluttering windsock and a wooden platform reaching out over the cliff edge told us we were there. This was a former jumping-off point for adventurous hang-gliders but it looked like it had seen better days so we kept well back from the edge. The view over the town and lake was definitely worth it, although we still had to cautiously navigate the treacherous return journey back down the hillside!

Next up was Margaret Falls, located within Herald Provincial Park. This one felt like something out of a fairy tale. The short, shaded trail followed a stream through a lush canyon, with wooden bridges and moss-draped trees adding to the atmosphere. When we reached the end, Margaret Falls revealed itself in all its misty glory, tumbling over a rocky cliff surrounded by greenery. It was picture-perfect and definitely one of the most beautiful short hikes we’ve done in a while.

Then, on our way home, we made a point to stop at Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park – and wow, what a way to wrap up the trip. The trail was a bit longer than the others, around 4.5 km round trip along a tree-rooted and muddy path, but completely worth it. As we reached the final lookout, the thunder of water filled the air, and we were met with the massive, wide curtain of water from the Kicking Horse River pouring down into a spray-filled basin below. With the backdrop of the Rockies and the lush forest surrounding it, along with a bright halo of a rainbow appearing from the mist, Wapta Falls was the grand finale to our waterfall adventures – and an unforgettable end to a truly peaceful and scenic trip.