Explore the West Kootenays

The best day trips from Rossland tend to involve a winding road, a lake, a small town, or all three. Within a couple of hours you can wander Nelson, soak in hot springs, hike into alpine country, float a river or stumble onto one of the region’s excellent summer festivals. These are some of the outings we keep going back to.

Our Regional Favourites

We’ll happily drive to Nelson for boutique shopping, Kaslo for the jazz festival, or Creston when asparagus season rolls around. On hot days, Nancy Greene Lake is a favourite for dog swims, while floating the Slocan River is about as good as summer gets. For something completely different, Monica Meadows feels almost otherworldly, and a soak at Nakusp Hot Springs is hard to argue with after a day on the road.

A winding river flowing through a natural landscape with trees and rocky banks.
A black and white butterfly perched on a purple flower with a blurred green background.
A small chipmunk sitting on a tree stump, nibbling on something.
A person mountain biking on a trail through a forested area with snow-capped mountains in the background.
A close-up of a prairie dog with gray and black fur, standing on dry grass.
A groundhog standing upright in a natural outdoor setting with green shrubs and rocks.
A black Toyota vehicle parked on a narrow dirt road in a mountainous forest area during dusk or dawn, with open car door, tall trees, and a sky with dramatic clouds
Colorful row of commercial buildings under partly cloudy sky, with a green and yellow building in the center, advertising Booksyth and The Dominion Cafe, flanked by trees and iron railing.
Rows of green fruit trees, possibly peach or nectarine, in a sunny orchard with lush grass underneath.
A stone building with three open window frames at dusk, with dark clouds and a colorful sunset in the background, and trees and mountains in the distance.
Two children in winter clothes and boots sitting on a log by a rocky riverbank, with a black and white dog between them, mountains and partially snow-covered trees in the background.
Yellow crocus flowers blooming next to a weathered wooden wall.
Close-up of a purple coneflower with drooping petals and an orange center, set against a blurred green background.
A scenic landscape of mountains at sunset with a river flowing through the valley.
A woman with shoulder-length curly hair and glasses, wearing a black shirt, is standing outdoors in a garden with various yellow and purple flowers, with her back to the camera and a floral headpiece.
Close-up of a mountain bike's rear gear cassette and derailleur in a natural outdoor setting.
A peaceful mountain landscape featuring a calm lake with rocks along the shoreline, evergreen trees on a grassy hill, and snow-capped mountains in the background under a clear sky.