THINGS TO DO AT TIN POPPY RETREAT AND NEARBY

Welcome to your stay at Tin Poppy Retreat, home to private off-grid cabin rentals in the Shuswap. This guide covers what to bring, things to do on the property and nearby places to explore. Hike our private trails, relax in a wood-fired sauna, snowshoe through the forest or head out to explore the Larch Hills and surrounding area.

There is plenty to do without leaving the property. Explore 14 km of private forest trails, enjoy a wood-fired sauna, snowshoe in winter, visit the Tin Poppy Boutique or simply settle in at your cabin and enjoy the quiet.

Our 14 km of private hiking trails wind through a surprising variety of ecosystems, from lush cedar-hemlock forest to rocky ponderosa pine and juniper ridges. Each trail is named after a local bird species, making every hike a little adventure. If you’re up for a challenge, Woodpecker Trail—our black diamond route—rewards hikers with spectacular views stretching toward the Monashee Mountains. Whether you’re staying in Lavender Cabin, Wild Rose Cabin, Violet Cabin, or Tin Poppy Cabin, the trails begin just steps from your door. Don’t forget your hiking shoes and keep your eyes open for birds and wildlife along the way.

One of the best parts of staying at Tin Poppy Retreat is sharing the forest with its wild residents. From January through March, we affectionately call it “moose season.” If you’re hiking Nighthawk Trail after a fresh snowfall, keep an eye out for the cozy beds moose leave behind after spending the night in the forest.

White-tailed and mule deer are common visitors throughout the property, especially in spring. Coyotes are often heard in the evenings, and while black bears tend to keep to themselves, you’ll occasionally come across tracks or a reminder they’ve passed through along the trails.

As the weather warms, our ponds come alive with what we like to call the Frog Sonata. Western Toads, Pacific Tree Frogs, and Wood Frogs fill the evenings with an unforgettable chorus that has become one of our favourite signs of spring.

If you enjoy birdwatching, don’t forget your binoculars. Our trails are named after birds for a reason—this forest is alive with birdsong from spring through fall. Keep an eye out for Lazuli Buntings, Nashville Warblers, Chipping Sparrows, many thrush species, Swainsons’s, Varied, Hermit, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Turkey Vultures, woodpeckers, and many other species that call Tin Poppy Retreat their home.

In late April and early May, you’ll often hear the unmistakable prehistoric calls of Sandhill Cranes as they fly overhead on their way to nest in the nearby Mara Meadows. Summer evenings bring another favourite sound of the Common Nighthawks high above the forest as they swoop through the sky catching insects. One year, a pair even chose the middle of Nighthawk Trail as their nesting site, so we temporarily closed that section of the trail until their chicks had safely fledged.

After a day on the trails, there’s no better way to relax than in a crackling wood-fired sauna. Nestled in the forest beside Wild Rose Cabin, Violet Cabin, and Lavender Cabin, each private sauna offers a quiet place to slow down, warm up, and soak in the beauty of nature. Stop by our Woodland Boutique to browse our locally inspired geographical sauna oils and add a little extra luxury to your sauna experience.

Wander over to our little on-site woodland boutique and browse a changing selection of locally inspired goods. Our staples include our signature loose-leaf teas, hand-blended sauna oils and Tin Poppy mugs, along with seasonal merchandise and gifts.

You’ll find our teas in the cabins so you can sample them during your stay. Forest Therapy, inspired by the forest surrounding Tin Poppy, is our most popular blend.

The boutique operates on the honour system. Bring cash, or order through our online shop and pick up your purchase at the store during your stay.

Tin Poppy is close to cross-country skiing, ski and snowshoe rentals, local food and drink, wineries and more outdoor activities. The places below are either in the immediate neighbourhood or an easy drive from the retreat.

The Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail passes less than a kilometre from Tin Poppy as the crow flies—you may even be able to spot it from Lavender Cabin’s patio. To actually access the trail, though, you’ll need to drive or bike to the nearest trailhead, approximately 15 to 20 minutes away. From there, you can set off on foot or by bike and explore the beautiful rural landscape north toward Sicamous.

Make a day of it with a swim at “Secret Beach”—a local favourite that isn’t really a secret, although we still call it one. You’ll find directions waiting in your cabin. Stop at Green Croft Gardens for organic vegetables, farm-raised meat, fresh sourdough bread and locally made farm products, or visit Farmer John’s Market for ice cream, snacks, sandwiches, pastries and other treats for the trail. Farmer John’s officially offers a café with sandwiches, handcrafted drinks and baked treats.

After your ride, head to the Riverfront Pub in Grindrod for a cold drink and a satisfying plate of classic pub food—the kind that tastes especially good after a long day of biking and exploring. The pub is a longtime local gathering place near Grindrod Park.

With the trail, beach, farm stores and pub all within a short distance of one another, it’s an easy and memorable biking adventure from Tin Poppy.

Located about 3 km from Tin Poppy, directly on the way to the Larch Hills Nordic Centre, John’s Ski Shack offers cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals, equipment sales and ski lessons for different experience levels, including classic and skate skiing. The shop also carries quality Nordic clothing and accessories, including gloves, mitts, jackets, pants, toques and ski wax

Tucked into the hills just south of Salmon Arm, Larch Hills Winery is a family-run, cool-climate vineyard and an easy outing from Tin Poppy. Stop in for a wine tasting, pick up a bottle to enjoy back at your cabin and take in the beautiful views across the vineyard and surrounding valley. The winery is especially known for its Ortega, a crisp white wine that has become its signature.