Camping in the Kootenays
 

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:

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

+1 on that hike, spectacular views!

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.

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.

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. :)

reply
 

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...ays/index.html

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

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.

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:

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: