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Visit the Kootenays

Discover the Endless Adventures

the Kootenay region of BC

map of the Kootenay region of BC

Southeast British Columbia has endless attractions to experience

Things to see

Things and places for your eyes.

Places to eat

Eat here. get full.

places to stay

for when you need to rest.

places to drink

Quench your thirst.

things to tour

No shortage of things to do.

Do your homework

Travel Resources

Visitors’ Centres 

Yes, the venerable Visitor Centre is still around! And useful. I know these days you normally just grab your phone and start Googling away. And that can be pretty informative, specially if you’re using the online portal for that Visitors’ Centre. But you know what? The physical location is awfully handy. Parking, bathrooms, WiFi and an actual human you can ask questions to and stave a ton of time with online dead-ends. So here’s a map of where all the actual Centres are, and below are all the links to the various online resources. Happy planning!

Tourism Resources 

Nelson, Balfour, Crawford Bay

Cranbrook and Radium

Cranbrook Tourism

Discover Nelson

Tourism Revelstoke

Grand Forks Tourism

Nakusp BC

Kimberly BC

Fernie, BC

Creston, BC

Castlegar, BC

Rossland, BC

Kaslo, BC

Invermere, BC

Radium, BC

In the Heart of the West kootenays

The International Selkirk Loop – BC/WA/ID

Bonus Linkage

Map of Invermere Motorcycle Routes

Invermere

Welcome to Invermere! There is so much amazing riding here to be had, both on and off-road. Here’s a selection of things you can ride, destinations to visit, and places to eat/drink/shop. Everything is rideable in either direction, and with

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Map of Koch Creek Pass Motorcycle Route

Koch Creek Pass

The trip up over Koch Creek Pass is a local classic. Can be used as as a fun shortcut between Fauquier Ferry and Highway 6 in the Slocan Valley. Get the .gpx or .kml file via Gaia Gaia Tutorial on

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Map of Castlegar Motorcycle Routes

Castlegar

Welcome to the Castlegar! There is so much amazing riding here to be had, both on and off-road. Here’s a selection of things you can ride, destinations to visit, and places to eat/drink/shop. Everything is rideable in either direction, and

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Map of boundary Lake bypass motorcycle route

Boundary Lake Bypass Route

Here’s a sneaky and scenic little bypass to get you from the Kootenay Summit to Creston. It takes you along just North of the border and gives the opportunity to stop or camp at Boundary Lake rec site.  Get the

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kootenay map of the works

The WORKS

You want the works? Well, here it is! All the tracks, routes, and waypoints in one place. No better way to see the big picture, everything in one view. Way easier to plan that next ride, so get at it!

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To get motorcycle riders to stay camp at Riders Retreat in Nakusp BC

Riders Retreat

Located in Beautiful Nakusp, British Columbia, Riders Retreat is the only all-inclusive Motorcycle Campground in the world. It was built exclusively with motorcyclists in mind. It is certainly the most unique accommodations that Nakusp has to offer. Upon arrival at

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Darkwoods

What is Darkwoods? Well, its 63,000 Hectares of Conservation land just outside of Nelson. It’s a MASSIVE hunk of preserved wilderness, but lucky for us, there’s still some roads that go through it. It’s also known for the tiny community

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a picture of a frozen summit lake with motorcycle

Ride Report – Trout Lake Loop

As part of my mission to bring you’all the most current and detailed info about riding in the Kootenays, I braved the cold and headed out. Found myself with a 3 day window, so headed out to basically do the

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Digital downloadable map of Fire Tower Lookouts in BC

Fire Tower Lookouts

Fire Lookouts Who doesn’t like a epic view? They put fire towers on the tops of mountains for a reason. But we get to enjoy the view! Some of these locations still have a tower you can climb and really

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a map Granby Whatshan Edgewood shelter bay

Granby / Whatshan / Shelter Bay Route

Want a way to get from Grand Forks to the Shelter Bay ferry avoiding all that pavement through Nakusp? Have we got the answer for you! Stellar gravel riding through the Granby, Edgewood, Whatshan Lake and along the West shore

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map of kootenay pass motorcycle route

Kootenay Pass Loop Route

Ok folks, this one is a classic! A paved, smooth, flowy cruise, it takes the rider through some spectacular scenery. Along the North Shore of Kootenay lake, across the longest free ferry in the world, through the twisties on the

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Fernie BC is a destination hub for cruiser ADV and dual sport motorcycle adventures to ride paved and gravel routes.

Fernie

Welcome to Fernie! You’ll find a thriving cultural scene, the enthusiasm of a vibrant youthful population and a scenic, tranquil location in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Located in south-eastern British Columbia, Canada (maps), Fernie is a 3-hour

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West Kootenays

So much amazingness in the West Kootenays to explore! Smooth, twisty roads and stellar backcounty. It’s all here to download in one PACK. Get the .gpx or .kml file via Gaia Gaia Tutorial on using files So, here’s how the

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Map of Revelstoke Motorcycle Routes

Revelstoke

Welcome to Revelstoke! There is so much amazing riding here to be had, both on and off-road. Here’s a selection of things you can ride, destinations to visit, and places to eat/drink/shop. Everything is rideable in either direction, and with

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Get Lost, Find Yourself – 2024

“Get Lost…Find Yourself”  Adventure and Dualsport Motorcycle camping weekend. Welcome to the Second Annual “Get Lost…Find Yourself” Adventure & Dualsport Motorcycle campout, taking place September 5-8, 2024 on beautiful northern Vancouver Island. This event is a charity fundraiser for HeadsUpGuys.org.  https://headsupguys.org/

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Bulldogish

What’s Bulldogish? Well, for lack of a better name, it’s the network of roads and trails that wander around the Bulldog Tunnel. Encompassing a loose circle that includes Castlegar, Christina Lake, Grand Forks and Edgewood this area has a ton

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Nelson BC is a destination hub for cruiser ADV and dual sport motorcycle adventures to ride paved and gravel routes.

Nelson

Welcome to Nelson! There is so much amazing riding here to be had, both on and off-road. Here’s a selection of things you can ride, destinations to visit, and places to eat/drink/shop. Everything is rideable in either direction, and with

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Toad Rock

There may be no other place quite like Toad Rock. It holds a special place in the heart of any Rider who has laid their head there… Toad Rock is located in the small B.C. town of Balfour and in the middle

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Ride Report – The Invermere Excursion

With the last week of August upon us, the summer was quickly disappearing. After almost 4 months, MissVelocity’s broken leg was finally strong enough to get back on the bike. Waahooo! That was the longest summer ever for her, so

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BC Fuel Stations

It’s sorta one of those things. If you travel around, you need gas. And when you need it, you really need it! Here’s a map of places to get fuel. Is this EVERY station? Of course not. If you’re headed

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5/5
Wait, what? We did that and didn't die? I guess that's a win!
Craig Luke
5/5
You're damn right we didn't die! Takes a lot more than that!
Vera Horsman