Where Sicamous is
Sicamous is a district municipality in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD). It lies beside the Trans-Canada Highway at the Highway 97A junction, "where Mara Lake empties into Shuswap Lake via short narrows," as the CSRD puts it. The CSRD also calls Sicamous "the eastern gateway to the Shuswap."
The District says Sicamous connects travellers "from the Lower Mainland and neighbouring Alberta to the sought-after destinations of the Okanagan and Shuswap."
The community
Statistics Canada's 2021 Census counted 2,613 people in Sicamous, up from 2,429 in 2016. The District notes that the population triples in the summer months as seasonal residents and visitors arrive for the lakes. It names tourism as the community's dominant industry.
Sicamous is trademarked as the "Houseboat Capital of Canada," and the District says houseboating draws thousands of visitors each year.
On the water
The Sicamous Channel links Mara and Shuswap lakes and sits at the heart of town. The District lists public docks and boat launches, including:
- Finlayson Street Boat Launch & Docks
- Legacy Pier
- Main Street Landing Dock
- Several street-end boat launches
Four-season recreation
The District mentions two golf courses overlooking the Eagle River and Mara Lake, along with walking trails that have mountain and waterfall views. Hang gliders fly from the Sicamous Lookout on Queest Mountain.
In winter, the District highlights snowmobiling on Queest and Owlhead mountains. Sicamous is also the northern gateway to the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail.
The Sicamous & District Recreation Centre is owned and operated by the CSRD. It has an NHL regulation-size ice sheet, a fitness centre and a banquet hall. Other community facilities include the Red Barn Arts Centre, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 99, the Sicamous & District Seniors Centre and the Sicamous Pickleball Club.
Schools
Sicamous is part of School District No. 83. Local schools are Parkview Elementary (K–6) and Eagle River Secondary (grades 7–12).
Sicamous real estate: recent numbers
For September 2026, the Association of Interior REALTORS® reported 3 single-family sales in Sicamous, with a single-family benchmark price of $588,600, down 2.6% year over year. This figure excludes lakefront and acreage homes.
Source: Association of Interior REALTORS®, Monthly Market Statistics, September 2026. Benchmark prices from the MLS® Home Price Index describe a typical home. They aren't a value for any specific property. Monthly sales in small communities are low, so the numbers can swing.
Questions to ask about a Sicamous property
Many homes here are seasonal or near the water. Before you buy, it's worth confirming a few things:
- Zoning and permitted uses: Check with the District of Sicamous, or with the CSRD if the property is outside the municipal boundary.
- Docks and moorage: Confirm what's authorized on the foreshore with the Province and the local government.
- Water and sewer: Find out whether the property is on municipal water and sewer.
- Inspections and insurance: Talk to a home inspector and your insurance broker about the specific property.
Thinking about Sicamous?
Call or text me, Gene Wolverton, REALTOR® with Canada Flex Realty Group Ltd., at (250) 517-8875.
