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

Castlegar is a hot spot for fishing but also has plenty of excellent options for swimming! Here’s a few beaches around Castlegar we love to check out when you need a swim.

Syringa Provincial Park (Main Beach)

Distance from Castlegar: 19km (18 mins)

The biggest and most diverse outdoor oasis in Castlegar, Syringa Provincial Park is near the southeast end of Lower Arrow Lake. Just a short drive from Castlegar, this park has something for everyone. You can go fishing, paddle boarding, (paddle board fishing anyone?), take out the boat, or just kick back on the beach. There’s also hiking and biking trails throughout the park, if you’re up for an adventure in the trees. Oh – also there’s some sweet waterfalls (and a natural waterslide!) nearby.

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 Provincial Park

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 pretty 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!

When you’re in the heat of summer we find that this beach is several degrees cooler than everywhere else which can be a welcome reprieve when it’s pushing 40 degrees in Castlegar or Nelson.

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 Beach

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!

Also, there’s some nice shady spots here.

Crescent Valley 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: PoutineLand at the Junction, 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 is a non-motorized lake so there’s a lot of paddle boarders and fishers. It’s one of our absolute favourite places to swim, paddle, or camp in the Kootenays – we try to get out here every year!

As always, stay safe out there. Pack lots of water, snacks, sun protection, and leave no trace when enjoying this beautiful region.

If you’re wondering what to do in Castlegar this season, we’ve got plenty more for you to explore! Here’s some great family activities in Castlegar, as well as some activities to try in Castlegar during the spring and summer.