"Kootenay Lake & Kootenay Country" Kootenay Lake by sunnywong

Kootenay Lake Travel Guide: 14 reviews and 48 photos

Towns & Cities

Hwy #3A north of Creston is a spectacular lakeside drive. With mountains rising from both shores, the lake is wide and deep. At Boswell, check out the Glass House, made entirely from empty embalming fluid bottles. The world's longest free ferry ride is at Kootenay Bay. Peak summer traffic sometimes means a wait, but the 45-minute voyage is worth it. From Balfour, it is a pretty 30-minute drive to Nelson, passing the salmon spawning channel at Kokanee Creek and the road to magnificent Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.

A faster and very dramatic alternative route from Creston to Nelson is Hwy #3 to Salmo over BC's highest mountain pass, the Kootenay Pass, and then north on Hwy #6.

Nelson's Victorian character is etched on every brick and stone of Baker Street's original frontier architecture. Immerse yourself in the finest small art town in Canada. Explore the galleries and craft shops, visit the museum or ride Streetcar #23. Nelson is also an excellent home base from which to access the West Kootenay Discovery Loop and the Silvery Slocan Heritage Tour.

Last visit to Kootenay Lake: Dec 2001
Intro Written Sep 15, 2002
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Reviews (17)

Sandon Ghost Town 2 Off The Beaten Path (4)

more travel advice

Sandon Ghost Town - steam loco display 2 - Kootenay Lake

Sandon Ghost Town - steam loco display 2 Off The Beaten Path (4)

more travel advice

Sandon Ghost Town - steam loco display - Kootenay Lake

Sandon Ghost Town - steam loco display Off The Beaten Path (4)

CPR 6947 steam locomotive is on static display along the town road. more travel advice

Sandon Ghost Town Off The Beaten Path (4)

This once thriving heart of the Silvery Slocan mining region, now a renowned historic site. There are just a few... more travel advice

Things to Do (12)
See All Balfour - Kootenay Lake Ferry

Transportation (1)
ferry at Needles

Travelogues (1)

Written Oct 26, 2002

8 photos

Kaslo - S.S. Moyie sternwheeler

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Comments (5)

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XenoHumph Jul 29, 2004 at 11:47 AM

Great page on this beautiful region! I did some field work there (geology) when I was a student in Montreal.
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yeah_baby Mar 5, 2003 at 12:36 PM

another excellent page!
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Carmanah Jan 19, 2003 at 4:01 PM

This is one area of BC I have yet to visit. I will in time. Great info!
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giampiero6 Nov 5, 2002 at 9:19 AM

Another great park page :-)
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Imbi Sep 16, 2002 at 10:31 AM

sounds good