Getting Here
Travel by car, air or via the longest free ferry in the world — Your Choice
The west Kootenays, and specifically, the Kootenay Lake area, is well known for its scenic beauty. Arriving here is literally breathtaking. Whether you choose to fly in to Castlegar or Trail, or arrive by car via a well-maintained highway lined with trees, we look forward to your visit.
Arriving By Car — West Kootenay Highways
The highways leading into the southwest Kootenays are some of the most scenic and beautiful in North America. Motorcycle riders and cyclists take pains to pilgrimage here to enjoy touring on these roads. So getting here by car via our highways is literally part of your journey; part of the experience.
From Vancouver — West of the Kootenays
You will arrive to the area from Vancouver via Highways 3. From there, highway 3B leads to Champion Lakes Provincial Park. To Syringa Creek Provincial Park, you take exit 22-S off of highway 3 and drive about 30 minutes to the park.
To get to Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, you will continue on highway 3 through Nelson, where it will become highway 3A. Kokanee Creek Provincial Park is off of highway 3A about 20 minutes past Nelson over the orange bridge.
From Calgary — East of the Kootenays
The same “Crowsnest Highway” will take you into the southwest Kootenays from Calgary. Highway 3B-W takes you to all our campgrounds. Highway 3B-W changes into 3A and takes you to the Kokanee Creek Provincial Park.
Highway 3B-W takes you straight to Fruitvale and on to Champion Lakes Provincial Park. The same highway 3 will take you to Syringa Creek Provincial Park.
Visit Drive BC for up to date road information.
Arriving from the United States
If you are coming to the southwest Kootenays from the United States, you will, of course, need the proper identification, and to know the regulations around what you can and can’t bring into each country. Make sure to check the detailed information provided by both governments. Entrance requirements also vary depending on your country of citizenship, so make sure to review all this carefully before you arrive at the border.
Border Crossing Points
Arriving to the southwest Kootenays from the United States, you will most likely use one of these three border crossings. Note that only one of these is a 24 hour border:
- Metaline Falls/Nelway is open from 8am to 12am.
- Boundary/Waneta is open from 9am to 5pm.
- Frontier/Paterson is open 24 hours all year round.
Kootenay Lake Ferry Schedule
Check DriveBC for Current Conditions and Events at this ferry.
All Times are Pacific Time
Highlighted Area indicates peak Ferry Travel – anticipate delays during this period
|
Vessel Name |
Departure from Balfour Terminal |
Departure from Kootenay Bay Terminal |
||
|
SUMMER |
WINTER |
SUMMER |
WINTER |
|
|
Osprey 2000 |
6:30 AM |
6:30 AM |
7:10 AM |
7:10 AM |
|
Osprey 2000 |
8:10 AM |
8:10 AM |
9:00 AM |
9:00 AM |
|
Osprey 2000 |
9:50 AM |
9:50 AM |
10:40 AM |
10:40 AM |
|
M.V. Balfour |
10:40 AM |
11:30 AM |
||
|
Osprey 2000 |
11:30 AM |
11:30 AM |
12:20 PM |
12:20 PM |
|
M.V. Balfour |
12:20 PM |
1:10 PM |
||
|
Osprey 2000 |
1:10 PM |
1:10 PM |
2:00 PM |
2:00 PM |
|
M.V. Balfour |
2:00 PM |
2:50 PM |
||
|
Osprey 2000 |
2:50 PM |
2:50 PM |
3:40 PM |
3:40 PM |
|
M.V. Balfour |
3:40 PM |
4:30 PM |
||
|
Osprey 2000 |
4:30 PM |
4:30 PM |
5:20 PM |
5:20 PM |
|
M.V. Balfour |
5:20 PM |
6:10 PM |
||
|
Osprey 2000 |
6:10 PM |
6:10 PM |
7:00 PM |
7:00 PM |
|
Osprey 2000 |
7:50 PM |
7:50 PM |
08:40 PM |
8:40 PM |
|
Osprey 2000 |
9:40 PM |
9:40 PM |
10:20 PM |
10:20 PM |
SUMMER: The M.V. Balfour operates from mid-June up to and including Labour Day. Food Services on M.V. Osprey 2000 Only
Upper Arrow Lake Ferry Schedule
DAILY SCHEDULE IN EFFECT
All times are Pacific Time
Check DriveBC for Current Conditions and Events at this ferry.
| Leaves Shelter Bay | Leaves Galena Bay |
|---|---|
| 5:00 A.M. | 5:30 A.M. |
| 6:00 A.M. | 6:30 A.M. |
| 7:00 A.M. | 7:30 A.M. |
| 8:00 A.M. | 8:30 A.M. |
| 9:00 A.M. | 9:30 A.M. |
| 10:00 A.M. | 10:30 A.M. |
| 11:00 A.M. | 11:30 A.M. |
| 12:00 NOON | 12:30 P.M. |
| 1:00 P.M. | 1:30 P.M. |
| 2:00 P.M. | 2:30 P.M. |
| 3:00 P.M. | 13:30 P.M. |
| 4:00 P.M. | 14:30 P.M. |
| 5:00 P.M. | 15:30 P.M. |
| 6:00 P.M. | 6:30 P.M. |
| 7:00 P.M. | 7:30 P.M. |
| 8:00 P.M. | 8:30 P.M. |
| 9:00 P.M. | 9:30 P.M. |
| 10:00 P.M. | 10:30 P.M. |
| 11:00 P.M. | 11:30 P.M. |
| 12:00 MIDNIGHT | 12:30 A.M. |
Arrival By Plane
The southwest Kootenays, including the Kootenay Lake area, includes airports in Trail and Castlegar. Three hours from Nelson, Cranbrook also has an international airport. For charter flights, Nelson and Kaslo have airports right downtown.
Castlegar and Trail Airports
Castlegar, very close to both Syringa Campground and Champion Lakes, is home to the West Kootenay regional airport with regular scheduled Air Canada flights daily between both Calgary and Vancouver.
Castlegar Airport is a 32 minute drive to Fruitvale, which is the closest town to Champion Lakes Provincial Park. It is 29 minutes to Syringa Creek Provincial Park.
Trail airport works for both regularly scheduled flights with Pacific Coastal Air as well as charter flights. Trail Airport is a short 13 minute drive to Fruitvale.