Nestled in the Selkirk Mountain Range, Castlegar is close to two provincial parks where you can enjoy camping, swimming, fishing, hiking and cycling. In winter, Castlegar has local cross-country ski trails. The community is also within a short drive of two mountain resorts.
The area around Castlegar is home to nine dams, including Hugh Keenleyside and Brilliant Dams.
On foot, discover local area history on the Merry Creek Trails. The wildlife viewing is terrific on Mel DeAnna Trail. The Waldie Island Trail features interpretive signs. For cyclists, the Columbia & Western abandoned railway runs from Castlegar to Midway, connecting to the Kettle Valley Railway on a 162-km (100-mile) thrill ride. South of Castlegar,
Rossland is known as "Canada's Mountain Biking Capital," offering a network of interconnected trails through forested slopes.
Two provincial parks offer great camping and wildlife viewing: Syringa Provincial Park has day use/picnic areas and hiking trails, while Champion Lakes Provincial Park features scenic hiking and mountain biking trails as well as day-use/picnic areas.
Castlegar's 18-hole golf course is built on a secluded plateau nestled in the Selkirk Mountains. The Castlegar Recreation Complex Community Skate Park is popular with kids of all ages. For an aerial view of the area, take a helicopter or fixed-wing tour.
The Doukhobor Discovery Centre is a reconstructed communal village with over 1,000 artifacts relating to the Russian pacifists' pioneering lifestyle. The unique Russian Orthodox Chapel House was built some 60 years ago by Russian Alexander Zuckerberg. Walk across a hand-built, 133-m (473-ft) suspension bridge to see this beautifully restored building at
Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park. The area around Castlegar is home to several dams, including Hugh Keenleyside and Brilliant Dams, both of which feature interpretive signs. Head to
Nelson -close to Castlegar- for a self-guided tour of some 350 restored heritage buildings.
In the early 1900s, Castlegar became home to the Doukhobors, a group of Russian pacifists who immigrated to Canada to escape persecution. Visit the
Doukhobor Discovery Centre to learn more about these fascinating people. Tour the scenic Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park, home to the Russian Orthodox Chapel House, built some 60 years ago. On the island, you can also see the area where the Lakes Band of Interior Salish peoples first fished and built their winter pit houses at least 3,500 years ago as well as visit a reconstructed pit house.
The Castlegar Museum is housed in a rail station some 90 years old - one of the most well-preserved stations in BC. Shop for hand-crafted items by nearly 100 Kootenay-region artists at the Kootenay Gallery of Art, History & Science. Visit nearby
Nelson, one of Canada's finest small-town arts communities, to enjoy the popular Artwalk and Streetfest arts festivals. A short drive to
Rossland will have you exploring pioneer life at the
Rossland Historical Museum, where you can also tour the legendary Le Roi Gold Mine.
Visit the beautifully restored Russian Orthodox Chapel House -built some 60 years ago- on Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park. Here you'll also see where the Lakes Band of Interior Salish peoples first lived approximately 3,500 years ago. The Doukhobor Discovery Centre recreates the communal village settlement of the Russian pacifists who immigrated to Canada. Come view the pioneering practices, fascinating arts and crafts and unique customs of this group. The Castlegar Museum, housed in a well-preserved rail station built some 90 years ago, gives visitors a sense of life in the early 1900s. There's even an authentic station agent's residence on the upper floor.
The Castlegar Recreation Complex Community Skate Park attracts kids of all ages. Popular local parks include Pass Creek Regional Park. A short drive from Castlegar, visit Rossland to learn about pioneer life at the Rossland Historical Museum and tour the legendary Le Roi Gold Mine. You'll also want to visit
Nelson with its 350 restored heritage buildings.
For an evening of theatre make the short drive to
Nelson, where the Capitol Theatre stages productions throughout the year. The David Thompson Cultural Centre is a popular venue for musical, theatrical and literary performances. You can also catch the Castlegar Rebels, a Kootenay International Junior Hockey League team, on ice at the Castlegar Recreation Complex.
Wildlife and natural wonders abound in several provincial parks near Castlegar. Spot elk, deer and bighorn sheep on the rocky bluffs in Syringa Provincial Park. Located along the banks of Lower Arrow Lake, the park offers camping, day-use/picnic areas and hiking trails. Camping and bird watching in Champion Lakes Provincial Park go together naturally. You can also cycle or hike park trails and enjoy day-use/picnic areas. The "Lookout Trail" leads to a lovely view of three connected lakes. Enjoy a great view of the Columbia Valley at the Ootischenia Lookout southeast of Castlegar. Take time to view the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers as well.
For those who love water, there are plenty of beaches and swimming areas in and around Castlegar, including Syringa and Champion Lakes Provincial Parks as well as Pass Creek Regional Park.
For complete body and mind immersion, the Kootenay Rockies region features many soothing mineral
hot springs. Close to Castlegar, dip into the unique horseshoe-shaped cave of Ainsworth Hot Springs, where a steamy shower of mineralized water falls from the cave's roof and creates a natural steam bath.
Anglers find themselves hooked on Castlegar. Popular fishing spots include Arrow Lake and the Kootenay River. Secluded Kootenay Lake is the largest inland lake in BC - an ideal location for catching Gerrard rainbow and bull trout as well as kokanee.
Paddlers can put in on the Slocan River for scenic canoeing and kayaking. The shallow reed- and rush-choked waterway teems with the waterfowl and wildlife of the Walter Clough Wildlife Reserve. For great beaches and swimming, visit Syringa and Champion Lakes Provincial Parks as well as Pass Creek Regional Park.
Castlegar is conveniently located between two terrific downhill ski resorts. Just a 45-minute drive away, take on the great terrain and spectacular setting of Whitewater Winter Resort, noted for wide-open glades and bowls as well as steep, deep runs. If you want to escape the crowds and experience deep powder, head to Red Mountain. Here you'll carve your way down runs featuring exhilarating steeps, powder-filled bowls and spectacular tree skiing. Backcountry heli-skiing adventures are available too. The Castlegar area also offers excellent cross-country skiing and snowshoeing: there are some 45 km (28 mi) of routes along the popular Paulson Trails. Snowmobile enthusiasts can ride within 15 to 20 minutes of town.