Things to Do Near White Lake RV & Fishing Resort (Sorrento & South Shuswap, BC)
Things to Do Near White Lake RV & Fishing Resort: South Shuswap, Unhurried
White Lake has 25,000–40,000 rainbow trout stocked annually and a marl-bottomed lake that's earned a reputation across BC. White Lake RV & Fishing Resort is the fishing resort that earns its name — and it could genuinely fill a week on its own.
But the South Shuswap has more going on than most people realize. Wineries. The Salmon Arm Wharf. Grasslands trails. Shuswap Lake beaches. A slower pace than the resort centres further east, and all the better for it.
Here's what's worth your time when you leave the dock.
Sorrento & Blind Bay
The immediate neighbourhood.
Sorrento is a small community on the north shore of Shuswap Lake's South Arm — accessible via the Trans-Canada, quiet, and in the right spot. The Sorrento waterfront gives you access to Shuswap Lake itself.
Blind Bay is a few minutes east — a bay on Shuswap Lake with a marina, beaches, and a classic BC lake community feel. If you want to get on the bigger lake, this is your closest access point.
Shuswap Lake Swimming
The lake is warm in summer — and the beaches at Sorrento and Blind Bay are excellent, quiet alternatives to the busier spots near Salmon Arm and Sicamous.
Salmon Arm — 45 Minutes East
The largest town in the Shuswap and a solid day trip.
Salmon Arm Wharf
A must. The Salmon Arm Wharf extends far into Shuswap Lake — one of the longest freshwater wharves in North America. Walk out, watch the osprey (they nest on the pilings every summer), and appreciate the scale of the lake from the middle of it.
Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival
One of Canada's top folk and roots music festivals — held in late August in Salmon Arm. Major artists, outdoor stages, and a reason to plan your visit for late summer.
Roots & Blues Festival Salmon Arm
Shuswap Lake Provincial Park (Scotch Creek)
About 30 minutes north of Salmon Arm on the north shore — excellent beaches, camping, and one of the best Shuswap Lake day-use areas in the region.
BC Parks Shuswap Lake Provincial Park
Downtown Salmon Arm
Good restaurants, the Saturday farmers market (spring–fall), and a walkable main street.
South Shuswap Wineries
This is the hidden gem of the area and it's completely on your doorstep.
The South Shuswap has a small, growing wine scene — less famous than the Okanagan, but worth knowing about. Several wineries operate in the Salmon Arm and Sorrento area, producing wines in a cooler-climate style.
Larch Hills Winery (near Salmon Arm) — one of BC's northernmost estate wineries, known for Ortega and Siegerrebe
Recline Ridge Vineyards & Winery (near Tappen) — estate winery with a tasting room
Granite Creek Estate Winery — small production, worth finding
Pair a fishing morning at White Lake with a winery afternoon. That's a good day.
Grasslands Trails — White Lake Lookout & Surrounding Area
The terrain around White Lake is different from the typical BC forested mountain environment.
Grasslands trails in the South Shuswap have a more open character — rolling hills, dry grassland, with views of Shuswap Lake and the surrounding plateau. A good change of pace from forested hiking.
White Lake Lookout Trail starts near the resort and gives elevated views over White Lake itself — a good morning hike before the fishing day starts.
Kamloops — 1 Hour West
BC's Tournament Capital. Good for a full day out or a supply run.
Kamloops is a genuine city with everything that implies — shopping, dining, services — and it's also an outdoor recreation hub in its own right.
Kamloops Trails
The Kamloops trail network is extensive and well-developed — over 100km of trails in and around the city, with terrain ranging from beginner walks to technical mountain biking.
Kamloops Lake & Thompson Rivers
The Thompson River runs through Kamloops and is excellent for fishing — rainbow trout, steelhead, and salmon depending on the season. Kamloops Lake just west of the city offers additional fishing.
Adams River Salmon Run (Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park)
One of the most spectacular natural events in BC — and it happens less than an hour from White Lake.
Adams River near Chase has the largest sockeye salmon run in BC, and every four years (dominant years: 2022, 2026, 2030...) the river runs red with millions of fish. Even in non-dominant years, hundreds of thousands of salmon return.
October is the viewing month. Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park has viewing platforms and interpretive programming.
BC Parks Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park for salmon run information
Chase & Little Shuswap Lake
About 25 minutes west of Sorrento on the Trans-Canada.
Chase is a small town at the west end of Shuswap Lake — quiet, accessible, and a good base for the Adams River area. Little Shuswap Lake, nearby, has calmer swimming than the main lake.
Secwépemc Cultural Heritage
The Shuswap region is the traditional territory of the Secwépemc (Shuswap) Nation. The region's name comes from the Secwépemc people, who have lived here for thousands of years.
The Secwépemc Museum & Heritage Park in Kamloops is a worthwhile stop for understanding the region's deeper history and culture.
Secwépemc Museum & Heritage Park in Kamloops
Ice Fishing at White Lake (Winter)
When the resort's lake freezes, don't leave.
Ice fishing season extends the fishing year well into winter. The same 25,000–40,000 trout that make summer fishing excellent make the ice fishing exceptional. Quiet. Cold. Productive.
Vernon & the North Okanagan — 1 Hour South
Down Highway 97A from Sorrento.
Vernon and the North Okanagan put you within reach of:
Okanagan wine country (start of the wine route)
Kalamalka Lake — famous for its turquoise colour (same marl-related geology as White Lake)
Silverstar Mountain Resort for skiing in winter
Okanagan beaches and lake swimming in summer
FAQ
What is there to do near White Lake RV & Fishing Resort?
Near White Lake RV & Fishing Resort in Sorrento, BC, activities include: fishing and swimming on Shuswap Lake at Blind Bay and Sorrento (minutes away), day trips to Salmon Arm (45 min) for the wharf and Roots & Blues Festival, South Shuswap winery tours, the Adams River salmon run in October near Chase, grasslands hiking near the resort, and day trips to Kamloops (1 hr) or Vernon/Okanagan (1 hr south).
What wineries are near White Lake Resort in Sorrento?
The South Shuswap has several estate wineries including Larch Hills Winery and Recline Ridge Vineyards near Salmon Arm and Tappen. The region produces cool-climate wines and is less visited than the Okanagan, making it a quieter tasting experience.
What is the Adams River salmon run?
The Adams River salmon run near Chase is one of BC's most spectacular natural events — the largest sockeye salmon return in the province. In dominant years (including 2026), millions of sockeye return to the Adams River in October. Viewing is at Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park, approximately 45–50 minutes from White Lake Resort.
Is Shuswap Lake accessible from White Lake Resort?
Yes. Sorrento and Blind Bay on Shuswap Lake are within minutes of White Lake Resort, providing access to BC's largest warm freshwater lake system for swimming, boating, and fishing.
How far is Salmon Arm from White Lake Resort?
Salmon Arm is approximately 45 minutes east of White Lake Resort on the Trans-Canada Highway.
What trails are near White Lake RV & Fishing Resort?
The White Lake Lookout Trail offers views over the lake directly from the resort. South Shuswap grasslands trails provide more open hiking terrain distinct from typical BC forest hiking.
