Kamloops kayakers have a number of rivers to paddle, with the two best ones going right through the city.

South Thompson River

• this fine river runs from Little Shuswap Lake by Chase to the Confluence in Kamloops
• the best launch spot is at Pioneer Park
• Valleyview Boat Launch is another good spot upriver
• Lafarge has a good hand launch spot on the northeast side
• there is a good hand launch site at the Pritchard Bridge on the northwest side
• there are two good launch spots in Chase for paddling down the South Thompson River
• Downriver: Lafarge to Pioneer Park
• Downriver: Pritchard to Lafarge
• Downriver: Chase to Pritchard
• Upstream on the South Thompson River

North Thompson River

• the river is safe from Heffley Rapids down to the Confluence, but there are limited launch spots along the river
• in low water, it is possible to drive down to the beach from Schubert Drive
• there is a good hand launch from the end of Harrington Drive in Westsyde, and there are a couple of other spots along the river that require lugging the boat down a trail (article)
• it is also possible to launch from the Tournament Capital Ranch or from Rayleigh, but the boat has to be carried down to the river
• experienced paddlers can launch at the McLure Ferry to paddle down to Kamloops (36km), but must go through the Heffley Rapids
• experienced paddlers can launch next to the Little Fort Ferry to paddle downstream to McLure or Kamloops (article)
• experienced paddlers can launch in Clearwater and go all the way to Kamloops
• Downriver: Westyde to McArthur Island
• Clearwater to Kamloops Downriver (Part 1)
• Downriver Clearwater to Kamloops (Part 2)
• North Thompson River Run
• Up the North Thompson

Thompson River

• kayakers going downriver can launch at Valleyview Boat Launch, Harrington Road, Pioneer Park, Riverside Park, or McArthur Island
• kayakers can land at McArthur Island or Cooney Bay with a two vehicle system
• paddling downriver and back is easiest at lower flow times; upstream paddling is hard work and should not be underestimated if the distances are longer
• experienced kayakers can paddle from Savona to Ashcroft too, but will have to go through Class 2 rapids; this is more difficult during high water
• the floodlands east of Kamloops Lake are a wonderful kayaking area for a month during freshet
• Into the Floodlands
• Tranquille Bay
• Downriver: Valleyview to Cooney Bay

Other Rivers

• the Upper Shuswap River has some rapids, but can be done by experienced paddlers (article)
• the lower Shuswap River offers conditions for all paddlers
• the Upper Eagle River has a number of hazards, but can be done by experienced paddlers
• the Lower Eagle River is more suitable for intermediate paddlers
• Eagle River Run
• Shuswap River Run

Some Guidelines for Paddling the Rivers

• all required safety gear should be used
• the water is cold from February through May and October through November
• power boats provide some difficult conditions for paddlers, but most of their activity is from June through August and weekends or evenings; we go to smaller lakes at these times
• the water moves more quickly at freshet and hazards are more difficult during this time, especially on the North Thompson River
• generally speaking, the best etiquette on the river is to stay close to a shoreline allowing the faster boats to navigate the main channel; it is also safer in the event of a capsized boat