Like most places in British Columbia, Revelstoke is basically an adventure playground for the great outdoors! So, whether you are looking for Revelstoke beaches as a jumping off point for a paddleboard, kayak, or canoe adventure, to go for a swim and play in the water, or a place to relax after your latest adventure – Revelstoke surely has the beach for you.
There are plenty of beautiful beaches in and around town, on little lakes, big lakes, and the Columbia River. Pick your favourite or try to check out all the Revelstoke beaches on this list!
Beaches In the Town of Revelstoke
Without going far from town, there are some nice Revelstoke beaches to relax by the water, or go for a swim!
Centennial Park
If you’re looking for somewhere within walking distance of downtown, the Columbia river is your best bet. Just head down Centennial Park Dr until you get to a big day-use parking lot on your right. From there you will be able to get on the hiking trails. Just wander along heading away from town and keeping close to the river, until you come across the perfect spot.
There are lots of options along the river to hang out, from picnic areas to park benches, greenspace to sandy areas. Of course, since this is a post about beaches, I recommend continuing down to the sandy beach area. Just always take the option that keeps you closest to the river and it won’t be long until you find it.
The mountain views from the banks are beautiful and it is a really lovely place to spend time. People swim here all the time, but you have to make sure to be particularly careful here. The river can be fast, and it is quite cold! Don’t swim alone and be alert when picking your spot.
Williamson Lake
About 5kms from downtown, towards the ski hill, you will find Williamson Lake Campground. It’s a pretty small lake, but very beautiful and a perfect spot for relaxing. Plus it is easier access than most of the other beaches around. During the summer months you’ll find the beach day-use areas full of locals.
There are plenty of amenities such as picnic tables, flush toilets, and ice cream for sale in the campground office. Plus, the lake itself is in close proximity to the parking lot, so it’s the perfect place to bring paddle boards or kayaks. Likewise, the grassy picnic area is a great place to play spike ball, or roll out a blanket and read a book.
There is also a floating dock in the middle that is fun to swim to. And there’s a trail to the the backside of the lake if you’re seeking a bit more quiet. Plus the water seems to be a bit warmer here than some of the other spots on this list.
Overall, Williamson Lake is a great, convenient place to enjoy a hot summer’s day.
Beaches North of Revelstoke
Heading north out of town, you’ll find several great options for Revelstoke beaches along both sides of the wide section of the Columbia river known as Lake Revelstoke.
Secret Beach on Lake Revelstoke
Despite its name, Secret Beach is a popular destination among locals, and probably the best beach in the Revelstoke area. About 16-17 kms up highway 23 North you’ll start seeing cars pulled over on the left of the highway. This is the spot. Make a U-Turn where it’s safe, or turn around at Martha Creek Provincial Park and park with the other cars. There are a couple different paths down, but any will do.
At the further south end, you will take a path down straight to the beach. It’s a sandy beach with big driftwood logs scattered across it. There are several different cove areas, all with sandy beaches, so there are plenty of great spots to set up. There is also a rope swing, great mountain views of both the Selkirk mountains and the Monashee mountains, and it’s a great place to go for a swim!
At the further north end, you’ll follow the trail down to an abandoned highway, which is actually really cool. You can just cross it to get to another little beach area, or walk along it. At the end of this road you’ll get to the same place the other path would have taken you to.
If you have a car and don’t mind a short hike, this is my favourite of all the Revelstoke beaches I’ve been to!
Martha Creek Provincial Park
Very close to Secret Beach, but with easier access, is Martha Creek Park. Here there is a big day-use parking area, as well as some additional amenities such as a boat launch, pit toilet and picnic tables. The mountain views are just as good, the swimming is the same, but there may be more people around. And the beach isn’t quite as nice, at least in my opinion.
That said, Martha Creek Park is definitely another great option for a Revelstoke Beach, especially if you are looking for something with easier access.
5 Mile Boat Launch on Lake Revelstoke
The first boat launch you come to on the eastern side of Lake Revelstoke, also has a nice little beach area. Once you pass the dam, it is only a few kms further along and you should see a sign for 5 mile recreation site. This is one of the best places to go paddle boarding, kayaking, or canoeing. You can paddle up along the shore for as long as you like. Then on the way back you have the current on your side. Plus there shore edge is really interesting, with beach sections, cliff sections, and even some waterfalls.
There is also a nice rocky beach right beside the boat launch, so no need to have a boat to come here! There are even kids lifejackets available to borrow for free if you need one, which is really nice.
Mexico Beach on Lake Revelstoke
The western side of Lake Revelstoke is not nearly as developed, which makes it a bit quieter. That said, there is a really nice beach up this way, that is also quite popular among locals. About 9 kms down Westside Road, a dirt road, you will get to a small pull-off (see pictures below). You can park on the side of the main road here (best if you have a small car), drive down to the first little clearing and park there (recommended for medium sized vehicles like SUVs), or drive all the way down to the beach (trucks only).
There is a dock with a big driftwood jump, a sandy beach, and even a beautiful waterfall to go check out. You can walk along the rocky and sandy beaches for quite awhile, finding more and more little beach areas as you go along. However, some points along the way can require a little creativity, bushwhacking, getting wet, or a paddleboard/boat.
While this beach is a fairly popular destination among locals, it is not usually as busy as some of the other spots on this list. And if you’re willing to adventure a little further you can probably find a section all to yourself. Plus it is really beautiful!
Beaches South of Revelstoke
Heading south out of town, there are a couple nice Revelstoke beaches as well.
Begbie Falls
The section of the Columbia River on the southern side of Revelstoke is known as Upper Arrow Lake. There is a nice beach on Upper Arrow Lake at the Begbie Falls Rec Site. This is also the perfect option if you are looking for a Revelstoke campground. There are 26 camp sites here, and they costs $15 a night.
There are also hiking and biking trails, rock climbing walls, and of course the waterfall: Begbie Falls. All this in addition to the lovely little beach with beautiful mountain views.
Echo Lake
On the opposite side of the Columbia, heading south down Airport Road, you will eventually come to a Forest Service Road. At the end of the pavement, keep left. Drive for about 5kms further, and you will get to Echo Lake Recreation Site. Echo lake is a small but beautiful lake surrounded by forest. It’s the perfect place for camping, fishing, and picnicking.
There is a short hiking trail around the whole lake, and if you come at the right time of year, you can see tons of baby frogs hopping around. This is a nice quiet place to relax and enjoy nature.
Note that this is on a forest service road, so make sure to drive slowly and carefully, especially if you don’t have a proper radio (which is recommended).
PS. This is a great free campsite near Revelstoke! If you are looking for other free/cheap camping options near Revelstoke, in BC, or in Canada in general, check out this guide.
Let me know which of these Revelstoke beaches in your favourite!
Check out these other posts about Revelstoke:
- The Best Waterfalls in Revelstoke (Including Hidden Gems)
- 5 Museums to Visit in Revelstoke, British Columbia
- Best Restaurants to Try on Your Trip to Revelstoke
