Don't miss stopping at this adorable little ice cream place on your way through Yahk on route to Creston. Hefty portions, and lots of fun flavours. They have a beautiful gift shop next door with goats on the roof, and provide access to river trails behind their building. Best to check it out for yourself! Any guesses on our favourite ice cream flavours?
Creston is known for its abundant orchards and vineyards. You'll likely see many signs on-route. Wloka Farms Fruit Stand is a well-known one. Flamenco Farms has a wide variety of produce, and offers a U-Pick cherry orchard. Drive out to Kootenay Meadows to visit this organic dairy farm, and give their fresh milk products a try. Blueberry Patch Farms is a family run U-pick farm offering many yummy produce options.
Hit up the many fruit stands along your route, and look into the Farmer's Market happening on Saturdays at 9:00am - 1:00pm in the town of Creston.
Looking to burn some time in town? The Discovery Center offers canoe tours, free use of boardwalk and dyke trails, and viewing towers.
A migration corridor and the largest regional locale for wintering birds of prey, there is 24/7 access to 30 kilometers of trails (all weaving through a massive, stunning wetland/bird sanctuary). Over 300 species of birds call this wetland home.
Creston Museum is the place to discover everything you'd need to know about the Creston Valley; from the forestry, mining, and agriculture of the pioneer years. Travel a little ways to Cranbrook and visit Fort Steele, the heritage town. Enjoy old-time trade demonstrations, steam-train rides, and Clydesdale horse-drawn wagon tours! Try gold panning, watch live theatre and street performances, and observe the museum displays... FUN FACT: Jared the history major worked here in the leather, tin, and blacksmith shops for a summer.
Hunt down your favourite books and enjoy a well-made coffee.
Check out: Skimmerhorn Winery and Vineyard Baillie-Gorham Winery Wynnwood Estate Cellars
Beer lovers! This one's for you! Home of the world famous Kokanee beer, the Columbia Brewery is located in picturesque Creston and is part of the rich brewing tradition of the region. The brewery traces its heritage to the Fort Steele Brewery, established in 1898. Columbia Brewery began brewing its celebrated Kokanne lager in 1959 and was purchased by Labatt in 1974. The FREE tours include a historical chronicle of brewing and samples at the end. Probably worth it! [Possibly closed due to Covid-19 Restrictions]
The Mt. Thompson Rim Trail is the Creston Valley’s most iconic hike. Views are expansive on both sides, stretching from the southern tip of Kootenay Lake to the north, and well past the US border to the south. The hike is 7.4km Round Trip, with 150m elevation gain, and takes approximately 5 hours.
It takes about 30 minutes to climb the winding trail and arrive at the massive balancing rock, overlooking the Creston Valley. The trail network behind the end of Balancing Rock Trail continues into dense, fern-covered forest floor. The trail forks on a wooden bridge, taking hikers to Fern Forest Trail (right), or continues to the great viewpoint on Mount Creston Trail (left).
20 mins from Cranbrook (when on the Highway 1 route from AB), you will pass by WASA LAKE. This little gem has the best sand beaches in the area, and warm waters to swim. It Is a favourIte of our's. If travelling via the south route to Cranbrook (Highway 22), KOOCANUSA day-use area is about 45 mins from Cranbrook. This massive, lake-like river is warm and incredibly blue! Along the route to Creston (Highway 95), you will see MOYIE LAKE, lovely on the eyes, but chilly to swim. KOOTENAY LAKE is further up Highway 3A, if travelling past Creston. There are beaches scattered all along this route.
This beautiful natural set of hot springs can easily be accessed from the Whiteswan Forestry Road (winding gravel) by a short hike down to the Lussier River. A change room/ toilet is located at the parking lot. No liquor or dogs or garbage are permitted at the springs and bathers must wear bathing suits. Hot springs are shallow rock pools situated along the river.
Golf resort and casino in mountain paradise, with a rich history. This unique location is worth a drive-by. The castle-like hotel is essentially the "Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel" of the Kootenays. And interestingly enough, we did a bridal photo shoot here for a wedding magazine back in October, before we were even engaged! We'd love to share the story!
This adorable little pink building in Downtown Cranbrook is a favourite spot of ours to go for breakfast dates. Best freshly baked bread, French Toast, massive serving sizes, and probably the best Beef Dip I've ever had... you can't leave the area without first trying something off their menu.
Heading north beyond Creston, along Highway 3A... The bay at the park is good for swimming and fishing. In the park there are lots of hiking tracks around and the Pilot Bay Lighthouse is nearby. Hike to the lighthouse for gorgeous views of the lake.
A little further past Creston, following Highway 3A, you will reach Kootenay Lake. The ferry ride across is FREE (as it is a part of the highway itself) and worth the treck, as on the other side is Ainsworth hotsprings! The hotsprings consist of multiple sized pools, as well as a natural mineral cave, with the hotspring water still running from its crevices. A couple summers ago we roadtripped to them, and had dinner in Nelson, catching Canada Day fireworks on our way home.