Kelowna 
British Columbia’s Kootenays roughly cover the southeastern corner of the province. The area is known for its many stunning natural features, from the mountain peaks to the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers, to the lush green valleys, and several lakes, both large and small. The beautiful sights around the Kootenays are a significant reason to visit the region, while the many small cities and towns lining the highways offer numerous other reasons to explore.
View of Castlegar/ Credit: Destination BC/Kari Medig
While all of these Kootenay destinations are considered “mountain towns,” a visit to each location offers a wide range of different scenery. There will be lakeside or riverside towns, cities set within those lush valleys, and the mountainside destinations that are well-known for their ski resorts.
Golden
The location of Golden is a bit unique in that the town sits between two National Parks in BC, and within 100km of Alberta’s Banff National Park.
Credit: Destination BC/Ryan Creary
It is no wonder, then, that this town makes a perfect base for anyone wanting to explore Yoho, Glacier, or Banff National Parks. And right through the town of Golden runs both the Columbia and Kicking Horse Rivers, which make it easy to enjoy recreation without leaving. Explore town by heading out on the 16km Rotary trail (on foot or bike), which also offers great views of the Columbia River along the pathways.
- Many head to Golden for those amazing opportunities for outdoor adventure, while the arts and culture around town offer many other ways to spend time in Golden. All summer, there are weekly concert series (Golden Sky Bridge, Keith King Memorial Park, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort), the Golden Farmers’ Market, and live concerts at the pubs and restaurants of Golden.
- There are many ways to find outdoor adventure around Golden, whether it be on the hiking and biking trails or on the rivers. Get a guided river adventure in Golden with Alpine Rafting, Wild Water Adventures, Kootenay River Runners, or Hydra River Guides. Possibly more thrilling than any river excursion are the offerings from the Northern Lights Wolf Centre, where the interpretive tours allow for views of the centre’s resident wolves.
- Some of Golden’s closest mountain attractions are the Golden Sky Bridge and the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. The Sky Bridge location includes a suspension bridge over a deep part of the Columbia Valley, a mountain pipe coaster, sightseeing gondola rides, and zipline rides! The Kicking Horse Mountain Resort provides lodging options, plus a grizzly bear interpretive centre/refuge (meet Boo the Bear!), a via ferrata course, hiking trails, the sightseeing gondola, and mountain biking trail access.
- Among some of the closest National Park sites to Golden are Emerald Lake and Lake Lodge in Yoho, or the Rogers Pass National Historic Site in Glacier.
Nakusp
This western Kootenay village is a great destination for anyone who enjoys summer lake life, anyone seeking relaxation, or for anyone wanting to explore or relax within nature. Nakusp sits on the eastern shores of one of many massive Kootenay lakes: Arrow. The waterfront location of Nakusp brings about several opportunities for lake adventures, or that lake-life-relaxation vibe.
Credit: Kootenay Rockies Tourism/Mitch Winton
- As mentioned, the Kootenay region of BC is an awesome place to relax, thanks in part to the local Nakusp Hot Springs, the Halcyon Hot Springs Resort, and Halfway River Hot Springs, all within a short drive from Nakusp.
- Those water adventures on and around Arrow Lake could include more relaxation at Nakusp Municipal Beach, cooling off in the water, or exploring the water by boat. The town has its local Marina, while the nearby McDonald Creek Provincial Park offers boat launches. Find more water fun at Summit Lake Provincial Park where fishing, paddling, and swimming are all permitted on the lake. The Nakusp Rail Line is a 12km trail which connects Nakusp to Summit Lake.
- Enjoy more trails within Nakusp and all around the nearby parks. Right in town, there are great views of Arrow Lake from The Nakusp Waterfront Walk, while many of the great hiking trails outside of Nakusp start from the Hot Springs Road.
- The nature around Nakusp is one part of the town to explore while in the Kootenays, while the town’s arts, culture, and history, create more ways to explore Nakusp. Visit with sites like The Arrow Lakes Historical Society, Nakusp & District Museum, or the Nakusp Visitor’s Centre in the Centennial Building.
Fernie
There is no shortage of things to do and see, places or ways to stay, and local cultural experiences like dining and events, around the mountain city of Fernie. This bustling community offers a little bit of activity for all types of interests with historical or cultural attractions, mountain adventures, and public showcases of local art. Fernie sits in the Elk Valley of the southeastern Kootenays and provides highway access to several more historical sites along the Crowsnest Pass to the east.
Credit: Kootenay Rockies Tourism/Mitch Winton
- As a city on the western side of the historic Crowsnest Pass region of southeastern BC, Fernie has a rich history to discover! Start with a trip to the Fernie Museum, and book a guided Historic Walking Tour (June-September) to go deeper into the city’s past.
- Fernie Alpine Resort for mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, guided hikes, patio dining, and accommodations
- July and August in Fernie are a perfect time of year to enjoy local music and more with the Wednesday Socials Outdoor Concert Series, Wapiti Music Festival and the Fernie Show & Shine.
- The many fabulous local eateries in Fernie are, for the most part, located on the Crowsnest Highway, or 2nd Avenue. Plus, the summer and fall Fernie Mountain Market (Sundays) offer options for a variety of farm fresh foods as well as other goodies and gifts.
- 2nd Avenue is part of Fernie’s Historic Downtown with numerous heritage buildings lining the mountain-framed streets. These buildings contain unique shops, galleries, boutique stores, restaurants, and patios. From here, begin a self-guided art and heritage tour!
- The Elk River winds around the west side of Fernie, with the Trans Canada Trail also following along the river’s shoreline, which offers a simple way to explore Fernie on foot or by bike. The city is surrounded by many other trail areas, including mountain biking trails. Find simpler hikes or nature walks with the Fairy Creek Falls (5km out-and-back), the Lake & Fir (2km or 5km loops), or the Old Growth Magical Forest (1km loop) trails.
- The tour operators of Fernie offer a few different types of adventures or sightseeing trips. This includes guided fly fishing, whitewater rafting, family float adventures, or exploring Island Lake.
- Accommodations vary greatly around Fernie to provide visitors with a huge array of ways to stay overnight. This includes camping at Mount Fernie Provincial Park, Fernie RV Resort, or dozens more to the south in Elko. Right in Fernie are many other ways to stay, including lodges and mountain resorts, cabins and condo rentals, bed and breakfasts, local inns, and chain hotels.
Invermere-Panorama
The combination of Invermere and Panorama is the combination of a town and its nearby mountain resort town. Invermere is a large town, while Panorama sits to the west and up the mountain from Invermere as a resort village. During the winters, visitors from all over the world come to ski and snowboard at the Panorama Mountain Resort, while summers at the resort and in Invermere are an equally exciting time to be in the area!
Credit: Kootenay Rockies Tourism/Mitch Winton / Columbia Valley Wetlands
- Local events like The Invermere Farmers & Artists Market (June-September), or the Wicked Woods Music Festival, offer great starting points for when to plan a trip to Invermere!
- Use the local beaches at James Chabot Provincial Park and Kinsmen Beach Park to cool off on the inevitably hot summer days around the Kootenays.
- The Columbia Wetlands, part of the Columbia River, are among the world’s largest intact wetlands. Home to diverse wildlife, they offer scenic paddling, hiking, and biking opportunities. Explore the wetlands with the watersport rentals from the local Columbia River Paddle (who also offer guided paddle trips for beginners). A popular paddle route from Invermere to Radium Hot Springs provides peaceful nature views and ideal birdwatching conditions.
- It seems obvious that, given its lakeside and mountain location, Invermere and Panorama are both home to great hiking areas. And some of these scenic trails are easy to access right in town! This includes the Botanical Gardens Greenway, or the Markin-MacPhail Westside Legacy trail, which provides a paved path between Invermere and Panorama. Find more challenges at Swansea Mountain, Four Points, or Pinto Mountains.
- Invermere is situated between two public hot springs: the Fairmont Hot Springs to the south, featuring a hotel and restaurant, and the Radium Hot Springs to the north, which, although not having a hotel, is surrounded by many.
- Summers at Panorama Mountain Resort make the spot ideal for mountain bikers with lift access to trails. The resort is home to many other family-friendly attractions like the mountain coaster, the Timberline Aerial Park, and the outdoor pools.
Kimberley
Many will refer to Kimberley as a ski and snowboard, or overall winter destination. And while the Kootenay city of Kimberley is a beautiful place to enjoy any winter sport, the summers and falls offer just as many activities, if not more, that will fill an itinerary. The entire city is easy to navigate and explore on bike or foot, and will provide scenic locations up and down Mark Creek. While Kimberley has ample natural areas for outdoor recreation surrounding the town, Kimberley is also home to BC’s largest municipal park!
Credit: Kootenay Rockies Tourism/Aaron Hagen
- The mining industry plays a huge role in local history, and the small city has an exciting way to help everyone explore Kimberley’s rich history. Visit the Kimberley Underground Mining Railway to take the train ride into an old mine site! Learn about mining and much more from the Kimberley Heritage Museum or the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre.
- Kimberley Alpine Resort is a top winter attraction in the Kootenays with premier skiing and snowboarding opportunities. During the summer, the resort’s accommodation remains open, where visitors also have access to bike rentals. Find several other great places to stay in downtown Kimberley, at the base of the Alpine Resort, or with campgrounds on the edge of town.
- Sip and savour different samples from local Kimberley producers, farmers, and creators at the Thursday evening Farmers’ Market, which sets up along Howard Street (June-September).
- The Platzl, or pedestrian-only town square in downtown Kimberley, is the heart of this small city. Plus, the Platzl features Canada’s largest free-standing Cuckoo Clock. Explore downtown on foot while browsing shops, restaurants, and art.
- Explore a lot more around Kimberley with several trail systems, and BC’s largest municipal park: the Kimberley Nature Park. This area alone is home to 50km of hiking and cycling trails, while other nearby areas like the Wycliffe Buttes and Lois Creek also offer great trails.
- Find more summer recreation at the St. Mary Lake Regional Park west of Kimberley, where the scenic lake is perfect for a swim on a hot day, a waterfront picnic, or boating.
- When it comes to recreation on the trails, there are a lot of locations around Kimberley from which to choose, including a 25km (one-way) paved trail which connects Kimberley and Cranbrook!
Nelson
As a small mountain city, Nelson truly has a bit of everything to offer in terms of experiences, activities, accommodations, and dining. As a lakeside and waterfront community also set within the western Kootenays, Nelson has a huge array of outdoor recreation to match all sorts of adventure or ability levels.
Credit: Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism / Kari Medig
- Experience the artistic side of Nelson with the annual Summer Art Walk. The event includes over two months of public art displays set up across Nelson, and two nights of celebrations: one to start the summer, and one to conclude the summer.
- Taking in the history of Nelson will be an experience all over town with Nelson’s more than 350 preserved heritage buildings! Experience it all on a self-guided biking or walking tour. Take in the arts, history, and culture, with a visit to the Nelson Museum, Archives, & Gallery.
- This part of the Kootenay, both in Nelson and around the region’s more rural parts, has three local breweries, a craft distillery, and a winery! Discover these as well as the many incredible cafes and eateries around Nelson, or the several summer patios.
- Camping is an excellent option when it comes to staying in or near Nelson, with nearby options for tent and trailer sites, full-service sites, cabins, or unique glamping accommodations. Keep in mind as well that among those hundreds of historic buildings in Nelson are a handful of historic hotels, motels, or inns!
- Enjoy all that the large west arm of Kootenay Lake has to offer from spring to fall for outdoor and water recreation: this could include fishing, kayaking or canoeing (with rentals available in Nelson), swimming at the beach, powerboating, and all the fun that comes with powerboating, like tubing or wakeboarding.
- There is an event in Nelson nearly every month, including the region’s biggest event, the Shambhala Music Festival.
Revelstoke
As one of the Kootenays’ top adventure destinations, or locations for outdoor enthusiasts and thrill seekers, Revelstoke is also a destination for foodies, history buffs, photographers of all kinds, and family getaways. Those adventures and thrills are found in the trees, mountains, rivers, and lakes around Revelstoke through several different local outfits and operators. And the more relaxing activities around Revelstoke are best enjoyed right in town or downtown.
Credit: Kootenay Rockies Tourism/Mitch Winton
- Those looking for mountain adventure are in the right place in Revelstoke, no matter the season. Find thrills with the Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s pipe mountain coaster or aerial adventure park, with the courses of the Skytrek Adventure Park, or out on the rushing mountain waters with Apex Rafting and Wild Blue Yonder.
- The beautiful hiking trails around Revelstoke provide opportunities for mountain adventures that may not be as thrilling as those above, like rafting or riding down a mountain. Take in a simpler mountain adventure on some of the area’s best trails, like the many around the base of Mt. Revelstoke on the northeast side of town, or those which line the banks of the Columbia River as it winds its way through Revelstoke.
- Learn about many different parts of local history and culture with Revelstoke’s three local museums: the Revelstoke Railway Museum, the Revelstoke Museum and Archives, and the BC Interior Forestry Museum.
- Keep your fun and exploration to the gorgeous city streets of Revelstoke, most of which are framed by mountain backdrops, including Mt. Revelstoke. During the warmer months, several of the restaurants, pubs, and cafes around town open a patio; this includes the local breweries and distillery.
- Downtown Revelstoke is an attraction in and of itself and offers that beautiful mountain scenery mentioned above, plus several smaller attractions. Browse art galleries, markets, historic buildings, outdoor art displays, or stop by Grizzly Plaza to check for live music schedules.
Cranbrook
Cranbrook is the largest city in East Kootenay and a regional hub for government services. Surrounded by mountains and lakes, it offers rich outdoor recreation like hiking, fishing, camping, and golf. Home to the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, Cranbrook is a flat city bordered by scenic hills and serves as a basecamp for exploring the Kootenay Rockies.
Credit: Kootenay Rockies Tourism/Mitch Winton
- The arts live in Cranbrook with numerous ways to enjoy, embrace, and experience local art. Take in a live performance at the Key City Theatre, catch a live summer concert with Summer Sounds in the Park, browse the local galleries, or enjoy an intimate night of local theatre or live music at the Studio.
- Dive into the local history at the Cranbrook History Centre, which hosts guided tours as well as weekly events, and the Fort Steele Heritage Town, a historical village and open-air museum.
- The summer events in Cranbrook include an array of different types of festivals, including the Cranbrook Pro Rodeo and Rock the Kootenays: Cranbrook’s Classic Rock Festival, both in August, and the Ed Fest Arts & Music Festival in September. Plus, the recurring Summer Sounds & Dancing in the Park offers a way to celebrate each Thursday evening in July and August in Cranbrook.
- Discover the beautiful scenery of the southern BC Kootenay region on one of many local trails, like those of the Cranbrook Community Forest, which wind around both the north and south sides of Highway 3. The South Star Recreation Site to the south of Cranbrook also provides dozens of kilometres of trails. Trails also include Elizabeth Lake’s bird-rich wetlands and Idlewild Park’s reservoir loop. For longer treks, the paved 28 km North Star Rails to Trails leads to Kimberley, while the 43 km Chief Isadore Trail offers scenic gravel paths toward Wardner.
- With so much to do, there are many reasons to book an overnight stay in Cranbrook; and here, there are many different options, including ranch stays, hotels and motels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and RV resorts.
Castlegar
Bring a bike or good hiking shoes on a visit to the southern Kootenays town of Castlegar. This naturally beautiful region is home to the small city’s walkable streets that are covered in local art, riverside trails for hikers and bikers that run right through Castlegar, and all the scenic areas that surround the town. Within Castlegar and along the sidewalks, there will be several chances to sip and savour the local dining and take in various types of art.
Credit: Destination BC/Dave Heath
- Castlegar has a unique claim to fame as a Canadian town as the Sculpture Capital of Canada; get a view of all of the art around town with the self-guided tour of Castlegar’s 30+ sculptures from local and international artists alike.
- Along the walk through Castlegar, there will be opportunities to take off on the town’s riverside trails, while many other great trail areas surround Castlegar, including Dove Hill, the Columbia Riverbanks to the west of town as it approaches the Hugh Keenleyside Dam, or the riverbanks to the south of Castlegar.
- The RED Mountain Resort, about 40km west of Castlegar, is a great option for secluded accommodations and for bike trails. During the summer, the mountain is open as a mountain bike park, which also allows e-bikes. RED also provide bike rentals.
- There are several more ways to stay in and around Castlegar, including campsites like the local Pass Creek Regional Park and Campground, the local inns and motels, and a handful of chain hotels.
- Outdoor recreation and fun on the trails or the water is all available right in the heart of Castlegar at the town’s Millenium Park. The park’s facilities and amenities include a sandy beach, paved walking and bike trails, picnic areas, tennis courts, and soccer fields. The beach is on the Columbia River where small islands of sand have created calm and shallow swimming pools.
- Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park offers scenic trails, river views, and a glimpse into local history. Accessed by a suspension bridge, the island features the Russian Orthodox-style Chapel House, built by Alexander Zuckerberg. Visitors can explore heritage, Indigenous history, unique sculptures, and nature.
- Along with the scenic outdoor and natural areas to enjoy around Castlegar are many local attractions or events that help visitors enjoy local arts, culture, or history. Some of the feature attractions include the Sculpture Walk as well as a Mural Tour, CPR Station Museum, and the Kootenay Gallery of Art.
Creston
Creston sits in a wide mountain valley near the Kootenay Riverbanks, and about 12km north of the Idaho and United States border. In the opposite and northern direction from Creston is the far tip of the expansive Kootenay Lake. So, heading in from the south will offer a scenic drive through the forested parts of the valley, while coming into Creston from the north will offer lakeside views for dozens of kilometers. The trip into Creston from the Crowsnest Highway (east or west) is filled with rolling green foothills lined with hiking trails.
Credit: Destination BC/Dave Heath
- Enjoy the beautiful outdoors and nature that surround Creston with a hike around the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area (CVWMA), guided canoe tours from the Kootenay Columbia Discovery Centre, or with a drive north to one of the many beaches that line Kootenay Lake’s eastern shoreline.
- Taste through Creston with the Creston Valley Farmers’ Market, a tour of one of several local wineries, or with a tour of the Columbia Brewery, home of the Kokanee beer brand.
- Dozens of artists, creators, and artisans call the Creston Valley home, which has led to a large number of shops and galleries popping up around town. Discover more about the culture of Creston through the Creston Museum, which regularly schedules guided tours each month.
- The summers and falls also promise other ways to celebrate local arts or culture, including Summerset Fest, Beer Fest, or the Creston Valley Fall Fair.
- There are several lovely accommodation options in Creston along Highway BC-3, including locally owned hotels and motels, and a couple of chain hotels. Plus, Creston is surrounded by several campgrounds and RV resorts.
