Sun-Soaked Fun: Eleven Must-do Summer Experiences in the Creston Valley

Getting fresh local fruits and veggies is a classic Creston experience

By Brian Lawrence

There’s nothing quite like summer in Creston, as sun-kissed orchards, buzzing restaurant patios and smiling faces bring that special spark to an already vibrant community. Which means it’s time to check some items off your Creston Valley bucket list!

The valley offers something for everyone, whether a foodie, an art lover or a thrill seeker. From fresh fruit and baked goods to local history and stunning mountain peaks, here are the top 11 experiences to add to your itinerary for a trip to the Creston area this summer!

Food & Farm

Picking some fruit is a definite "bucket list" activity

1. U-pick Cherries (and more!). Creston is famous for its cherries, which usually ripen in mid-July, their branches weighed down by the delicious fruit. Several orchards offer U-pick opportunities, allowing you to enjoy the full experience — including Flamenco Farms, which also offers U-pick raspberries and other fresh goodies for sale at their farm store. For berries of all kinds, including raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, don't miss Lloyd’s Backyard. A unique option, but for only a very brief time in early July, is Duck Lake Saskatoon Berry Farm’s U-pick saskatoons! If you're looking for a unique experience, consider signing up for the Creston Valley Food Action Coalition's Harvest Share program, where you can help local residents with fruit trees pick their excess crop in exchange for a portion going to you and another portion to community groups like the local food bank.

2. Fruit Stand & Farm Crawl. Visitors from the Kootenays and beyond often flock to the Creston area for the bounty at local fruit stands and farm stores. Primarily located in the Erickson area along Highway 3, you'll find spots like Wloka Farms Fruit Stand, Creston Fruit Market, Faraman Farm, Marar Orchards, J&B Smagh Fruit Stand and Flamenco Farms. A visit to Kootenay Meadows Farm in Lister is also a must for a tour of their dairy farm and to sample some delicious cheese, milk, or ice cream. Download the Food & Farm Map for more ideas and places to check out!

The Skimmerhorn Winery offers stellar views.

3. Savoury Sips Galore. Creston is home to a growing number of wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Don’t miss out on tastings at Baillie-Grohman, Skimmerhorn and Red Bird in Erickson and Wynnwood Cellars in Wynndel — each offering great wines and spectacular views! Or visit downtown Creston’s Wild North Brewing Company, which is a fantastic spot for craft beers, while nearby Sternwheeler Craft Distillery, serves up gin, vodka, and other spirits infused with local fruits, including saskatoons from their berry farm. Finally, Kokanee beer lovers should take a guided tour of the Columbia Brewery and discover where the famous Glacier Fresh Beer comes from!

4. Farmers’ Market. The Creston Valley Farmers’ Market is by far the best place to experience the valley’s bounty. Located behind the Creston Visitor Centre at ʔak̓uǂni (Market) Park (ah-kooth-nee, from the Ktunaxa word for “journey” or “the act of paddling”), the market runs Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and offers fresh produce, locally raised meats, eggs, honey, and artisan goods like pottery, soaps, jewelry, and more.

Arts, Culture, Entertainment & Shopping

The Yaqan Nukiy Heritage Centre is an excellent place to learn about the local Ktunaxa culture.

5. Heritage Tours & First Nations History. The Creston Museum is the place to explore the history of the valley, with regular tours of its extensive collection. In summer, the museum also offers "History About Town" tours, such as the popular Great Creston Bank Robbery tour and visits to the Pioneer and Forest Lawn Cemeteries. For a deeper dive into the area’s Indigenous culture, visit the Yaqan Nukiy Heritage Centre at Legend Logos . Learn about the local Ktunaxa people, including the history of their traditional birch bark canoes and the legend of Naⱡmuqȼin, the giant sturgeon of Kootenay Lake.

Creston has many unique shops to explore, like the trendy downtown Modern Alchemy.

6. Local Artisan Studios and Boutique Shops. Creston is home to a variety of unique artisan studios and boutique shops. In downtown Creston, you’ll find Modern Alchemy/Public Vinyl, offering a stylish mix of decor, clothing, and records, and The Grater Good, a shop full of one-of-a-kind kitchenware and housewares. For homemade soaps, bath balms, and more, make sure to stop by V.R. Sudz n' Stuff or Tilia Botanicals, or check out Yahk Soap & Candle Company. Pottery lovers will enjoy a visit to the well-loved Pridham Pottery Studio, where you’ll find a beautiful collection of handmade pieces. Visit the Shops & Artisans section of our website for even more one of a kind shops and studios to explore while in the area!

7. Evening Entertainment. Looking for evening fun? Wild North Brewing, Jimmy’s Pub & Grill, the Kokanee Pub, Casey’s Community House and Baillie Grohman Estate Winery all host live music, karaoke, and other entertainment throughout the summer. Movie lovers will enjoy the Tivoli Theatre, a beautiful Art Deco-style cinema that hosts a mix of Hollywood blockbusters and local film festivals. To see what's happening around the community check out our online Events Calendar!

Outdoor Thrills

The view of the valley floor from the Thompson Rim Trail is stunning.

8. Climb a Mountain. Creston is also surrounded by stunning hiking trails with breathtaking views. The Billy Goat Bluffs, Gliders’ Point or Balancing Rock trails offer fantastic views of the valley, especially at sunrise when its cool! For more ambitious hikers, the Thompson Rim Trail takes you along the Skimmerhorn Bluffs for jaw-dropping vistas of the valley below. The seriously adventurous and experienced may event want to challenge themselves on some more rugged back-country trails like Haystack Mountain. To get a more complete list of trails to explore visit the Hiking section of the website or download or pickup a copy of our local hiking map.

Exploring the Creston Valley Wildlife Area is a Must-Do.

9. Visit the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area. The Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area is a 7,000-hectare (17,000-acre) wetland, home to over 300 bird species, 60 mammals, and a variety of other wildlife. To experience it up close, book a guided canoe tour of the Corn Creek Marsh at the Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Centre, or explore the miles of trails and dyke on foot or by bike. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the many birds, frogs, turtles and other wildlife you are bound to see!

10. Play a Round of Golf. There is nothing like a bit of golf in the mountains in summer! For golf enthusiasts, the Creston Valley Golf Club in Lister offers a challenging but enjoyable 18-hole course with stunning views of the valley. For a more scenic lakeside golfing experience on Kootenay Lake, head up to the renowned 18-hole par-71 Kokanee Springs Golf Course Resort in Crawford Bay or instead enjoy a leisurely nine rounds at nearby Riondel Community Golf Course. For more details, check out our blog article on golfing in the area.

Paddle-Boarding is a great way to enjoy Kootenay Lake.

11. Get Out On the Water. Creston’s lakes and rivers are perfect for summer water activities. Head to Kuskanook Harbour & Boat Launch at the south end of Kootenay Lake to launch kayaks, canoes, paddle-boards or a boat to explore the south end of the lake. For a relaxing beach day, the popular Twin Bays Beach and quieter Mackie Beach are just a short drive north of Creston, while Wilderness Park on Goat River offers quick access to the river from Creston. For families with children, the Centennial Park Splash Park is a great spot for some fun in the sun, while the Creston Rec Complex offers a cool place to swim indoors with it's kid's pool, hot tub and a full sized pool as well.

Finally, if fishing is your more your thing, try casting a line in the Moyie, Kootenay, or Goat Rivers, or even Kootenay Lake itself. Be sure to read our fishing blog for more details on each fishing spot, what fish you'll find, and where to get supplies.

Eat, Sleep, Play, Repeat

The patio at Good Company Coffee is a popular summer retreat.

With an abundance of sights and activities, you'll want to give yourself lots of time to stay and play, and the area has all the services you'll need to enjoy it. For accommodations choose from a great selection of cozy hotels, motels, delightful B&Bs, or campgrounds and RV parks for a restful night's sleep. For dining options Creston provides a selection of charming cafes, coffee shops, and bakeries for breakfast and lunch. For dinner, you can savour options ranging from homemade burgers to genuine Thai, spicy Korean dishes and much more.

Now that you've got a good list of activities on your to-do list, I hope we'll see you in Creston soon!

Until next time, happy bucket listing!

Freelance writer Brian Lawrence is a former editor and publisher of the Creston Valley Advance. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking and trail running, and acting in and directing productions with Creston's Footlighters Theatre Society.