RV Parks In Sicamous, British Columbia
50.8331° N, 118.9857° W
Quick Overview
Sicamous calls itself the Houseboat Capital of Canada, and it earns the title, sitting at the narrow channel where Mara Lake meets Shuswap Lake in the interior of British Columbia. For RVers it's a warm-summer lake destination on the Trans-Canada Highway, midway between the Okanagan and the Rockies, with sandy beaches, warm swimming water and the whole Shuswap to explore by boat. We like basing here in July and August when the interior heats up and the lakes are perfect: camp by the water, rent a houseboat or sea-doo for a day, and soak up some of the warmest summer weather in Canada. The season is short but excellent.
For full hookups right by the water, Mara Lake RV Park & Campground is a top pick, with full service power, water and sanitary connections and the closest lake access in the Shuswap, sitting just across Highway 97A from Sicamous Houseboats. Sicamous RV and Cabin Resort offers spacious full-hookup sites with 30 and 50-amp service and pull-throughs for larger rigs, while Eagle River Golf RV Park pairs full hookups with a golf course. Any of these handle a big rig and put you minutes from the beaches and the boat launches. Reserve early, since summer fills fast in this compact town.
On the public side, Shuswap Lake Provincial Park and the broader network of public provincial parks around the lake offer hundreds of vehicle-accessible sites in forested lakeshore settings, some with electric hookups, reservable through the BC Parks system. These public provincial parks are gorgeous but lighter on hookups, so plan to dry camp at many of them. Here's our honest read: stay full-hookup at a Sicamous resort if you want power, sewer and walk-to-beach convenience, and book a provincial park site when the lakeshore forest setting is the whole point. Below you'll find the parks grouped public and private, with reservation windows, hookup details and real seasonal costs in Canadian terms.
Top Rated Dump Stations in Sicamous
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All Dump Stations Near Sicamous
| Station Name | Distance | Rating | Category | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T P Tent & R V Resort | 0.8 mi | 4.8 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Family Tree Riverside RV & Campground | 3.4 mi | 3.9 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Sicamous RV & Cabin Resort By Pinnacle Lifestyles | 7.3 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Cedars RV Resort | 8.3 mi | 4.3 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Cedars RV Resort | 8.3 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Salmon Arm Camping Resort | 14.0 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Pierre's Point Campground | 15.8 mi | 3.6 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Viewpoint RV Park & Cottages | 15.9 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Riverside RV Park | 20.1 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Quilakwa RV & Campground | 20.5 mi | 4.6 | Dump Station | Varies |
T P Tent & R V Resort
0.8 miFamily Tree Riverside RV & Campground
3.4 miSicamous RV & Cabin Resort By Pinnacle Lifestyles
7.3 miCedars RV Resort
8.3 miCedars RV Resort
8.3 miSalmon Arm Camping Resort
14.0 miPierre's Point Campground
15.8 miViewpoint RV Park & Cottages
15.9 miRiverside RV Park
20.1 miQuilakwa RV & Campground
20.5 miTraveling to Sicamous by RV
Sicamous sits right on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), the main east-west route through British Columbia, where it meets Highway 97A heading south to Vernon and the Okanagan. Both are good highways for any size RV, though Highway 1 through the Eagle Pass and toward Revelstoke has mountain grades and curves, so gear down on descents and watch for summer construction. Vernon and the north Okanagan are about an hour south, Salmon Arm just 30 minutes west for the nearest larger services, and Revelstoke about 70 km east toward the Rockies. Sicamous has fuel, groceries and basic services, but for major RV repair head to Salmon Arm or Vernon. Use Celsius for temperatures and litres for fuel here, and carry Canadian funds or cards. Cell coverage is good in town and patchy in the mountain passes. If you're heading east toward the Rockies, fuel up before Revelstoke, since the long climb through the national parks has few services and the grades will run your engine harder than the flat valley driving.
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Before You Go: RV Trip Essentials
Dump stations are only one piece of the trip puzzle. Before you set out for your trip to Sicamous, British Columbia, it's worth taking thirty minutes to check that the basics are in place — the four areas below are where unprepared RVers most often get stung.
Check your RV insurance coverage
A standard auto policy rarely covers a Class A, Class C, or travel trailer the way a dedicated RV insurance policy does. If you're financing a motorhome, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision; full-timers should additionally price in vacation liability and personal belongings coverage. Rates vary widely by state and travel pattern — compare quotes from multiple RV-focused carriers before each season.
Know your roadside assistance options
RV-specific roadside plans tow motorhomes and trailers that regular AAA coverage won't touch — flat beds, mobile mechanics, tire service for duallies, and even emergency lockouts at remote campgrounds. Good plans cover your spouse and trailer even if you're driving a separate vehicle, and some include trip interruption reimbursement if a breakdown costs you a reservation.
Decide about an extended warranty early
Original manufacturer warranties on new RVs typically run 12–24 months — shorter than most buyers realize. An extended service contract (essentially a mechanical breakdown policy) covers the appliances, slides, levelling systems, and drivetrain components that can run $3,000–$10,000 to replace. The time to price one is before the factory coverage expires, not after something breaks.
Set up a travel rewards card for fuel and fees
A no-annual-fee travel or gas rewards card pays for itself on a single month of RV travel. Expect to spend $400–$800 per week combined on fuel, campgrounds, and propane — 3–5% cash back on gas alone covers the next oil change. For bigger trips, a sign-up bonus can offset campground fees for the whole season.
RVingLife is supported by advertising. Third-party ads on this page may include insurance quotes, roadside plans, warranty coverage, or financial products relevant to the topics above. We don't endorse any specific provider — compare multiple offers before you commit. Privacy policy.
Dump Station Costs in Sicamous
Private full-hookup sites around Sicamous run roughly 50 to 90 Canadian dollars a night in peak summer, with lakeside and full-service resort sites at the higher end and weekly or monthly rates bringing the nightly cost down for longer stays. The public provincial park sites through BC Parks are cheaper, generally in the 25 to 45 dollar range depending on whether they have electric hookups, an excellent value for the lakeshore setting if you're self-contained. Houseboat and watercraft rentals are a significant additional cost, so budget separately if that's part of your trip. Expect the highest prices and tightest availability from late June through August; the shoulder seasons of late spring and September are quieter and cheaper. Most camping here closes or goes limited outside the summer season.
Contact station for pricing details.
Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.
What RVers Are Saying About Sicamous
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Best Time to Visit Sicamous by RV
Winter
Nov - Feb
-7C - 0C
Crowds: Low
Cold and snowy in the interior. Most lakeside camping closed. Nearby ski hills draw some winter visitors, but RVing is minimal and for hardy rigs only.
Spring
Mar - May
3C - 15C
Crowds: Low
Cool and green as the lakes warm slowly. Parks begin reopening late spring. Mosquitoes active near water after melt. Quiet and inexpensive before summer.
Summer
Jun - Aug
13C - 28C
Crowds: High
Prime season with some of the warmest summer weather in Canada and ideal swimming. All parks open, town fills, houseboats book out. Reserve well ahead.
Fall
Sep - Oct
4C - 16C
Crowds: Medium
Crisp, colourful and quiet after Labour Day, with warm early-September days. Parks begin closing. A lovely, lower-cost window before winter sets in.
Explore the Sicamous Area
Rent a houseboat at least once if your schedule allows; it's the signature Shuswap experience, and even a day trip on the water shows you why people return every summer. The swimming is genuinely warm for Canada, so the lake beaches are worth planning around. Book your RV site and any houseboat well ahead for July and August, the short, busy peak when the whole town fills. Bring bug spray for early summer when mosquitoes are active near the water after the spring melt. The D'Arcy Bear Sanctuary and the rail-trail along the old Sicamous-to-Armstrong line are nice lower-key outings. Watch for afternoon thunderstorms over the mountains, and remember services thin out fast once you leave town in either direction, so fuel and provision in Sicamous or Salmon Arm. One more thing worth knowing: the August long weekend is the single busiest stretch of the year here, so if you can shift your dates a week either side, you'll find more space and calmer water.
National Parks Nearby
Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Sicamous
Are there full-hookup RV parks in Sicamous?
Yes, several. Mara Lake RV Park & Campground offers full service hookups with power, water and sanitary connections, plus the closest lake access in the Shuswap, sitting just across Highway 97A from Sicamous Houseboats. Sicamous RV and Cabin Resort provides spacious full-hookup sites with both 30 and 50-amp electrical service and pull-throughs for larger rigs. Eagle River Golf RV Park has full hookups with 30-amp service alongside a golf course. All accommodate big rigs with power, water and sewer at the site. For the public alternative, Shuswap Lake Provincial Park has some electric sites but is lighter on full hookups, so for full service, choose one of the private resorts.
What is houseboating in Sicamous and is it worth it?
Houseboating is the signature Shuswap experience, and Sicamous is its Canadian capital. You rent a floating, self-contained vacation home with bedrooms, a kitchen, a deck and often a waterslide, then cruise and anchor in the lake's many quiet bays and beaches over a few days. Several operators in town, including Sicamous Houseboats near Mara Lake RV Park, rent boats from a day trip up to a week. It's genuinely worth doing at least once if your budget and schedule allow, and it pairs perfectly with an RV base in town. Book well ahead for July and August, the short, very busy peak season, since boats sell out.
Can big rigs camp and drive in Sicamous?
Yes. Sicamous sits right on the Trans-Canada Highway where it meets Highway 97A, both good routes for any size RV, and the private resorts like Sicamous RV and Cabin Resort offer spacious pull-through full-hookup sites built for larger rigs. The main caution is the mountain driving: Highway 1 east toward Revelstoke through Eagle Pass has grades and curves, so gear down on descents and watch for summer construction and wildlife. There are no clearance problems on the main highways. Salmon Arm, 30 minutes west, and Vernon, about an hour south, handle major RV service. Overall it's an accessible big-rig destination, just reserve early since the lakeside sites fill fast in summer.
Does Shuswap Lake Provincial Park have hookups?
Some sites do. Shuswap Lake Provincial Park, part of the public provincial park network around the lake, has hundreds of vehicle-accessible sites in forested lakeshore settings, and some offer electric hookups, though many are dry sites without services. There are no full sewer hookups at the provincial park sites, but there are dump stations and water fills. Sites are reservable through the BC Parks reservation system and fill quickly for summer. If you need full hookups with power, water and sewer at your site, base instead at one of the private Sicamous resorts. If you want the lakeshore forest setting and don't mind dry camping or electric-only, the public provincial parks are beautiful and a great value.
When is the best time to RV in Sicamous?
Summer, without question, specifically July and August. The Shuswap interior enjoys some of the warmest summer weather in Canada, with highs in the upper 20s Celsius and warm lake water ideal for swimming, paddling and houseboating, and that's when all the parks and rental operators are fully open. It's also the busiest and priciest season, so reserve well ahead. Early September is a lovely, quieter shoulder window with warm days and thinning crowds before parks begin closing. Late spring is cool and green as the lakes slowly warm. Winter is cold and snowy with minimal RVing. For lake weather and the full Sicamous experience, plan a midsummer trip and book early.
Do I need reservations for Sicamous RV parks?
For summer, absolutely. Sicamous is a compact town that fills completely during the short July-and-August peak, when both RV sites and houseboats book out well in advance. Reserve the private resorts and any watercraft as early as you can for peak summer and holiday weekends like the August long weekend. Shuswap Lake Provincial Park sites release through the BC Parks reservation system and the lakeside spots go fast, so book the moment your window opens. The shoulder seasons of late spring and September are much easier, often available with little notice, and most camping closes outside summer anyway. Bottom line: for a midsummer Shuswap trip, treat reservations as essential.
Is the swimming and lake water warm in Sicamous?
Yes, surprisingly so for Canada. Mara and Shuswap Lakes warm up nicely through the summer, and by July and August the water is genuinely comfortable for swimming, which is a big part of the area's appeal and why families return year after year. The sandy beaches at the provincial parks and the resort waterfronts are popular swimming and paddling spots. The lakes also support boating, water-skiing, tubing and the famous houseboating. Spring water is still cold as it warms slowly from snowmelt, and by fall it cools again, so the prime swimming window is mid-July through August. Pack swimwear and plan beach days, since the warm water is one of Sicamous's best features.
Is there free or Crown land camping near Sicamous?
Some, but limited and rustic. British Columbia has Crown land and forest recreation sites in the hills and Monashee foothills around the Shuswap where self-contained RVers can sometimes camp free or cheaply, but these are primitive, with no hookups, rough forest-service-road access, and they require following Crown land camping rules and fire bans, which are strict in dry interior summers. They're best for smaller, capable rigs, not big motorhomes. For most visitors, the practical options are the developed private resorts and the public provincial parks right on the lake. If you want to explore backcountry recreation sites, research current access and fire restrictions carefully before heading up any forest service road.
What is there to do in Sicamous besides the lake?
Plenty, though the lake is the star. Beyond houseboating, swimming and boating, you can walk or cycle the rail-trail along the old Sicamous-to-Armstrong line, visit the D'Arcy Bear Sanctuary, and explore the small downtown's shops and eateries. Day trips reach Salmon Arm's waterfront and the wharf, the Enderby Cliffs for hiking, and the north Okanagan wineries and orchards around Vernon about an hour south. To the east, Revelstoke offers mountain adventures and the Revelstoke Railway Museum. The Last Spike at Craigellachie, marking the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway, is just minutes east on Highway 1. Between water sports and these outings, a summer week fills easily.
Are pets allowed at Sicamous RV parks?
Generally yes. The private resorts around Sicamous are pet-friendly with standard leash rules, and the public provincial parks, including Shuswap Lake Provincial Park, welcome leashed dogs at campsites and on many trails, though pets are restricted from certain swimming beaches, so look for designated pet areas. Keep dogs leashed around wildlife, which includes bears in the surrounding forests, and bring plenty of water for warm summer days. Clean up after your pets, especially near the popular beaches and busy campgrounds. As always, confirm each park's specific pet policy when you book, including any breed or number limits, and check current BC Parks rules for the provincial sites you plan to use.
Where can I dump tanks and refill water near Sicamous?
The private full-hookup resorts, Mara Lake RV Park, Sicamous RV and Cabin Resort and Eagle River Golf RV Park, let you dump at your site since they offer sanitary hookups, plus potable water fill. The public provincial parks around Shuswap Lake have dump stations and water fills even where individual sites are dry or electric-only. Sicamous and nearby Salmon Arm have additional fuel-stop and service options. Because this is a developed lake-resort area, finding dump and water service is straightforward. If you venture out to rustic Crown land or forest recreation sites, plan to arrive full and empty and dump back in town afterward, since those primitive sites have no services at all.
How far is Sicamous from the Okanagan and the Rockies?
Sicamous is well positioned between two of British Columbia's big draws. The north Okanagan around Vernon, with its wineries, orchards and warm lakes, is about an hour south on Highway 97A, and the central Okanagan and Kelowna are roughly two hours. Heading east on the Trans-Canada Highway, Revelstoke is about 70 kilometres, the gateway toward Glacier and Mount Revelstoke national parks and, further on, the Rocky Mountains and Banff. Salmon Arm and the rest of the Shuswap are right next door to the west. This central location makes Sicamous a natural hub or stopover whether you're touring the Okanagan wine country or making the long, scenic drive between Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies.
Are there full-hookup RV parks in Sicamous?
Yes, several. Mara Lake RV Park & Campground offers full service hookups with power, water and sanitary connections, plus the closest lake access in the Shuswap, sitting just across Highway 97A from Sicamous Houseboats. Sicamous RV and Cabin Resort provides spacious full-hookup sites with both 30 and 50-amp electrical service and pull-throughs for larger rigs. Eagle River Golf RV Park has full hookups with 30-amp service alongside a golf course. All accommodate big rigs with power, water and sewer at the site. For the public alternative, Shuswap Lake Provincial Park has some electric sites but is lighter on full hookups, so for full service, choose one of the private resorts.
What is houseboating in Sicamous and is it worth it?
Houseboating is the signature Shuswap experience, and Sicamous is its Canadian capital. You rent a floating, self-contained vacation home with bedrooms, a kitchen, a deck and often a waterslide, then cruise and anchor in the lake's many quiet bays and beaches over a few days. Several operators in town, including Sicamous Houseboats near Mara Lake RV Park, rent boats from a day trip up to a week. It's genuinely worth doing at least once if your budget and schedule allow, and it pairs perfectly with an RV base in town. Book well ahead for July and August, the short, very busy peak season, since boats sell out.
Can big rigs camp and drive in Sicamous?
Yes. Sicamous sits right on the Trans-Canada Highway where it meets Highway 97A, both good routes for any size RV, and the private resorts like Sicamous RV and Cabin Resort offer spacious pull-through full-hookup sites built for larger rigs. The main caution is the mountain driving: Highway 1 east toward Revelstoke through Eagle Pass has grades and curves, so gear down on descents and watch for summer construction and wildlife. There are no clearance problems on the main highways. Salmon Arm, 30 minutes west, and Vernon, about an hour south, handle major RV service. Overall it's an accessible big-rig destination, just reserve early since the lakeside sites fill fast in summer.
Does Shuswap Lake Provincial Park have hookups?
Some sites do. Shuswap Lake Provincial Park, part of the public provincial park network around the lake, has hundreds of vehicle-accessible sites in forested lakeshore settings, and some offer electric hookups, though many are dry sites without services. There are no full sewer hookups at the provincial park sites, but there are dump stations and water fills. Sites are reservable through the BC Parks reservation system and fill quickly for summer. If you need full hookups with power, water and sewer at your site, base instead at one of the private Sicamous resorts. If you want the lakeshore forest setting and don't mind dry camping or electric-only, the public provincial parks are beautiful and a great value.
When is the best time to RV in Sicamous?
Summer, without question, specifically July and August. The Shuswap interior enjoys some of the warmest summer weather in Canada, with highs in the upper 20s Celsius and warm lake water ideal for swimming, paddling and houseboating, and that's when all the parks and rental operators are fully open. It's also the busiest and priciest season, so reserve well ahead. Early September is a lovely, quieter shoulder window with warm days and thinning crowds before parks begin closing. Late spring is cool and green as the lakes slowly warm. Winter is cold and snowy with minimal RVing. For lake weather and the full Sicamous experience, plan a midsummer trip and book early.
Do I need reservations for Sicamous RV parks?
For summer, absolutely. Sicamous is a compact town that fills completely during the short July-and-August peak, when both RV sites and houseboats book out well in advance. Reserve the private resorts and any watercraft as early as you can for peak summer and holiday weekends like the August long weekend. Shuswap Lake Provincial Park sites release through the BC Parks reservation system and the lakeside spots go fast, so book the moment your window opens. The shoulder seasons of late spring and September are much easier, often available with little notice, and most camping closes outside summer anyway. Bottom line: for a midsummer Shuswap trip, treat reservations as essential.
Is the swimming and lake water warm in Sicamous?
Yes, surprisingly so for Canada. Mara and Shuswap Lakes warm up nicely through the summer, and by July and August the water is genuinely comfortable for swimming, which is a big part of the area's appeal and why families return year after year. The sandy beaches at the provincial parks and the resort waterfronts are popular swimming and paddling spots. The lakes also support boating, water-skiing, tubing and the famous houseboating. Spring water is still cold as it warms slowly from snowmelt, and by fall it cools again, so the prime swimming window is mid-July through August. Pack swimwear and plan beach days, since the warm water is one of Sicamous's best features.
Is there free or Crown land camping near Sicamous?
Some, but limited and rustic. British Columbia has Crown land and forest recreation sites in the hills and Monashee foothills around the Shuswap where self-contained RVers can sometimes camp free or cheaply, but these are primitive, with no hookups, rough forest-service-road access, and they require following Crown land camping rules and fire bans, which are strict in dry interior summers. They're best for smaller, capable rigs, not big motorhomes. For most visitors, the practical options are the developed private resorts and the public provincial parks right on the lake. If you want to explore backcountry recreation sites, research current access and fire restrictions carefully before heading up any forest service road.
What is there to do in Sicamous besides the lake?
Plenty, though the lake is the star. Beyond houseboating, swimming and boating, you can walk or cycle the rail-trail along the old Sicamous-to-Armstrong line, visit the D'Arcy Bear Sanctuary, and explore the small downtown's shops and eateries. Day trips reach Salmon Arm's waterfront and the wharf, the Enderby Cliffs for hiking, and the north Okanagan wineries and orchards around Vernon about an hour south. To the east, Revelstoke offers mountain adventures and the Revelstoke Railway Museum. The Last Spike at Craigellachie, marking the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway, is just minutes east on Highway 1. Between water sports and these outings, a summer week fills easily.
Are pets allowed at Sicamous RV parks?
Generally yes. The private resorts around Sicamous are pet-friendly with standard leash rules, and the public provincial parks, including Shuswap Lake Provincial Park, welcome leashed dogs at campsites and on many trails, though pets are restricted from certain swimming beaches, so look for designated pet areas. Keep dogs leashed around wildlife, which includes bears in the surrounding forests, and bring plenty of water for warm summer days. Clean up after your pets, especially near the popular beaches and busy campgrounds. As always, confirm each park's specific pet policy when you book, including any breed or number limits, and check current BC Parks rules for the provincial sites you plan to use.
Where can I dump tanks and refill water near Sicamous?
The private full-hookup resorts, Mara Lake RV Park, Sicamous RV and Cabin Resort and Eagle River Golf RV Park, let you dump at your site since they offer sanitary hookups, plus potable water fill. The public provincial parks around Shuswap Lake have dump stations and water fills even where individual sites are dry or electric-only. Sicamous and nearby Salmon Arm have additional fuel-stop and service options. Because this is a developed lake-resort area, finding dump and water service is straightforward. If you venture out to rustic Crown land or forest recreation sites, plan to arrive full and empty and dump back in town afterward, since those primitive sites have no services at all.
How far is Sicamous from the Okanagan and the Rockies?
Sicamous is well positioned between two of British Columbia's big draws. The north Okanagan around Vernon, with its wineries, orchards and warm lakes, is about an hour south on Highway 97A, and the central Okanagan and Kelowna are roughly two hours. Heading east on the Trans-Canada Highway, Revelstoke is about 70 kilometres, the gateway toward Glacier and Mount Revelstoke national parks and, further on, the Rocky Mountains and Banff. Salmon Arm and the rest of the Shuswap are right next door to the west. This central location makes Sicamous a natural hub or stopover whether you're touring the Okanagan wine country or making the long, scenic drive between Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies.
Are there free dump stations in Sicamous?
Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Sicamous.
All Dump Stations Near Sicamous (27)
RV ParkT P Tent & R V Resort
RV ParkFamily Tree Riverside RV & Campground
RV ParkSicamous RV & Cabin Resort By Pinnacle Lifestyles
RV ParkCedars RV Resort
RV ParkCedars RV Resort
RV ParkSalmon Arm Camping Resort
RV ParkRiverside RV Park
RV Park





