About Boundary Country - Boundary Country - BC Canada

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About Boundary Country

explore Boundary Country

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Top Boundary Experiences

  1. Play in the Kettle River, pan for gold, swim, relax, and bask in the sun.
  2. Explore our lakes. Paddle the north shore of Christina Lake and discover ancient pictographs left by First Nations people. Rent a boat and enjoy water sports. Go for a dip or paddle in peace and quiet at Jewel Lake.
  3. Ride single track, freestyle, or cross-country (even in the snow!) on the trails etched with history, that link communities from Christina Lake to Beaverdell.
  4. Hike or bike the KVR, the Trans Canada Trail, and other heritage rail-trails starting at Mile 0 in Midway.
  5. Take in one of our events, like our rockin’ music festivals, bountiful fall fairs, and the Grand Forks International Baseball Tournament.
  6. Discover our provincial parks and dozens of regional and community parks with places for camping.
  7. Enjoy the fruits of our labour at Farmers’ Markets, roadside farm stands, flour mills, and cheesemakers. Prepare to discover some of the best borscht in BC!
  8. Explore our mountains. Incredible skiing & snowboarding in the winter, and great trails for hiking and biking in the warmer months are all available at Big White, Phoenix Mountain, and Baldy Mountain.
  9. Visit our museums and galleries and learn about our railroad, Doukhobor, pioneer, and gold mining history.
  10. Take a swing, top-notch golfing at courses between Rock Creek and Midway, and at Christina Lake.

Good to know before you go

  • Fresh-water fishing regulations are throughout BC and you do require a fishing license. Visit Boating & Fishing for more information on fishing in Boundary Country
  • Expect a variety of surfaces along the Dewdney, Kettle Valley Rail, and Trans Canada Trails. Visit Trails or call the local Visitor Information Centres for information on hiking and mountain biking in Boundary Country.
  • Provincial Parks where drive-in camping is generally open for camping from early May to late September. Check BC Parks listings for detailed opening and closing times, as well as bookings.
  • Though not too common, prepare yourself for wildlife encounters. You can purchase bear bells and other equipment at local shops. Be bear smart.
  • Mosquitoes are a fact of life in the Interior of BC, be prepared. Bring repellent and lightweight, long-sleeved clothing and netting for protection.
  • Pack it in, Pack it out 
  • Be Prepared – Have a Plan
  • Prevent Wildfires

Midway between Vancouver, BC and Calgary, AB, Boundary Country begins just south of Kelowna on BC Highway 33 and includes Beaverdell, Carmi, Westbridge, and the Christian Valley communities. At the junction of BC Highway 33 and the Crow’s Nest Highway, you’ll find the former gold rush town of Rock Creek – go west from here to Bridesville, or journey east to Midway, Greenwood, Grand Forks and the community of Christina Lake.

Beaverdell & Carmi

The hamlet of Beaverdell and its neighbour Carmi are 35 km (22 mi) south of Big White Ski Resort on BC Highway 33. 16 lakes surround Beaverdell and Carmi, making it popular for fishers and Kettle Valley Rail Trail riders. Beaverdell has an RV Park and cabin rentals and is a service point for anglers and riders. What remains of Carmi is nothing more than remnants of its mining heyday. It’s still an interesting stop nonetheless.

Westbridge & Christian Valley

Westbridge is a tiny unincorporated community of ranches and farms. It is 13 km (8 mi) north of Rock Creek, where the Christian Valley Road crosses the West Kettle River. It is home to the Old Cowboy Ranch and the Little Dipper Hideaway, two great camping spots. Westbridge is also home to the Kettle River Model Airshow, which takes place in July. You can hike the KVR section of the Trans Canada Trail with access points in Westbridge that take you north to Rhone or south toward Zamora. Accommodations in Westbridge include campgrounds or cabin rentals.

Bridesville

Wheatfields meet the backcountry in Bridesville (pop. estimate 30), 15 km (9 mi) west of Rock Creek on Highway 33. Hike Johnstone Creek Provincial Park for craggy views across gaping canyons. Drive-in camping is available at Johnstone Creek. You can also do some rustic camping at nearby recreation sites at Jolly Creek and Little Fish Lake.  If you prefer something more luxurious, try Arosa Guest Ranch Resort, where you may rent cabins or hook up your RV for the night. Bridesville is a rural community, so make sure you bring everything you’ll need with you, as you’ll be ‘off the grid’.

Rock Creek

In 1859, they discovered gold in the Kettle River. This triggered a stampede to the very place where the Rock Creek (pop. 86) meets the Kettle River in the southwest corner of Boundary Country. Whispers of those heady gold rush days are still evident on the now quiet streets of Rock Creek, where the Crowsnest Highway intersects with Highway 33. You’ll find a wealth of outdoor recreation here. Come swim, wade, or float the famous Kettle River. Get outdoors and explore one of the many trails in the area or set off on a bike excursion on the Rail Trail! Camping is the bread & butter here, with plenty of riverside Provincial Park campsites available. There are even rustic cabin rentals available if you don’t quite want to sleep under the stars. Rock Creek is home to the Rock Creek Fall Fair and the Sky High Blues Festival. They also host the Ponderosa Music & Arts Festival and the annual Boogie Bash EventTM.

Midway

The village of Midway (pop: 621) is tucked in the sun-soaked Kettle Valley. Midway sits at Mile 0 of the famed Kettle Valley Railway, part of the Trans Canada Trail. It’s the halfway point between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific ocean. Midway is also right at the international border crossing to the United States. It is a natural stopping point on any Boundary Country adventure. Hike or bike the trails in and around town and Midway Mountain. Explore the Kettle River Museum. The Midway MusicFest and the Groovefest are held here each summer and are guaranteed to have you bustin’ a move!

Accommodations in Midway include a heritage bunkhouse, roadside motel, or RV park. Medical facilities include a medical clinic and a dental clinic. The nearest veterinary services are in Greenwood, 13 km (8 mi) and Grand Forks, 55 km (34 mi) east.

Greenwood

Tucked into a narrow valley beneath Jubilee Mountain, between Midway and Grand Forks, Greenwood, (pop. 700), is Canada’s smallest city. Its residents proudly boast of having the best drinking water in the world. Greenwood is home to a striking collection of 60 heritage buildings dating back to the late 19th century. You can experience Greenwood’s heritage and culture at the Greenwood Museum, where the stories of internment and redemption are told. Explore nearby Phoenix Mountain on a self-guided interpretive drive, or hike or mountain bike its trails. Ride the Trans Canada Trail through Greenwood. Take your time and stop to picnic by the river or dine at Deadwood Junction or the Pacific Grill. You may also enjoy the Copper Eagle.

Accommodations in Greenwood include camping, modest motels and cabin rentals. There is a medical clinic in Greenwood. The closest dentist is in Midway, 13 km (8 mi) west.

Grand Forks

The Trans Canada Trail and the Kettle and Granby Rivers converge in Grand Forks (pop. 3,985). You are sure to enjoy this urban enclave nestled in a lush, broad valley flanked by the Monashee Mountains. Both urban and rural, Grand Forks is Boundary Country’s largest city. It is home to Jerseyland Organics, the Spencer Hill Orchard, and Rock Candy Mine’s geode-rich fields. Come and explore the Boundary Museum. Time your vacation, so you take in the Grand Forks Fall Fair and the Grand Forks Invitational Ball Tournament. The arts scene is vibrant here, anchoring the region’s artistic identity. Seek out the murals littered around the downtown core as you wander into quaint but delicious eateries. Gallery 2 and its rotating exhibits are a must-visit. While you’re here, enjoy the great outdoors on the Trans Canada Trail and the Kettle and Granby Rivers.

Grand Forks’ Accommodations feature locally owned and operated motels, B&Bs, RV Parks and campgrounds. You’ll find Boundary Hospital in Grand Forks, along with several dentists and a veterinarian.

Christina Lake

Christina Lake (pop. 1,413) is a summer home-away-from-home for generations of families. It is the warmest tree-lined lake in the whole of Canada. Travellers are naturally drawn here to play along 45 km (28 mi) of storybook shoreline. If you have the time, there’s an old-growth forest at the far end of the lake untouched by development waiting to be discovered. It’s in Christina Lake, where the Trans Canada Trail and the historic Dewdney Trails merge, enticing you outdoors. The folks of Christina Lake have an affinity for golf that they are eager to share. Get on the greens at the Christina Lake Golf Club, an 18-hole course. There’s also the Cascade Par 3 executive course, which has a glow-in-the-dark nighttime option.

Another great way to enjoy the outdoors at Christina Lake is to explore the Trans Canada Trail. While you’re there, take in the picturesque Cascade Gorge and Cascade Falls. Venture into Christina Lake Provincial Park or Gladstone (Texas Point) Provincial Park and search for ancient First Nations pictographs along the shore. Make time to visit the Christina Lake Living Arts Centre too. If water sports are what you’re interested in, visit Wild Ways Adventures or the Christina Lake Marina for a list of water-based activities.

Christina Lake accommodations are geared towards family vacations. Take your pick from private vacation homes and cottage rentals. Maybe you’d prefer a B&B, motel, RV Resort or Provincial Park camping. There is a medical clinic in Christina Lake, while dentists and veterinarians can be found in nearby Grand Forks, 33 km (21 mi) west.

Floating, swimming, Christina Lake, Boundary