Kelowna 
While driving up or down Highway 31, it may be hard to take your attention off of Kootenay Lake. But to the west and into the mountains are some incredible hidden gems. While the lake can offer a full weekend of fun, a truly incredible mountain attraction to the west can offer a full day of exploration.
Credit: Cody Cave Tours
The Cody Caves are up the mountain from Ainsworth on the Kootenay Lake Shore (and Highway 31) and provide visitors with a chance to see the BC mountains from as up close as possible.
About the Cody Caves
The discovery of the Cody Caves was in 1890, but these limestone caves started forming close to 200 million years ago. The caves are in the Selkirk Mountain range and continue to be shaped, formed, and carved by the mountain streams. The interior and exterior of the caves include delicate ecosystems, while many interior cave structures are incredibly fragile. For this reason, the caves are only accessible with a professional tour guide.
The caves are located above the Ainsworth Hot Springs which are fed by the cave stream waters. From here, it is about 10km up the mountain and to the cave entrance or parking for hikers. Outside of summer months, 4by4 vehicles are recommended for this access road.
Exploring the Caves and the Park
The only way to explore inside the Cody Caves are with a certified tour operator. The Cody Cave Tours group have experienced guides who help visitors navigate the 800m of explorable passage within the mountain. Plus, there is an extensive trail outside of the caves to explore.
- Choose between three different tour packages from Cody Cave Tours. The Family Tour enables kids as young as five to partake in the fun and lasts about 2-hours. The Explorer Tour, for kids ten and up, adds more cave exploration to the trip at about 5-hours. For the ultimate experience, they offer the Adventure Tour, which brings you as far into the caves as humans can go (6.5 hours).
- Cody Caves Provincial Park’s Interpretive Trail enables visitors to explore everywhere outside the caves with interpretive panels and many features to see. After about 20 minutes in the trail forks with one direction heading to the cave entrances and the other, which continues the interpretive trail. This type of exploration is self-guided. There are washrooms at the start of the trail and parking lot, as well as benches/viewing areas along the way.
More Great Hiking Trails around the Cody Caves
The additional trails around the West Kootenay area offer exceptional views and wildlife viewing opportunities. You’ll get views over the lake, over the communities, and into the dense mountain forests.
- Explore more nature and history of the Ainsworth area with the 4.1km Cedar Creek Loop. Along the trail are great Kootenay Lake views, and the historic town cemetery.
- Take this quick and scenic hike near Kaslo for a rewarding view! The Fletcher Falls trail is 1.1km and will get you views of the waterfall as it pours into Kootenay Lake.
- The two main trails right in Kaslo offer about 5km of hiking. The first is a simple riverside trail, while the Kaslo Viewpoint trail has a gentle climb.
Relaxing with Ainsworth Hot Springs
Continue to explore the natural features of the Cody Caves by soaking in the hot spring water. The water in the hot springs is naturally fed by the same streams that wind around the caves.
The resort is built around where the waters are naturally forced up from the earth and rocks, and there is a large natural cave open to visitors. Soak in the pool or the cave, or enjoy many other amenities at the resort. Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort sits on a hill overlooking the scenic and expansive Kootenay Lake.
- The on-site Spirit Water Spa offers an array of treatments to enhance your time at the hot springs. These include facials, massages, healing treatments, sauna time, and couples’ packages.
- Stay overnight at the resort with a variety of room options, including lakeview rooms.
- Overnight guests have complimentary access to the pool and hot springs. Day-use rates for the pool and hot springs are available for those not staying overnight.
- Enjoy views and a delicious meal from the resort’s The Ktunaxa Grill, a family-friendly restaurant.
Fun on Kootenay Lake
The community of Ainsworth is on the southwest side of Kootenay Lake near the start of the Kootenay River. This region of BC is well-known for a variety of watersport opportunities. Plus, there are a few unique attractions and tour opportunities on Kootenay Lake.
- The SS Moyie National Historic Site is about 20km north of Ainsworth and is open yearly from Mother’s Day to Thanksgiving. Take the trip during your stay to see (inside and out) the oldest intact passenger sternwheeler in the world! Before it was a museum, this sternwheeler traversed Kootenay Lake for 59 years. (Trivia – Calgary’s Heritage Park has a replica of the paddle wheeler)
- In the same shoreline area as the SS Moyie is Kaslo Bay Park with a public beach and swimming area.
- Enjoy the fishing opportunities of Kootenay Lake with Reel Adventures Sport Fishing Charters, or the paddling opportunities with Kaslo Kayaking.
- South of Ainsworth and on the lake’s shores is Kootenay Lake Park where there are excellent opportunities for self-guided fishing and paddling, or a lakeside picnic. Plus, there are on-site boat rentals for canoes, kayaks, and SUPs.
Where to Stay near the Cody Caves Provincial Park
While Cody Caves Provincial Park is day-use only, there are several more options for accommodations up and down the west shores of Kootenay Lake.
- Kootenay Lake Provincial Park has a small campground, a backcountry camping area, and a group campground.
- One of the best parts about hotels or motels in the area is that they are all lakeside and waterfront options! This includes the Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort, the Ainsworth Motel, Woodbury Resort & Marina, or the Kootenay Lakeview Resort.
- There are a handful of private vacation rentals in Ainsworth, and several more as you expand your search north and south along the lake.
Planning your Trip – Cody Caves Provincial Park
What: A series of limestone caves in the Selkirk Mountains. The caves contain an underground stream which eventually feeds the Ainsworth Hot Springs at the base of the mountain. The caves are open to limited exploration with a certified group of cavers who provide tours to the public. The park also has hiking trails that lead around the outside of the caves.
Location & how to get there: At the end of Cody Caves Forest Road, accessible from Highway BC-31
225km south of Revelstoke via BC-23 S
310km east of Vernon via BC-6
120km north of Creston via BC-3A N
Best time to go: May-November
Cost: day use hiking is free; cave tours $46-$195 per person
For more information:
