A camperized van with mountain bikes drives down the Main Street, with Selkirk Mountains in Revelstoke, British Columbia. Image credit Ramon Cliff via Shutterstock

9 Offbeat Towns to Visit in British Columbia

British Columbia is one of Canada’s most fascinating and priceless provinces, renowned for its eclectic blend of cultures, landscapes, and history. When it comes to exploring the state in search of these elements, the usual favorites for many are Tofino, Vancouver, and Whistler. However, these destinations are not alone in terms of outdoor allure, rustic charms, and history and cultural richness. They are just on the front line, and tourists who dare to look beyond them will find more than a handful of enchanting, offbeat towns to explore. From Nakusp to Tumbler Ridge, uncover nine towns in British Columbia that should be on your bucket list.

Rossland

Rossland is a magnificent town high up the Monashee Mountains and famous for the nearby Red Mountain Resort and the Old Glory Mountain. Across all seasons, these mountains host recreation like mountain biking and hiking in summer and skiing in winter. For nature and tree lovers, the 100-acre Wood Old-Growth Forest is just outside the town and offers opportunities to hike amidst gigantic trees and relax on benches at intervals to better soak in the serenity.

In town, visitors can uncover the area’s iconic past at the Rossland Museum & Discovery Center, featuring exhibits and outdoor events like culture festivals and tours. For art aficionados, Stephanie Gauvin Art Gallery is a must-visit to see impressive landscape art.

Revelstoke

Revelstoke is a charming town on the banks of the majestic Columbia River, with ever-changing scenery and year-round recreation. Visit this town and start an adventure by visiting the Revelstoke Dam Visitors Center to explore exhibits and proceed to the dam with a camera to capture its magnificent sights. Next, take on the best trails in the area, like the Asulkan Valley Trail and Jade Lakes Trail. Proceed to SkyTrek Adventure Park for thrilling zipline adventures, and afterward, visit the Enchanted Forest.

Catch up on the town’s history later at the Revelstoke Museum & Archives, or learn about its railway roots at the Revelstoke Railway Museum, featuring old train cars and antiques. Before leaving town, munch on tasty delicacies at the The Village Idiot Bar and Grill or Chubby Funsters Kitchen and Cocktails.

Fernie

Fernie is a small, lovely town framed by the iconic Rocky Mountains and lavish with scenic attractions and landscapes that will make visitors consider extending their stay. For starters, hikers can always explore the nearby 4.6-kilometer trail that leads to Fairy Creek Falls to behold the splendid natural views of this cascading beauty. Maiden Lake is another scenic spot in town to enjoy picnics and stroll around the water, with lovely views of Three Sisters Mountain and Mount Proctor.

For more recreation, visitors can head just a few minutes to Mount Fernie Provincial Park to fish on the Elk River, hike, camp, bike, picnic, and enjoy views of a beautiful waterfall. Meanwhile, the Fernie Museum is also a must-see attraction in town to immerse in the area’s interesting past. To wrap up, one can relax at Vogue Theatre with thrilling movies or enjoy delicious meals at the Brickhouse Bar and Grill.

Golden

Golden is a lovely town in the Rocky Mountains Trench with great scenery and plenty of draw cards. Here, visitors will be met with attractions like the Golden Skybridge, which runs over a deep canyon and features picturesque mountain views. Kicking Horse River is another great attraction in town, where one can admire more natural scenery and see a Pedestrian Bridge representing the longest freestanding timber frame bridge in Canada. Meanwhile, the town is also home to Cedar Lake, a picturesque waterbody for swimming and picnicking.

Nearby, visitors are invited to hike a short mountain trail to the alpine Gorman Lake to enjoy relaxing dips in the glistening waters. Art lovers can always kick back at the Art Gallery of Golden-Kicking Horse Culture, browsing its collection of fascinating paintings. When it's time to wine and dine The Wolf’s Den is an excellent destination.

Nakusp

Nakusp is a charming offbeat town on Upper Arrow Lake surrounded by the Selkirk and Monashee mountains and close to several hot springs. Once here, visitors can start with a therapeutic soak at the Nakusp Hot Springs before heading out to Arrow Lake to enjoy boat cruises, kayaking, canoeing, and sunbathing.

Next, walk along the Waterfront Walkway for views of Arrow Lake and the imposing mountains framing it. Proceed to explore the history of the town's hot springs, railroad, Arrow Lake, early traditions, and several wars through exhibits at Nakusp and District Museum. Don’t miss the chocolates at Jennifer's Chocolates, and taste delectable wines at Valley of the Springs Winery before leaving.

Clearwater

A young woman admiring the view of Helmcken Falls, an incredibly beautiful waterfall. Helmcken Falls is on the Murtle River within Wells Gray Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada — Helmcken Falls, on the Murtle River within Wells Gray Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada.

Clearwater is nature's dwelling place in British Columbia, lying at the North Thompson River Valley, where Clearwater River runs into the North Thompson River. In addition, Clearwater is fenced by Trophy, Raft, and Dunn Mountains, making it more majestic. Meanwhile, the town is the closest to the staggering Wells Gray Provincial Park and serves as a gateway to the park. Visitors are invited to this park to wonder at its prime attractions like Spahatas Falls, Helmcken Falls, Dawson Falls, Clearwater Lake, and Myrtle Lake.

Within the town, visitors can swim, sunbathe, kayak, canoe, boat, and enjoy picnics at Dutch Lake Park or embark on a whitewater rafting expedition on the Clearwater River. Weekend visitors can always head to the Farmer’s Market to shop, wine, dine and socialize with locals.

Ladysmith

Ladysmith is a seaside town where tourists will be spoiled with enchanting attractions and picturesque scenery. On the outdoors, the town is home to several parks like Transfer Beach Park and Gourlay-Janes Park, both offering opportunities for picnicking, and swimming. Additionally, Transfer Beach Park has live music events in summer and kayaking. Hikers can explore the nearby 5.8-kilometer loop Holland Creek Trail that runs along the banks of Holland Creek and through lush forests.

History buffs can check out the Ladysmith Museum to see artifacts and exhibits reflecting the town's heritage and roots. Elsewhere, shopping enthusiasts can purchase antiques as souvenirs at the Antiques Post Office Mall or beautiful pottery items at Mary Fox Pottery shop.

Hornby Island

Hornby Island is one of the Islands in the northernmost part of the Gulf Islands near the Comox Valley of Vancouver Island, where nature and culture intertwine. Once here, enjoy stunning beach beauty at the Tribune Bay Provincial Park and also kayak, snorkel, and swim in the water. Proceed to Fossil Beach Farm to enjoy more water scenery and explore interesting geological formations and fossils. Afterward, head to Helliwell Provincial Park for more water sports and to hike around bluffs and Douglas-fir trees.

More great outdoor attractions in this town worth a visit include Sandpiper Beach Park and Helliwel Provincial Park. Away from the outdoors, Hornby Island invites visitors to savor delicious pizza at Hornby Island Bakery & Pizzeria, shop for arts and crafts at Ringside Market, and enjoy dining with ocean views at the Breeze Restaurant.

Tumbler Ridge

Kinuseo Falls Canada, Northern Rockies, British Columbia — Kinuseo Falls, Canada, Northern Rockies, British Columbia.

Tumbler Ridge is an outdoor paradise within the Rocky Mountains and at the confluence of Murray River and Flatbed Creek. Here, tourists will struggle to leave courtesy of the town's numerous spellbinding points of interest. One of its most visited attractions is Kinuseo Falls, a 60-meter cascading water beauty along the Murray River in Monkman Provincial Park. Additionally, there are other waterfalls around the town, including Barbour Falls, Nesbitt’s Knee Falls, Quality Falls, and Bergeron Falls.

The town is also home to the Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark, a UNESCO-designated park with 34 sites, including mountain peaks, caves, glaciers, lakes, alpine meadows, and canyons. Explore one of the park’s finest trails, the Murray Canyon Overlook, for the most scintillating views. Get away from the outdoors and soak up history at the Tumbler Ridge Museum, featuring dinosaur and local area exhibits. Satiate hunger pangs later at Kinuseo Café and Dining Room or Twisted Seasons Bistro.

Weekend RetreatsFrom historic villages to rugged Pacific Coast beach towns to mountain villages, there is something for every traveler.

British Columbia is blessed with a treasure trove of gem towns that can rival the big cities in terms of attractions. All it takes is a look beyond the cities, and these offbeat towns will reveal themselves, offering everything from exotic food to bustling markets and unspoiled natural gems. Even better, tourists avoiding the crowd will find solace in these towns all year round. Whether you are seeking thrilling adventures or a laid-back experience by the shore of a picturesque lake, these offbeat towns have much to make you happy and satisfied.

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