New Denver is an ideal base for exploring the area's nearby provincial parks. Each park combines varied terrain, abundant wildlife, and easy access to outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, kayaking, and fishing.
Valhalla Provincial Park
Valhalla Provincial Park features a diverse terrain of sandy beaches and rock bluffs along the west shore of Slocan Lake, dense forests covering lower mountain slopes, and bare rock and glaciers at higher elevations. This geographical variety translates to amazing opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing, and fishing, as well as short hikes and long wilderness treks. Rustic campsites line the lakeshore and beaches. The Slocan Lake side can be reached by trail from the village of Slocan, or by boat from Silverton and New Denver. Access to the alpine is either on foot from the lakeshore, or via bumpy logging roads that are best navigated with a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Either way, the fantastic scenery more than compensates.
Goat Range Provincial Park
Goat Range Provincial Park is a wild and rugged 79,000ha/195,000ac park noted as the only natural spawning ground for the unique Gerrard trout, and for its population of "white grizzly" – a rare type of grizzly bear with a white hue to its coat. Hiking in this park should be kept to designated trails. Backcountry and wilderness camping are available. Goat Range Provincial Park is accessible from Retallack, east of new Denver, and from Rosebery via the Wilson Creek Forest Service Road.
Summit Lake Provincial Park
Situated 26km/16mi north of New Denver at the height of land between the Slocan Valley and the Arrow Lakes, Summit Lake Provincial Park offers 35 campsites on a peninsula that juts out into Summit Lake. This small mountain lake is perfect for kayaking, fishing, swimming, and wildlife viewing. Come in the fall and see thousands of toads migrate from the lake into the nearby forest.
Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park
Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park is one of the oldest provincial parks in British Columbia. The park features three amazing glaciers – kokanee, caribou, and woodbury – that fees more than 30 lakes. With 85km/52.8mi of hiking trails, camping areas, and climbing terrain, the park suits all levels of outdoor adventure experience. Reach Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park via the Kokanee Creek or Woodbury Creek access roads on the Kootenay Lake side of the park. Check with the New Denver Visitor Centre for more information about provincial park in the area.