The SS Sicamous is the last of the great sternwheelers that carried passengers and freight along Okanagan Lake, and she now sits on the beach in Penticton as a museum and heritage park. Launched in 1914, she is a reminder of the years before roads and bridges, when the lake was the valley's main highway and fruit, mail and visitors travelled by steamer. Visitors walk through the decks, the engine areas and the restored cabins, with displays on the boat's history, her crew and the communities she served. The museum has had closures and restoration work in recent years, so it is worth checking the current opening hours, which run on a reduced winter schedule. It is a good fit for families, history fans and anyone spending a day in Penticton, between the lake and the wine country of the Naramata Bench.
What to do
Tour the ship at your own pace, reading the displays on each deck. The museum's own pages describe the steamboat era, the restoration and the life of the Penticton waterfront, and there are rooms you can walk into rather than just look at. The setting on the beach beside Okanagan Lake adds to the experience, and the surrounding heritage park and shoreline are pleasant for a short walk before or after your visit.
Practical planning
The museum is at 1099 Lakeshore Drive West in Penticton, visible from the shore as you head south from Highway 97. Its current page shows winter hours of Friday to Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm, closed Monday to Thursday, with the society hoping to keep Friday and weekend openings going until summer 2027.
The page's date range is incomplete, so confirm the exact dates before you go, and note that hours can change with air quality, volunteer availability and private events. Admission is modest, with reduced rates for seniors and children, a family rate and free entry for the youngest children, and cash and major cards are accepted.
Fitting it in
Penticton is about an hour south of Kelowna by road, so the ship pairs best with a day trip along the lake, a lunch on the waterfront and a winery stop on the way back. In summer the town is busy with beachgoers, and in November it is quiet, so weekend visits are easiest. If you are staying in Kelowna, treat it as a half-day add-on rather than a reason to change base, and combine it with a drive along the Naramata Bench if you have time.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk through a restored historic sternwheeler beached on the Penticton waterfront.
Best time
Friday to Sunday in winter, when the museum is open; check the dates first.
How long
Allow one to two hours for the ship and the waterfront.
Tips
Confirm winter dates, bring cash or a card, allow time for the beach and combine it with lunch in Penticton.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History fans and families spending a day in Penticton.
- Families
- Children enjoy exploring the decks and cabins, and the rates are low for younger ones.
- Couples
- A quiet cultural stop paired with a lakeside walk and a winery on the Naramata Bench.
- Pair with
- A Naramata Bench winery drive or lunch on the Penticton waterfront.
- Time needed
- One to two hours, plus about an hour each way from Kelowna.
Good questions
When is the SS Sicamous open?+
The museum's current page shows winter hours of Friday to Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm. The date range is incomplete, so confirm before you go.
How much does it cost?+
Admission is modest, with reduced rates for seniors and children, a family rate and free entry for the youngest children. Cash and major credit cards are accepted.
Where is it?+
The museum is at 1099 Lakeshore Drive West in Penticton, on the beach and visible from the shore as you head south from Highway 97.
How old is the ship?+
She was launched in 1914 and served as a passenger and freight sternwheeler on Okanagan Lake. She is now a museum and heritage park.
How far is Penticton from Kelowna?+
Penticton is about an hour south of Kelowna by road. It works as a half-day or day trip.
