Thompson. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Safety information
- Boat traffic is heavy on Shuswap Lake, swim only in designated areas.
- Theft is a recurring problem, lock all valuables in vehicles.
Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.
Visit responsibly
Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:
Maps and location
- Park map [PDF] (November 2, 2018)
Getting there
This park is located 14km east of the Trans Canada Highway at Tappen, B.C. It is on the west shore of the Salmon Arm of Shuswap Lake. The closest communities, towns and cities are Tappen, Canoe, Sorrento, and Salmon Arm.
Camping
Frontcountry camping
This park offers vehicle-accessible campsites of which 26 are in 13 double sites. There are no pull through sites and all vehicles must fit into the gravel portions of the campsite, as there is no parking available for extra vehicles. The gatehouse is located at the entrance of the campground.
There is a self-registration station located near the gatehouse if the gatehouse is closed. Herald Park is a haven for recreationalists from May through October, dependant on weather.
Campsite reservations are accepted and campgrounds are 100% reservable from May 1 to September 18.
Frontcountry campgrounds
Things to do
Hikers will enjoy the two distinct topographical areas, upland and flat delta, which have created a great terrain for hiking. There is a trail to Upper Canyon, which has beautiful views of the lake. There are some rough sections along the 2.5km trail.
A self-guided nature trail has interpretative stops to Margaret Falls. Campground hosts (if available) can assist with area information. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
There is a large swimming area that is buoyed off from motor-boat use.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
All water sports are popular on Shuswap Lake.
All water sports are popular on Shuswap Lake.
Shuswap lake has 19 different species of fish and year-round fishing. The most popular fish are lake trout and rainbows to 10 kg dollies, kokanee, burbot, whitefish. Trolling for deep lurkers is the most popular technique.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
There is an area set aside for pets beginning below Reineker campground, extending to a portion of the day-use area. You are responsible for their control and behavior, and you must dispose of their excrement. Doggie bags are provided throughout the park for your convenience. Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in park buildings or beach areas except for the area set aside above. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Herald Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
Watersking is allowed on Shuswap Lake. Please check with the Canadian coast guard for the current regulations and restrictions.
Windsurfing is allowed on Shuswap Lake. Please check with the Canadian coast guard for the current regulations and restrictions.
Scuba diving does occur in Shuswap Lake. Please check with local dive operators for more information.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
Herald boat launch
There is a concrete boat launch available at this park. It is located in the day-use area of the park. A large parking area is available for parking vehicles and boat trailers. Overnight parking is not permitted. Please check with the Canadian coast guard or read information signs at launch area for current regulations on Shuswap Lake. Houseboats are not permitted to park overnight at this park, please refer to the Shuswap Marine Park web pages for information about lake sites.
While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Campfires must not exceed half a metre in height.. Do not leave your campfire unattended. This is a high-risk forest fire area.
Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park.
To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act ). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
Cold water taps are located throughout the park. Taps are shut off during the off-season. There are no hookups in this park. Water for filling holding tanks is available at the sani-station.
Herald day-use area
This park has a large day-use and picnic area. It has a combination of grassy areas with over 1,000 metres of mostly sandy beach. There are both pit toilets and water provided. The day-use entrance gate is locked between 10pm and 7am. The gate is left open during off-season until snow stops access, at which time self-contained units are allowed to camp in day-use area.
Pit and flush toilets are located throughout the park.
A new adventure playground was installed in the day-use area as part of the 2016 capital project.
A sani-station is available during the collecting season.
There are hot showers at this park.
About this park
Contact the gate office for a copy of the in-park handout, it provides information for the self-guided nature trail, and about the human, and natural history of this lovely place.
Established in 1975, this park was part of a farm owned from 1905 by Dr. Dundas and Edith Herald and their children. Canoes carried the first Europeans here, but by the 1870s paddle-wheelers frequently transported people between Kamloops and communities on the lake. The Canadian Pacific railway, and later an expanded road system, resulted in a much easier movement of people and goods. Starting in the 1950s, the increase of private cars brought a new industry to Shuswap Lake, summer recreation.
The canyon leading to Margaret Falls protects a unique ecosystem. Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the park’s natural heritage, please don’t damage or remove them.
Birders take note: 70 species are documented in Herald Park. Cougars, bears, and other wildlife are seen on occasion. Keep children close by when hiking.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.
Contact
| Reservations, changes, and cancellations | Our call centre is open from 7 am to 7 pm Pacific Time. There is a $5 fee for reservations, changes, or cancellations made by phone.
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| Park operator | This park is operated by Silvertip Park Services Ltd. |
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
