Cool refreshing waters, warm swimming lakes, and family-friendly beach settings, are all found in the the Kootenay Rockies region of British Columbia.
Head to the warm waters of Wasa Lake for swimming, canoeing, camping, fishing, boating, cycling, windsurfing, and waterskiing. Relax on long sandy beaches that complement the cool, deep blue waters of Moyie Lake in Moyie Lake Provincial Park. At Windermere Lake in James Chabot Provincial Park swim, picnic, canoe, kayak, fish, and windsurf. Explore on foot or mountain bike the rugged setting of Upper and Lower Arrow Lakes, which also offers great swimming, and fishing.
The optimal times for swimming in the Kootenay Rockies region are July and August. Wasa, Moyie, Windermere, and Arrow Lakes do not have on-duty lifeguards.
Wasa Lake
Take a dip in Wasa Lake, the warmest swimming lake in the Kootenay Rockies. Wasa Lake Provincial Park features 4 buoyed swimming-access zones in the day-use, picnic areas. Warm waters and 2,000m/6,562ft of gently sloping beaches draw swimmers and sunbathers to the lake's shoreline. Wasa also attracts visitors for canoeing, camping, fishing, boating, cycling, windsurfing, and waterskiing. Kids enjoy the adventure playground.
Wasa Lake Provincial Park, located 30min north of Cranbrook off Hwy 93/95, has an 8km/5mi biking-accessible lakeshore trail, and a 2.7km/1.7mi self-guided interpretation trail. Several of the park's beaches have picnic tables, grassed areas, and pit toilets.
Moyie Lake
Moyie Lake is marked by deep blue waters and 1,300m/4,265ft of developed sandy beach, backed by a large grassy area – the perfect location for both swimmers and sunbathers. Kids particularly love the Lake's buoyed, shallow swimming area. Other water sport options include windsurfing, sailing, and boating, while onshore, beach volleyball courts are available.
Moyie Lake is accessible via Moyie Lake Provincial Park, which offers a large day-use area, covered picnic tables, boat launch, and 111-site campground. A change house, hot showers, and flush toilets are also provided. Moyie Lake is 15min south of Cranbrook, on Hwy 3/95.
Windermere Lake
Windermere Lake is located between the spectacular Rocky and Purcell Mountains. Windermere's broad, sandy beach is backed by open grassy fields, offering an idyllic retreat for swimming, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking, trout fishing, and windsurfing. Amenities include a playground, picnic tables, toilets, and drinking water. Windermere Lake is accessed off Hwy 93/95 at Invermere and Windermere.
Arrow Lakes
Arrow Lakes is situated at the widening of the Columbia River, between the Selkirk and Monashee Mountains. Noted for their beauty, the lakes feature strips of beach that vary from several to several 1000m in width, and are interspersed with rocky headlands and steep cliffs. Densely forested mountainsides rise from the lakeshores, reaching elevations as high as 2,700m/8,858ft. In addition to swimming and fishing, Arrow Lakes' rugged setting offers easy-moderate hiking and mountain biking opportunities.The Lakes are accessible at various points along Hwy 6 and 23.
Show Less