Camping in the Kootenays

[muck]

We will be camping for a week this summer at Kokanee Creek Prov Park and it will be the first time for us in the area. I am looking for information on other campgrounds (for future holidays) as well as places and things we need to do/see. Any information is welcome.

:biggrin:

[soapy]

The hike up around Kokanee glacier is spectacular. There are lots of little lakes and rolling meadows as well as the glaciers. Very cool.

[Blom]

+1 on that hike, spectacular views!

[pinhead]

We've camped at Kokannee Creek before and two real close attractions are the Cody Caves and Ainsworth Hot Springs. The caves are up at the top of a ridge near Ainsworth Hot Springs and are very accessable - even for little kids.

Ainsworth Hot Springs is worth going to because it doesn't smell of sulphur like a lot of Hot springs. It also has a cold water plunge pool that is very refreshing and a cave (old mine shaft) that loops around and has water splashing down out of cracks in the ceiling.

[robzilla]

lots to do up that part of the lake. more camping to be found on the arrow lake near castlegar, syringa provincial park. water is warmer than kootenay lake. or a short drive over to the slocan lake thru kaslo. try to make plans to go to idaho peak and sandon. there's another member on here, chris, who almost goes camping every weekend, with his family. he can direct you to lots of great spots, depending on what you're looking to do.
if you're after more info, let me know as i work in nelson and could get a list of stuff for you based on what you like to do.

[hockey nut]

If you want to kill a couple of hours on a hot day you could also take the Kootney ferry from Balfour across the main lake for some ice cream / lunch browse small local shops etc and then take the ferry back. There is no cost for the ferry, Balfour is about 8-10 minutes from where you are I believe.

Also the Eagle View restaurant in Balfour has good food and a great view. A little $$ but not too bad.

Also in Kaslo there is an old paddle wheel boat ( The SS Moyia ) that used to steam up and down the Kootneys many years ago that has been restored for visitors to see. It's a small attraction but if you're in the area it's worth a look.

hth


Enjoy your trip. :)

[danny zubot]

If you are looking to travel around locally, try checking out the artisans at Crawford bay, across the ferry from where you'll be camping. It makes a good day trip and is very cool to see the "old trades" in action.

There are many website to fill you in on the adventures around here though, here's one to get you started. Oh, but don't plan on any visits to LFS, there aren't really any around here.:lol:
http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/hiking/kootenays/index.html

Any chance of you bringing some frags down here from Edmonton?:mrgreen:

[chris121277]

What kind of campsite are you looking for? ie provincial, private, forestry?
also depends on what your camping in as to what sites are good for larger units.

[muck]

Thanks for all the responses so far guys..

Chris,
We have a 24' trailer with truck. Would like a nice lake/beach (good for young ankle-biters), showers and flush toilets would be a nice bonus too. Provincial or private don't really matter.

Also debating if I should pickup a weekly fishing license for BC and bring my fly rod. Im not a crazy fisher nut but enjoy getting my line wet. :razz:

[EmilyB]

Would like a nice lake/beach (good for young ankle-biters),

Unless something has changed, you're not going to find that up in that neck of the woods. We went up their one summer with a 2-year old. Ended up heading back out as soon as possible to a more southern BC location with nice warm lake/beach. :biggrin:

[chris121277]

Unless something has changed, you're not going to find that up in that neck of the woods. We went up their one summer with a 2-year old. Ended up heading back out as soon as possible to a more southern BC location with nice warm lake/beach. :biggrin:

We are about 20 mins from the US border, so not sure were a more southern place in B.C. is......are you sure your talking about the same place?

[chris121277]

Thanks for all the responses so far guys..

Chris,
We have a 24' trailer with truck. Would like a nice lake/beach (good for young ankle-biters), showers and flush toilets would be a nice bonus too. Provincial or private don't really matter.

Also debating if I should pickup a weekly fishing license for BC and bring my fly rod. Im not a crazy fisher nut but enjoy getting my line wet. :razz:

If your into Provincial campgrounds there is a nice one about 20-30 min's north of Nakusp called McDonald creek, the water will be alot warmer there then the Kootenay (it's on the upper Arrow Lake).
Or there's Syringa about 20mins out of Castlegar (Lower Arrow)
If you want to go to the realy good sites, check out the forestry site's (no showers or flush toilets thow)

[StirCrazy]

Ok I can't believe all the interior BC people who are neglecting to tell you the must see attraction, either they are not proud of being in BC or they just don't want to let the secret out of the bag.. anyways you have to take a drive to creston and take a tour of the kokanee breweries :mrgreen:

we used to camp overnight at the campsite right across the street every time we did an Alberta road trip.

oh don't forget to take a picture of the "Sask" crossing signs as you enter or leave town.

Steve

[danny zubot]

Kokanee! YUK!

Even worse.....Nelson Brewery. Unless of course you like dirty hippy beer that tastes like it was made from grass clippings. Hmm, maybe Kokanee isn't so bad after all.

[robzilla]

Ok I can't believe all the interior BC people who are neglecting to tell you the must see attraction, either they are not proud of being in BC or they just don't want to let the secret out of the bag.. anyways you have to take a drive to creston and take a tour of the kokanee breweries :mrgreen:



we can't be letting all the local secrets out at once :) we have to have some perks for living in the sticks :)

[StirCrazy]

Kokanee! YUK!

Even worse.....Nelson Brewery. Unless of course you like dirty hippy beer that tastes like it was made from grass clippings. Hmm, maybe Kokanee isn't so bad after all.

haha, thats what I used to think also, now after living on the island for 20 years, I still like my blue, but Kokanee will do. I do like kootaney ale though...

Steve

[EmilyB]

We are about 20 mins from the US border, so not sure were a more southern place in B.C. is......are you sure your talking about the same place?

Um yah...

map here:

Just look south Muck and go to Moyie...:lol:

http://www.hellobc.com/NR/rdonlyres/6F6A8622-4774-4B15-B0DD-5C97E62DFA5F/0/region_kootenay.jpg

[muck]

Thanks for the map Deb.
We are headed for Nelson area so I think we will be ok.
*crosses fingers*

Where did you camp in Moyie btw?

[Malibu]

I believe there is beach access from that camp ground. The provincial park is a little pricey to stay at, but well set up. Syringa out past Castlegar is nice and the beach has a play area for kids, if I remember correctly. The Nancy Greene campground above Rossland, has a nice beach with play area as well, but that one is usually very busy, though as it's just off the highway. There is also a nice campground out past Trail on the Pend'Oreille river that has a nice beach. Also look into Christina Lake campgrounds. Depending on how far you're wanting to go, of course, there is LOTS of camping and outdoor activities in the area. Kaslo has some camp sites and some nice fishing. Nelson is a nice city to wander around in and has some excellent little bistros and restaurants. If you do visit the Castlegar area, there's a Dukhobor museum and restaurant that is well worth visiting. It's inexpensive and rich in area history.

**ignore the area tag under my name... I used to live in Castlegar** :wink:

[danny zubot]

I second the Christina Lake area, especially Cascade falls.

[chris121277]

Christina lake is way to bizzy for my liking.....But if your into Kootenay Lake and full hook ups i'd recomend Woodberry resort, the sites are kinda small but they have a pool, small playground and a large sandy beach, the fishing there is fantastic (I saw a 19pd rainbow get pulled in there a few months ago). If you stand at the mouth of Woodberry creek I here it's good place for fly fishing as well.
It's aprox 20 min south of Kaslo.

[mark]

I was going suggest Christina as well a a nice place but thought am a little biased as grew up there.

Texas Pt is good, little rocky, beach on the south end is sandy but day use only.

[EmilyB]

Muck I think it was just the provincial park, we could reserve and always got a place close to the beach, and the site secluded. If I remember correctly, they always had fun stuff going on there as well, interactive things about wildlife etc.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/moyie_lk/