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Floating season: 5 stunning lazy rivers to float down in B.C.

Ready to get your float on?
penticton-river-channel
The Penticton River Channel offers hours of floating fun in the Okanagan Valley.

Locals looking for a refreshing way to spend a sunny afternoon have several lazy rivers to choose from across the province -- but some of them aren't exactly close to the city. 

From Vancouver, lazy rivers are limited, with one of the best options located nearly a couple of hours outside of the city. That said, Alouette River offers awe-inspiring panoramas as it journeys out of Golden Ears Provincial Park, serving as an ideal playground for folks looking to escape the daily grind.

Have a look at some of the top spots for locals to explore across the province.

Lazy Rivers 

Penticton River Channel 

Spanning an impressive four miles long, this iconic float is considered one of B.C.'s best. Although it is a man-made waterway, it is also generally safer and offers a relaxing drift down the river in the sunny Okanagan Valley.

Connecting Okanagan Lake to Skaha Lake, tubers will enjoy stunning vistas in all directions. You can also rent an inner-tube at the entrance to the float if you don't have your own.

Find out everything you need to know about visiting Penticton and enjoying this popular summer activity

Enderby River float

Located in the Okanagan between Armstrong and Salmon Arm, this breathtaking passageway offers a number of relaxed trips down the scenic Shuswap River.

Some trips are as little as three kilometres long while others span a whopping 11 kilometres. 

Cowichan River Float

Located on Vancouver Island near Duncan, the Cowichan River Float offers nearly three hours of floating fun down crystal-clear waters and is surrounded by lush forests. 

Floaters may also stop in a few places along their aquatic journey to explore some beautiful beaches.

At the end of the ride, they can also enjoy a refreshing swim before heading home.

Alouette River

Located in Maple Ridge, Alouette River originates in the awe-inspiring Golden Ears Provincial Park and offers a scenic float for locals looking for an escape just outside of Metro Vancouver. But it isn't always a "lazy," slow-moving current, so it isn't advised for children. 

There are many places to start the journey but many people like to start their float at Allco Park and finish in Davidson's Pools. Once they are there they can take a refreshing dip to complete the experience. 

Similkameen River

Located in the stunning Similkameen Valley, this waterway is a whopping 197 kilometres long, surrounded by mountain ranges, lush forests, and an array of wildlife. 

While there are several different floats to enjoy, locals will need to arrange alternative arrangements at their "pick-up" point since there are no transfers available. 

Similkameen Valley advises of the following float times:

Bromley Rock to the Red Bridge: four to five hours
Red Bridge to Keremeos Pine Park: two hours
Red Bridge to Cawston’s Kobau Park: three-and-a-half hours
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Photo via Similkameen Valley