Creston, a featured stop along three driving routes through the Kootenay Rockies region, sits at the edge of the broad Kootenay River Valley, just 15 minutes north of the Canada/US border.
It is also at the southern end of Highway 3A in British Columbia – a scenic highway that winds along the east shore of Kootenay Lake. Motorcyclists come here from all over North America to ride this stretch.
Car Travel
Highway 3, the main southern TransProvincial highway, runs right along Creston's main shopping street. Head east to reach Cranbrook (106km/66mi) and Calgary, Alberta (508km/316mi), or west to the Okanagan Valley (340km/211mi) and Vancouver (739km/459mi). The Creston Valley is also an important route for traffic from the US. Highway 21 heads south to the international boundary, and continues to Sandpoint, ID (107km/66mi), Coeur D'Alene, ID (171km/111mi) and Spokane, WA (229km/142mi).
Read More
North of town, Highway 3A passes Duck Lake, then weaves in and out of the trees along the east shore of Kootenay Lake – all the way to the ferry landing at Kootenay Bay. From there, the world's longest free ferry ride traverses 10km/6mi of open water to the small community of Balfour.
Highway 3A provides an alternative to the high mountain pass west of Creston, and is a much more enjoyable way to get from Creston to Nelson (125km/78mi). Volume delays at the ferry are not uncommon during the summer, but a beach and a cafe right next to the ferry dock make it easy to tolerate the wait. Car and truck rentals are available in Creston at Rent-a-Wreck on Northwest Boulevard.
Public Transportation
Greyhound Canada runs two buses eastbound and two westbound every day – linking Creston with Calgary, Alberta, the Okanagan Valley, and Vancouver. From Monday to Friday, BC Transit operates 5 different routes around town. A connector service to Cranbrook runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays (reservations are required). Dart Taxi operates in the Creston area – even on weekends.
Air Travel
Creston is within easy reach of two Kootenay Rockies airports. West Kootenay Regional Airport in Castlegar, with service to Vancouver and Calgary, is 125km/78mi west on Highway 3. The Canadian Rockies International Airport, offering domestic service to Vancouver and Calgary, and international service to the US, is located just north of Cranbrook (121km/76mi). The Creston Valley Airport (6km/4mi south of town) is suitable for small private aircraft only.
Stop by the Creston Visitor Centre for maps of the area and more information about transportation options.
Read Less
Transportation Service Providers