Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
M Fort Steele Heritage Town: The Gold-Rush era comes to life through costumed
interpreters and musical theater. You can even try your hand at panning for gold
( click here ) .
PLANNING YOUR TIME
The most important thing to remember when planning a driving tour through the Kootenays
is that the region is very mountainous. Roads are generally narrow and winding, with moun-
tain passes and ferry crossings slowing down travel time considerably. The main east-west
thoroughfare is Highway 3, which runs through the southern extent of the region, traversing
no less than five mountain passes between Osoyoos in the west and Cranbrook in the east.
Even without detours north, allow a couple of days to travel this route from one end to the
other. Besides official attractions like the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area, you
might be tempted to linger at the many roadside parks and mountain lookouts. Two main
roads lead north from Highway 3, both eventually making their way north to the Trans-
Canada Highway (central British Columbia). Highway 6 is the westernmost of the two,
passing the historic town of Nelson, mountainous Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, and
the ghost town of Sandon. In the East Kootenays, Highway 3 continues its eastward course
to southern Alberta, while Highway 93/95 jogs north through the Columbia Valley, where
historic parks such as Fort Steele Heritage Town and natural highlights like Fairmont Hot
Springs are the main attractions.
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