Chase, British Columbia: History, Things to Do and Travel Guide
Chase is a Shuswap village in British Columbia’s Thompson Okanagan region, at the west end of Little Shuswap Lake. Its strongest travel anchors are lake access, village services, railway-and-lumber history and the wider Shuswap landscape.
The village works well as a compact stop. You can understand much of Chase by connecting the waterfront, the downtown service area, the old lumber-town story and the lake-and-river routes around it.
How Chase Started
The Village of Chase’s history page traces the community name to Whitfield Chase, who came from New York during the 1858 gold rush era and later farmed at Shuswap Prairie. The village name remained tied to the Chase family after his death.
The next major layer was lumber. The official history records that an American logging company arrived in 1907, bought the original townsite from Marcus Chase and formed the Adams River Lumber Company on July 2, 1907. The mill began operating in 1908, and the first townsite lot was sold on May 5 of that year.
The mill became one of the largest in the interior before closing in 1925. Chase incorporated in 1969, after tourism and village services had become more important parts of the local economy.
What Chase Is Like Today
Chase today is a small lakeside village with a practical service role on Shuswap routes. Little Shuswap Lake gives the community its strongest visitor setting, while nearby river, beach and trail areas add outdoor reasons to stop.
The old lumber-town shape is still useful for travellers. Chase has a compact centre, services close to the highway and water access close enough to make a short visit worthwhile.
The Chamber’s visitor material emphasizes lake life, outdoor recreation, local businesses and the surrounding Secwépemc and Shuswap context. For a visitor, Chase feels like a working village that also knows how to host summer traffic.
Things to Do and Places Nearby
Begin with Little Shuswap Lake. Beach time, paddling, fishing and simple waterfront walks are the clearest ways to experience Chase, especially in warm weather.
The village centre is useful for food, supplies and a short walk. Read the historic Chase material before you go, then look at the townsite as a place shaped by a once-large mill rather than as a generic lakeside stop.
The Chase & District Chamber points travellers toward local outdoor recreation, shops, food and regional activities. Use those current listings for seasonal choices because hours and offerings can change quickly.
Regional context is simple: Chase sits between lake country, river routes and the broader Shuswap travel area. Add nearby stops only when they support your lake, trail or driving plans.
Quick Facts
- Province: British Columbia
- Region: Thompson Okanagan
- Community type: village
- Population: about 2,500 residents
- Main setting: Little Shuswap Lake and the Shuswap travel corridor
- Good for: lake access, village walks, local history, paddling, fishing and Shuswap route planning
- Key routes: Highway 1 area routes through the western Shuswap
Travel Notes
Chase is busiest in summer lake season. Confirm boat, beach, event and business details before arriving, and allow extra travel time when Highway 1 or Shuswap vacation traffic is heavy.