Cruise the Crowsnest and Experience Fall Bliss in Boundary Country
A trip to Boundary Country is the ultimate fall escape. Boundless nature changes right before the eyes as temperatures cool. Endless adventure just asking to be taken advantage of. Quirky communities bursting at the seams with arts & culture that is waiting to be uncovered. The weather is perfect for exploration with averages of 23 degrees Celsius (73 F) in September and a cooler 14 degrees Celsius (57 F) average in October. In one day, visitors can go from biking rail trails over man-made trestles to kayaking or boating on serene lakes and rivers to being guided through a seasonal art exhibition at one of several art galleries. In Boundary Country there is so much to uncover, so much to explore.
Fall Trails & Foliage
There are over 2,000 km (1,243 mi) of easily accessible, explorable trails in Boundary Country. Hiking, biking, and even meandering are all great means of adventure and each allows for you to connect with our natural wonder in its own unique way. Our trail networks stretch all the way starting from Beaverdell to Christina Lake.
As you head deeper into our region, the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and Columbia Western Rail Trail sections of the Trans Canada Trail are the two main attractions. Explore tunnels carved into the sides of mountains, immerse yourself in emerald oceans of forest that are starting to get speckled with yellows and oranges, and even stop for a minute to dip your feet into the Kettle River if it’s a warmer day! It’s never a bad idea to hop off the trails to grab a bite at one of the many great eateries littered throughout Boundary.
Check out our brand new trail map, you can pick it up at any of the visitor centres along your route, or view it online.
If you don’t have access to proper equipment, no sweat, our adventure operators in WildWays, Chain Reaction, and Seasons Outdoors have got you covered for bike and safety rentals. One of the coolest things about the rail trail experience is that it connects all of the communities in our region together. This means that multi-day cycling excursions are great for exploring our communities and getting to know Boundary Country inside and out. Our friends at KVR Cycle Tours provide these guided experiences which include rentals, accommodation, meals, and maps.
These trails offer unique accessibility in taking you through the bountiful wilderness of the region one hour and then right through town the next. You can be riding the Columbia & Western Rail Trail from the Paulson access point through a retired train tunnel just after breakfast and hop off your bike for a beer and lunch at Lisa’s Lakehouse! After your excursion consider bundling up for the eve at a campground, a homey B&B, a rustic cabin, or even a historic railway bunkhouse.
Eclectic Eats and Charming Culture
What makes Boundary Country, Boundary Country is the communities of people that live, nurture, and love the same space. Experiencing this collective community energy is integral to the Boundary Country experience. Get a feel for the region by experiencing its people’s artistic expression, tasting its flavours, and learning about the communities through their histories and sharing their community events.
Meet some kind characters and find the freshest and tastiest goods available in the region at the Farmers’ Markets in Grand Forks and Rock Creek. The Market in Grand Forks runs until the end of October on Tuesday and Friday, while the Rock Creek Market operates every Saturday until the end of September. Chill out and tap your foot along with some live music on the weekend in Grand Forks or Christina Lake. The Christina Lake Arts and Artisans Society hosts concerts every few weekends. In the downtown of Grand Forks, The Wingman food truck puts on live music every Friday featuring local talent! Events as a whole look differently this year so ensure you stay up to date with what’s happening via the Current Travel Information page and Boundary Events page.
After exploring the trails and hitting up the Farmers’ Market, explore the eclectic communities of Boundary. Each town in our region offers its own unique charm while sharing a warm, inviting personality that is ever present in the businesses and people that you will come across.
Learn about Doukhabour history in Grand Forks at the Boundary Museum and Interpretive Centre and then try some of the tastiest borscht in the country! Follow up the history lesson with a trip to Gallery 2 — Grand Forks Art Gallery to take in a carefully curated but amazing exhibit and pick up a souvenir to take Boundary home with you.
With the rail trails featuring so heavily in Boundary Country, it would only be right to stop off at Mile 0 (halfway point between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean) and the Kettle River Museum. Climb aboard a functional Canadian Pacific Railway car and then tour the town’s original Station House to get a true feel for what life was like along the railway!
Canada’s Smallest City, Greenwood, is filled to the brim with cultural significance related to British Columbia’s history. Once a boom town during the early 1900s, Greenwood’s deep prospecting roots can be uncovered at the Greenwood Museum which features lively exhibits and samples from the surrounding mines. The museum also plays host to the history of internment in the province, preserving the story of the more than 1100 Japanese Canadians that were relocated from Vancouver to Greenwood. Some descendants still call Greenwood home today. A short walk down to Nikkei Legacy Park is the perfect place to relax and reflect.
Escape to Boundary Country this fall to adventure, unwind, and relax. Slow the pace down a little bit, release the stress of everyday life, and appreciate the bounty of Boundary Country that is more than ready to be shared.