BC Trip planning thoughts

Maybe a little late on this, but I would suggest a slight change on your route at Creston if you have the time. Instead of going over Kootenay Pass, head north along Kootenay Lake to the free ferry across the lake. Try to camp at Kokanee Park on the way to Nelson. Reservations recommended. Make a side trip to Ainsworth Hotspring which is probably the neatest hotspring in the area. Its feature is a U-shaped tunnel into the mountain that is the source of the hot water. You can make your way right around the tunnel. Nelson is also an interesting stop. Lots of historic buildings, and interesting people watching. You can rejoin your route at Castlegar by going west from Nelson along the Kootenay River.

Excellent ideas, thanks. I grew up out there and totally forgot about most of those bits. Love the railway museums. Wold definitely like to hear more. We are very self contained and will use campsites if we can but not too worried about a few days without the grid amenities.

Fort Steele

Kimberley has a neat German town feel to it.

Rail museum in Cranbrook. Was moved brick by brick from Winnipeg.

There used to be a gold mine tour at Rossland, but I think the mine is closed now. Did the tour of the smelter at Trail for interest sake.

Castelgar has a nice Dukaboor (sp) museum. Forget the one at Grand Forks, not worth it.

Wineries from Oliver to Vernon. Lots of wineries if you like them (I love them). Spent a week both of the last 2 years camping in Oliver and visiting wineries.

Yeah, Kelowna can be a pain to get through. Are you camping in the regions at all? Some decent campsites but they fill up real quick.

Can go to New Denver and see how badly we (Canadians) treated the Japanese during WWII.

Visit the dam at Revelstoke. Also a neat train museum there. And they now have a "roller coaster" that goes down the Revelstoke mountain ski run.

Can't think of anything cool between Revelstoke and Banff.

I've done 3 summers in the Kootneys and can give some more idea if you are interested.

If your still going near Grand Forks stop off at Christina Lake, absolutely beautiful lake, warmest tree line lake. Crystal Clear waters very nice. Temps can reach to the 40's mid summer.

from lake louise we will decide to head north through the mountains up to Yellow head No.16 and home or hit calgary and head back on hwy 1.

So now, some cool attractions for my 9 year old...

here is the final route

Oh, so the map is showing part of your return trip! :S Sorry, it took me a couple of beers for it to make sense!:B You're going to love the trip; if you have any other questions post them up!

I would be driving from Rock Creek, osoyoos, penticton, kelowna, vernon..

MudChucker wrote:
alternate route - Revelstoke is a destination for us as we are staying at Crazy Creek and have a helicopter tour booked.

This route seems cool, the girls get some consumer therapy time via penticton and kelowna etc and I get some back road no nothing time :)

I think Crazy Creek is right beside the highway so it will be noisy but the helicopter tour may make it worth it.

Your modified route now includes the cable ferry but you will not be going through either Kelowna or Penticton unless you intend to head South from Vernon. They are both easily accessible within a day with just your truck, though. It is a beautiful drive to both so it is worthwhile to go.

In Vernon, Swan Lake RV Resort is a really nice clean place with a nice pool. They are also almost right across the road from the water slides and a great fruit stand.

Perfect! :C

... Eric