Best Small Towns For An Interior British Columbia Road Trip
The interior of British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province, is a special place filled with swimmable lakes, hikable mountains, renowned wineries/breweries, and endless friendly towns. This exploratory itinerary begins in the far Southeast of BC, which means Calgary, Alberta, could be used as the leaping-off point. From there, head out to Banff National Park and then jump on Highway 93 South, the turnoff for which (Castle Mountain Junction) is about halfway to Lake Louise. All of these are spectacular prelude destinations to get one geared-up and nature-soaked before heading into the interior. Plus, the kickoff stretch through Kootenay National Park is one of the most beautiful drives in the country.
Invermere
After a mesmerizing initial drive, make a pit stop at the Radium Hot Springs, just before the junction of Hwy 93/95. Enjoy the first of many optional hot springs stopovers before continuing South on 95. The District of Invermere, or "Invermere on the Lake," awaits you next. This fitness and tourism-centric mountain town has a prized location on Windermere Lake, between the Purcells Mountains and the Rocky Mountains. Swimming awaits during the summer, and skating/cross-country skiing is a favorite winter pastime. The unique shops along 7th Avenue, combined with the regular pop-up markets, sprinkle in some welcomed social energy.
Fairmont
Jump back on Hwy 95 South for a moment and roll into Fairmont. Kids will enjoy the Fairmont Adventure Park, and people of all ages will appreciate the next round of hot springs. Like Radium, the Fairmont Hot Springs is a developed pool system with change rooms and day pass requirements. If natural hot springs are what you crave, then continue in the same direction until you reach the Whiteswan Lake Forest Service Road, which will slowly but surely take higher-clearance vehicles to the Lussier Hot Springs. Going at night, especially in the winter, for a more isolated experience under the stars is worth it. If brave enough, jump in the snow or river for a little cold-shock therapy.
Fernie
Finish out the drive South on Hwy 95 and then backtrack slightly East along Highway 3 to Fernie. This historic Rocky Mountain town is not far from the Alberta provincial border. Like many towns on this list, the time of year in which you visit depends solely on the kind of experience you are hoping to get. In the winter, the glorious slopes call out to visitors from all directions. These same mountains also make a great summertime playground for mountain bikers and hikers. In either case, after an exhilarating day of outdoor recreation, Fernie offers plenty of craft food/drink options to cap things off.
Creston
Pull a U-turn and head back West along Highway 3 to Creston. This is a pleasant place to grab some fresh roadside fruits, plunk down in a coffee shop, and even catch a movie in the cute matinee theater. Everyone is friendly and will want to hear more about your fun road trip. Creston also marks the Hwy 3/3A split, which allows for a direct route to Nelson, or a more scenic loop, which of course, you will do because what is the rush?
Crawford Bay/Balfour
Assuming you have taken the scenic loop, you will next arrive at Crawford Bay - a tiny town between Kootenay Lake and Crawford Bay (the body of water). It acts as the Eastern terminal for the Kootenay Lake Ferry, which itself is a great way to punctuate an already stunning route. The calm waters, quiet surroundings, and artisan shops/restaurants make Crawford Bay a truly magical place. After disembarking the free ferry, make sure to spend some time in the equally splendid town of Balfour before heading on to your next destination.
Nelson
Whether you arrive directly from Creston or as part of the scenic loop detour, Nelson is a must-see. This small city is the core of the West Kootenays, serving as the commercial, population, and cultural center of interior BC. The energy of historic Baker Street and the artistic vibes and gorgeous scenery make Nelson the perfect blend of bigger city appeal and small-town goodness. Enjoy a day at the park or cruising little shops, and then try to decide which of the 50 restaurants/cafes to recharge at.
Kaslo
If you drove to Nelson from the ferry terminal, backtrack to Balfour and continue to Kaslo, possibly stopping at the Ainsworth Hot Springs en route. Kaslo is a classic, one-horse town that is beautifully located on the Western shore of Kootenay Lake. The village primarily consists of a few blocks centered around the action of Front Street. The mom n' pop establishments along this stretch offer a glimpse into the silver-mining boom of the late 19th century. The Kaslo River Trail and many other off-shoot networks weave their way through the lush and soothing forest on the outskirts of town. This makes for an excellent leg-stretching break.
Nakusp
Next, take the tight and winding round out of town and work your way to Nakusp, yet another picturesque mountain/lake town. Cool off in the waters of Upper Arrow Lake, stroll around the pathways and quiet streets, and maybe even plunk down for the night in one of the traditional inns or public campgrounds. Not far out of town, while heading north to your next destination, there is another FSR side trip adventure that will bring you to the Halfway Hot Springs, a perfect blend of natural pools with some light-touch infrastructure. At the end of the line on Highway 23, another free ferry crossing will help break up the drive and get you within shouting distance of your next stop.
Revelstoke
Highway 23 will eventually meet up with the Trans Canada Highway, where you will enter Revelstoke, a small city that still feels like a quintessential mountain town. This community is situated on the banks of the Columbia River, between the Monashee and Selkirk Mountain Ranges. Similar to Fernie, the fresh powder slopes make Revelstoke a popular winter destination. However, note that Mount Revelstoke National Park also hosts the only inland, temperate rainforest in the world. If you arrive in the fair-weather season, be sure to jump on the Giant Cedar Boardwalk Trail for a short but enthralling hike.
Peachland
From Revelstoke, drive West until reaching the Southbound exit for Highway 97. Continue down through the central city of Kelowna, which is itself a great stopover, and enjoy the scenic Western shore of Okanagan Lake (the reported home of Ogopogo!). The laid-back community of Peachland will be the first town to greet you on this leg of the journey. Like much of the Okanagan Valley in South-central BC, Peachland is known for an extended fair-weather season, a bounty of orchards, and award-winning wineries. Plus, roughly 4.5 miles of beaches parallel Beach Avenue, a pleasant stretch of open-concept cafes and restaurant patios. Peachland is a place for quiet, sun-soaked leisure - never a bad thing on a paradisiacal road trip.
Summerland
Just a bit further down the road is the District of Summerland, another impossibly pleasant settlement. As the name would suggest, this place is known for its long summers and frequent sunny skies. Like Peachland, you will be able to get your fill of fresh fruits and world-class wines (if you are done driving for the day) as you relax by the water. It will be hard to step out of the sun and back into your car, but the good news is the next exciting spot is just another stone's throw south.
Penticton
In case you have not gotten your fill of sunny lakeside walks, Penticton will be there to serve you at the bottom of Okanagan Lake (and just North of Skaha Lake). Penticton is the host of the annual Ironman Canada event. Not only is the geography perfect for a major triathlon, but the active residents perfectly reflect the spirit of the race. If you feel like getting some exercise, you will certainly be in good company. But if you would just prefer to continue the indulgent leisure approach, then Penticton will also provide you with plenty of restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops to satisfy that itch.
Osoyoos
To cap off your interior BC road trip, roll on down to Osoyoos, a US border town with a continued variety of offerings. Its Southern latitude and unique climate bubble make Osoyoos the warmest place, on average, in the country. The prolonged fair-weather ensures ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as camping, golfing, and anything on the water. You will also find some of BC's best vineyards here in Osoyoos. Since you are at the end of the line, why not treat yourself to a tour of the District Wine Village (that is right, an entire village) and maybe even some delicious ice cream as you reflect on your incredible journey?
If you are dropping off a rental car, or want to continue West to the Pacific Coast, then Vancouver awaits at the end of Highway 3. If you need to work your way back to Calgary, simply head East and then trend North, either back up through the Fairmont/Invermere/Banff route or by tacking on a Southern Alberta adventure. There are always more cool spots to check out, whether as pre-planned destinations or spontaneous detours. Drive on, intrepid travelers!
