The sun is out, our cooler is packed, and our friends are in tow. Time to hit the beach! 🏖️

Castlegar is surrounded by water, but not all of it classifies as “beach”. Whether you’re new to Castlegar, or just need a new spot to cool off, you’ll find the sandiest, biggest, and most fun beaches around town included on this list.

Syringa (Main Beach)

Distance from Castlegar: 19km (18 mins)

The biggest and most diverse outdoor oasis in Castlegar, Syringa Provincial Park is nestled near the southeast end of Lower Arrow Lake. Just a short drive from Castlegar, this park has something for everyone. Whether you’re hoping to catch a fish, explore the water by boat or paddle board, or simply kick back on the beach, Syringa has you covered. Hiking and biking trails wind through the park, inviting visitors looking for more of an adventure. Venture past the campground deeper into the park, and you’ll find endless hiking trails, waterfalls, and even natural waterslides.

Sandy Beach

Distance from Castlegar: 15km (14 mins)

Take a drive towards Syringa and you’ll come across a sudden cluster of cars parked on both sides of the road. This is where you’ll find Sandy Beach – a bright crescent of soft smooth sand just past Scottie’s Marina. How much beach is exposed fluctuates throughout the Summer, a result of water level adjustments from the nearby dams, but when the water is low, this is a slice of paradise, and the most quintessential “beach” of all the entries on this list. You can’t miss the bright beach umbrellas and dads toting giant inflatable toys along the side of the road. It’s well worth a trip! While you’re parking your car, you might catch a glimpse of Allendale Falls, which are most impressive in the Spring runoff. There’s plenty more waterfalls in the area if you brought your walking shoes!

Nancy Greene

Distance from Castlegar: 31km (23 mins)

Head 20 minutes up the Paulson, and you’ll come across one of Castlegar’s real gems: Nancy Greene Provincial Park. Named after the legendary local skier, this park is a real beauty in all four seasons. It’s an easily accessible place to swim, paddle, fish, hike, and picnic while surrounded by rich sub-alpine greenery. The park is a popular spot for campers and day-trippers, and lately has been a paddle boarding hot spot. The lake is stocked with fish as well, so bring your fishing rod!

For those seeking winter adventures, cross-country skiing is a delightful option, and it’s a popular spot for snowshoeing and ice fishing. There’s a beautiful trail that goes right around the lake, and the lake freezes over, so people have been known to snowshoe right on the lake when it gets cold enough.

Shoreacres

Distance from Castlegar: 20km (16 mins)

For those who like their beach experience to be a little more exciting, Shoreacres offers a perfect Summer day. The Slocan River flows through to the Kootenay River here, and is a refreshing spot to take a swim. For those who are up to the challenge, there’s a huge rope swing attached to the bridge above, and it’s an addicting challenge to swing out into the river, bob along for a while, and swim back to shore. You’ll definitely need to know how to swim for this one, but it’s a modest enough flow that older kids and teenagers tend to have a blast here.

The beach itself is soft and sandy, perfect for sandcastles, sun tanning, and general beach lounging too, so if you’re not into thrills, you’ll still be right at home!

Crescent Beach

Distance from Castlegar: 23km (20 mins)

Crescent Valley Beach Regional Park is a fun spot to hang out during the summer. A perfect sandy beach with enough river flow to keep the kids entertained, and a quiet pool at the bottom end of the beach that’s calm enough for smaller children to enjoy the water. This is also the Kootenays’ centre for kayaking, rafting, and river floats. 

Beyond the water’s edge, hiking and biking trails wind through the park, perfect for some exploration and exercise before cooling off at the beach. There’s lots of parking, clean washrooms, and a gas station just a few minutes walk up the road. Send your kids for an ice cream and a cold drink, or pop across the road to Tonik Distillery for some of their amazing pizza! There’s actually quite a bit to offer nearby: Frog Peak Cafe, Oh My Lard BBQ food truck, and Evergreen grocery store are right nearby. This is also the most common spot for those floating the Slocan River to disembark, so get those tubes ready!

Honorable Mention: Champion Lakes

Distance from Castlegar: 53km (40 mins)

While this is technically closer to Trail, Fruitvale, and Salmo than Castlegar, it’s nonetheless an absolutely pristine lake that should be on your radar. Popular with campers, paddlers, and day-trippers, Champion Lakes is a refreshing place to spend those hot summer days. It’s one of our absolute favourite places to swim, paddle, or camp in the Kootenays!