Slocan Valley, British Columbia

In BC’s Slocan Valley, you’ll find the tranquil villages of Slocan, New Denver, and Silverton along with 18 small communities that find their home on the shores of Slocan Lake. To the south lie Crescent Valley, Slocan Park, and Winlaw where travelers will find the most services. It’s a wonderful and quiet place for vacations in British Columbia.

British Columbia. Always a beautiful place to vacation.

The valley was a magnet for mining prospectors and their families in the 19th century. Sandton, built in the valley of Carpenter Creek, was the largest community in the Pacific Northwest at the time. Today the largest centre is New Denver, with its impressive population of 600.

The northern boundary of the valley is marked by Summit Lake. With the Selkirk Mountains rising over the lake at 500 m (1,500 ft), the effect is breathtaking. If you head south on Highway 6, you will arrive at Hills, a former lumber town. Today it is a lovely rural area that is famous for its Garlic Festival. Take a moment to visit Rosebery, a lakeside community that is home to Rosebery Provincial Park. Another stop is at Lemon Creek, the gateway to Kokanee Glacial Provincial Park where you can find excellent mountain biking trails.

Golfers can enjoy Appledale where there are two golf courses. Only 20 km (12 m) north of the junction of Hwy 3A and 19 km south of Slocan you fill find the funky village of Winlaw. Here you will find a metaphysical bookstore, a yoga studio, magical galleries, a feed and tack store, a community hall, a bakery, an art farm, and other home-based businesses that make life so interesting.

Take the Passmore Bridge to cross the Slocan River at the south entrance. You will come to Drinnon Pass, Vallican, and Little Slocan Lakes, which all make for wonderful exploration. Playmor Junction lies at the junction of Hwy 6 and 3A and Crescent Valley lies to the north, both of which are worth a visit on your Canadian Rockies vacation.