One of Creston's favourite cafes, the newly renovated downtown location is a flurry of daytime traffic and a great place to refuel with a specialty coffee, snacks, or a yummy lunch before setting off on further adventures. In the summer Buffalo Trails also operates a seasonal ice cream stand on their comfortable patio. 1417 Canyon Street, Creston (250) 428-5730 www.buffalotrailscoffee.ca

The Char Creek Trail riding area is a deactivated logging road that now serves as a fun zone for sledders of all ages. Frequently groomed by the Kokanee Country Snowmobile Club, this beautiful trail system meanders through an old growth forest along a deactivated logging road. To get here, drive 50 kilometres on Highway 3 up the Kootenay Pass to a staging area on the south (left) side of the highway. The trail leads to the Char Cabin 5km from the staging area, which is available to the public free of charge. The cabin has a wood stove, ample seating, and there are plenty of areas for toboganning and snowmobiling once you've warmed up. Past the cabin the trail continues for approximately 4 kms ending at the Char Creek connector trail. The connector trail is ungroomed and can be challenging for new riders during some points of the season. A moderate skill level is suggested. *** Note that permits through the Kokanee Country Snowmobile Club are required to ride in this area. Please contact the club to purchase your permit before you arrive.

Scottie’s RV Park & Campground is a family-owned campsite in Erickson that is 50+ years in the running! It started as a cherry and apple orchard where fruit pickers would camp amongst the trees and evolved into a family-friendly campground. Featuring grassy sites with lots of shade and trees the Scotties RV Park & Campground is peaceful and clean. Scottie's is also only minutes away from downtown and within walking distance to all amenities including grocery stores, banks, pharmacy, parks, swimming pool and more. Full hookup 30/15 amp sites and tent sites available. 1409 Erickson Road, Creston BC 250-428-4256 www.scottiesrv.com

Located a beautiful 40 Kilometre drive north of Creston on Kootenay Lake, this stunning beach at Lockhart Beach Provincial Park is a fine sand, pebble beach excellent for families with easy access from the highway and expansive views across the lake to the Selkirk Mountains. Amenities include bathroom facilities, garbage cans and picnic tables. The park also include an 18 site Campground across the highway, plus trails in the adjoining Lockhart Creek Provincial Park. *** Please be advised that the parking is on the east side of Highway 3A, thus requiring people to cross the highway to get to the beach on it's west side. Please use caution when crossing this busy road. BC Parks Website - Lockhart Beach

Tilia Botanicals is a cute artisan apothecary shop that offers products made using the finest organic or ethically wild harvested herbs and ingredients and in small batches to ensure freshness. From a full service apothecary to luxurious bath and facial products, culinary mixes and spice blends to household cleaning products and pet care, they have something for everyone. Check out their blending bar - unscented products you can customize using their organic essential oils. 115 20 Avenue South, Creston BC 250-428-8866 www.tiliabotanicals.com

Using organic and local products to create the most exquisite meals, Retro Café is known for its cuisine, with a large palette of Crêpes, Quiches, and comforting homemade soup. They serve a variety of poutine, Panini grilled sandwiches, Gyros Donair, and soft shell tacos as well as a full breakfast menu and so much more. Stop by and check it out. 1431 Northwest Boulevard, Creston 250-428-2726 www.retrocafe.ca

Situated in a peaceful orchard setting with majestic mountain views, Bavarian Orchard Motel offers clean and comfortable rooms. The motel is in a serene location surrounded by orchards where guests can unwind in the gazebo or grape arbor and listen to the sounds of nature. Located in Erickson, the motel is close to many orchards, fruit stands and wineries worth visiting. The suites consist of one or two-bedroom units that feature full bathrooms, air-conditioning, free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, coffee maker, fridge, and microwave.. All rooms are non-smoking and pets are not allowed. complimentary continental breakfasts also available. Bavarian Motel 3205 Hwy 3, Creston, BC 1-800-663-9544 | (250) 428-9935

The Creston Hotel is located on Highway 3 in the heart of downtown Creston. The hotel features newly renovated rooms as well as a number of full kitchen suites that accommodate up to 6 guests. The popular Jimmy’s Pub & Grill is also on-site, offering a full dining menu for lunch and dinner with an outside patio shaded by cherry trees to enjoy the beautiful days. The hotel is also located close to a number of other downtown restaurants and shops as well as the Creston & District Community Complex. Rooms feature air-conditioning, flat screens, cable TV, mini-fridges, free WiFi, and local calls. Suites feature air-conditioning, separate bedrooms, full kitchens, cable TV, free WiFi, and local calls. Creston Hotel & Suites 1418 Canyon Street, Creston (250) 428-2225

The Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre is located conveniently at the junction of Highways 3 and 3A in Creston. The smoke-free hotel offers 65 beautifully appointed guest rooms, conference facilities for up to 100 guests, a gym, Tesla supercharging station as well as a Ricky's All Day Grill restaurant on site. Arrow Mountain RV Park also sits beside the hotel. Ramada Hotel 1-1809 Hwy. 3A, Creston, BC 250-254-1111

The Moyie River is a 92-mile long tributary of the Kootenay River that flows through British Columbia & Idaho, where it connects with the Kootenay. Running through Yahk, the Moyie River is a popular spot in the summer to camp along as well as for fishing brook trout. The river is accessible to the public via a day use picnic area at the Yahk Provincial Park.

A classic Outdoor Sporting Goods store located in downtown Creston, Mawson Sports first opened in 1915, making it is most likely the oldest business in the Creston Valley. Stop by for all your fishing, hunting, and camping gear needs. 1026 Canyon St, Creston (250) 428-4130 Mawson Sports Facebook

Twin Bays Beach on Kootenay Lake photo credit: crestonvalleytrails.ca Do you love to dip in a clear cold river with a stunning mountain backdrop? Or is a meandering pebbled beach next to a deep blue lake more your style? The Creston Valley Area offers an overabundance of choices of swimming spots. We've distilled it down to our favourite swimming holes! Budget: Free Difficulty: Impress your friends by conquering cold water Time: All day if you are up for it (bring sunscreen) Highlights: Spectacular views, beaches are not crowded, pristine water Where: Your best option for swimming close to town is the Goat River. There is also the Kootenay River but its muddy banks lends itself more to bird watching and boating. It's a great option for non-swimming water activity with the family as the Old Ferry Landing offers picnic tables and an easy boat launch into calm serene water. Just a 20 minute drive from Creston you get your first access to Kootenay Lake at the Kuskanook harbour. There are several different options to explore the shoreline all along the lake. If you are looking to overnight on the lake there are several paid camping spots with beach access. Riverside Wilderness Park - Goat River This swimming spot is a long time destination for every local and visitor in the valley. It's the fastest and easiest place to get to. Every year the river creates new swimming holes and beaches along the riverbank, both sandy and pebbled, deep or shallow. The river itself is rocky bottomed, so water shoes are recommended. You can hang with the rest of the river-goers at the bridge, but if you’re looking for privacy, a short walk along the shoreline either up or downstream will provide privacy and your own little temporary piece of heaven. Water temperatures are warm, usually warming before the lake, making this a great early summer swimming spot after spring run-off has completed. The area is great spot to bring a picnic or your favourite floating toys. Located on Highway 21 just a little south of town, the Riverside Park is accessed just after the 1st bridge along highway 21 minutes from Creston. It's accessible both by car or by bicycle – though there is always a hill to ride up to get back to town! Thanks to the efforts made by Trails For Creston Valley Society, the park area is expanding making it even more accessible. You can find the latest news on the project at this link. Twin Bays Beach Twin Bays Beach is by far one of the most beautiful beaches on the East Shore with soft sand, epic scenery, and jumping rocks for the kids to enjoy. There is a public day use area set up with outhouses and garbage receptacles. The waters are usually a tad warmer in this sheltered little cove, yet it seems to maintain water quality even during the hottest of months. No dogs are allowed on this beach, so if your furry friend needs a swim, you’ll have to find another spot to frolic in. Lockhart Beach Provincial Park This a part of our world-class BC Parks system. As such, there are rules! But also a ton of information on how to get there on their website. Try not to get lost when tumbling down the BC Parks rabbit hole! Located about 40 min up highway 3-A, is another favourite in the area. The Lockhart Beach Provincial Park beach is unique for the rocky shoreline is covered primarily in soft rounded pebbles. The parking lot is on the east side of highway 3-A, while the day use area on the west with a tiny path to the beach front. In early July the southern tip of the lake can get a little overboard with mosquitoes. Lockhart beach seems to be far enough up the lake to avoid some of the mosquitoes when times are thick. Crawford Bay Regional Park Beach The artisan town of Crawford Bay has a lovely protected cove with a shallow sandy beach that is often quite warm and very safe for children. The beach is in the Crawford Bay Regional Park and is accessed by a small road at the airstrip landing near to Kokanee Chalets. Crawford Bay and Gray Creek are your best options on the lake for stocking up on food in one of the small grocery stores. There are also many fine restaurants to choose from there and in Kootenay Bay as well, everything from seasonal tapas to dim-sum or wood-fired pizza. Moyie River Access to the river can be gained from the day use area in Yahk Provincial Park located in the heart of Yahk, B.C. You can also stay overnight in one of the 25 campsites at the lovely forested campground on the scenic Moyie River. You’ll find many swimming holes to dip in and cool off. Summer water levels make for an enjoyable float that is fun for the whole family. Into the month of August, river floating may be hampered due to low water levels and a rocky bottom, but the river still provides ample fun and opportunities to cool off in the deeper pools. But It's Ugly Outside! Indoor Swimming Options The Creston and District Community Complex has a lovely indoor swimming pool that includes a lazy river, a weekly Ducky Swim where they release 3000 plastic ducks and a hot tub with one of the best views of the mountains. They offer family rates as well as lots of great summer activities and classes. Why do I keep coming back? The east shore of Kootenay Lake is carved sandstone that is 1.5 billion years old while on the west side, the Selkirk Range is decidedly younger at only 300-700 million years old and made up of sandstone, limestone and shale. The lake is 150 metres deep and over a 100 kilometres long. History lesson aside, this lake is beautiful from every angle. Not long ago, friends from Vancouver came to visit. As we sat on the beach one of them looked out onto the lake and said, "Man, I miss the Koots." There's a sense of tranquillity a person gets when they take the time to chill out next to these glacier-fed waters.