Nelson, B.C. - A Cultural Dichotomy
Nelson, B.C is nestled beside Kootenay Lake in the Selkirk Mountains of South Eastern British Columbia. We’ll be camping in the Kokanee Creek campground, just outside Nelson and it will be an excellent camping experience. With over a kilometre of sandy beaches and two campsites, there is always a lot to do here. The campground facilities include an adventure playground, visitor centre, salmon spawning channel, viewing platform, hiking trails and a marina nearby. Campground activities include hiking and biking in the campground, onsite water sports at the beach, an old growth cedar forest to explore and an onsite Visitor Information Center to help you with any other questions you may have.
Historic City of Nelson, BC
And just down the road there is the historic city of Nelson.
Here’s Hello BC’s take on Nelson:
“Nelson is one Canada's finest heritage cities, with over 350 Victorian-style buildings. This acclaimed, small-town arts community delights visitors with its rich history, creative energy and mild climate. Summer brings ideal conditions for golfing, hiking, fishing, sailing, paddling, climbing, mountain biking and bird watching. Nearby Kootenay Lake is the largest inland lake in BC. Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park is renowned for its old-growth forests and glorious wildlife in the Selkirk Mountains. Clear streams, inland lakes, wildflowers and forested valleys make Nelson a hiker's dream. Venture out on one of eight hiking trails that leave from the Visitor Centre in Kokanee Creek Provincial Park. Be sure to stop and see spawning Kokanee salmon in late summer.”
The Kootenay Region Has Loads of Activities
Our travels through the Kootenay region is one of the most action packed parts of the FreeBird Route. From breweries to backcountry, pub crawls to the hot springs 150 foot horseshoe cave it is an amazing 4 days. We start with a drive to Nelson, BC, where we will camp on the shore side of Kootenay Lake – swim, if you dare – as it is glacier fed and icy cool. What Nelson is most famous for, according to our FreeBird clients, is the pub-crawl. You will get a true feeling of Nelson and all its energy and hippie vibe as we go from one bar to the next checking out all the local chaos.
A day to unwind is usually next in store, although the adventures are plentiful - paintball, golfing, kayaking, caving and hiking up to Kokanee Glacier and the Old Growth Forest Trail to see giant, ancient cedars. We also take you out to Ainsworth Hot springs to soak away the pub-crawl blues as the sun sets on the Kootenay Mountains. Our drive continues along the lake, after the ferry crossing, checking out some amazing artisans in Crawford Bay, where you can see North Woven Broom things like the brooms made for Harry Potter, glass blowing and colourful handmade weavings. The Kokanee Brewery is our next stop, where we get a tour of the site, and a great history lesson, all while learning about Sas, the famous Sasquatch and drinking “cool, clean, refreshing Kokanee Beer”. After buying souvenirs (and likely some cold beer), we head out to our final night at the Backcountry Camp near Cranbrook, where anything goes.
Back Country Camping Near Cranbrook
Our night of back country camping is our last chance to let loose. There are no campground services here, but there is also no curfew or quiet time. By now everyone is comfortable with everyone else and we’re all ready to party. And we can! Our most popular activity here is swimming in Horseshoe Lake under the Steeples mountain range, but there is also the Fort Steele Heritage Town to see and amazing hiking and biking. A night to remember is ahead; campfire stories, fireworks and a few Canadian drinking games for those who dare.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Rent Fishing Boats, Kayaks and Canoes
Try a Sea-doo or Jet Ski
Paintball
Guided Tour of Cody Caves
Take a historic architecture walk
See the spawning salmon
Steve Martin fans, take the walking tour of the movie Roxanne
Old Growth Forest Trail
Hang out at the local beaches
