In 1992 Skimikin Lake was designated a Recreation Site and in 1994 the Trails were designated a Recreation Reserve. By the late 1990’s an Equestrian Campsite in the Shuswap had emerged! Backcountry Horsemen of BC – Shuswap Chapter, worked with the Ministry of Forests to build an equestrian camp at Skimikin Lake. This collaborative effort included road building, brushing out the camping area and the building of corrals. Shuswap Chapter maintained the campsite for several years before another equestrian group took over until 2018. Since then, Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC) have been the overseers of the campground.
Horse campsite near the lake.
Skimikin Lake Campsite is just 20 minutes off Trans Canada Hwy 1 on a maintained paved road in Tappen. This is a great stopover location for a weary horse and driver, although one might just want to stay longer.
There are five equestrian sites with two corrals per campsite plus two additional day use sites with two corrals each. Water is available from the lake at the designated access. As well,there are out-houses, picnic tables, fire pits and two manure pits. A camp host is on site from mid-April to October. The camp fee is $15 per night with an additional $4 per horse per night. Campsites are on a first come, first served basis.
So, what has happened since 2019? TRAILS, TRAILS, TRAILS!!!
What’s an equestrian campsite without trails? Shuswap Chapter entered into a Partnership Agreement with RSTBC to maintain the Skimikin Trail Network. Since the trails were also shared by motorized enthusiasts, we formed a working group and started addressing trail concerns, signage, etiquette and use.
We also recognized we were recreating on the Traditional Territory of the Secwepemc Nation. We attended an Elders visit to the site and learned about the Skimikin Valley and its significance to the surrounding Indigenous communities.
This inspired our new trail signage. 
Our Trail signs have gone from numbers to names of animals, plants and trees significant to the area. The signs display the names in both Secwepemc and English.
In 2024 look for the QR Code on the main kiosk sign to link you to a pronunciation website! Several loop trails are now designated as non-motorized for Hikers and Equestrians while the majority are multi-use. A NEW map will be coming Spring of 2024! Another very exciting 4 km non-motorized trail received the go ahead and construction started in the fall of 2023. This project is expected to be completed mid-summer of 2024.
Riding out on the new Moose Trail
The new Moose trail offers a gradual climb above the lake and traverses through several different ecosystems with viewpoints of the Skimikin Valley and towards Turtle Valley.
Above all, we can’t thank our valuable volunteers enough for taking on the stewardship role of Skimikin with such enthusiasm over the past number of years. We are also grateful for the support of Horse Council BC, Backcountry Horsemen of BC, Shuswap Trail Alliance, Rec Sites and Trails BC and most recently the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport for their financial support towards the building of the new Moose Trail.
Skimikin is a favored destination for equine camping and trail riding enthusiasts. Look for information on the Horse Council of BC’s Trails Database under Recreation Trails/Rec – (https://hcbc.online/Trails?State=ZoneTrail&TrailAlias=28)
and on the Recreation Sites and Trails BC website (https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC1562&type=Site)
Want to support initiatives like these and get updates? Join a BCHBC chapter near you! www.bchorsemen.org
Story and photos submitted by Linda Buchanan, Shuswap Chapter
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