So you’ve been to Nelson before. You’ve been to the most iconic coffee shops, hit the most popular restaurants, and had a drink at the city’s iconic bars and breweries. You’ve been to the city’s best parks and hiked up Pulpit Rock for one of Nelson’s best views.
You’re a Nelson pro! But there’s still more for you: welcome to the fun part, where you can really start to see past the tourist stops and find the city’s hidden gems. There’s plenty more to find on your adventure. Here’s what to do on your next trip to Nelson.
Float the Slocan
One of the simple joys of the Kootenays is kicking back with a cold drink and floating down the Slocan River. This favourite local Summer pastime takes between 2-4 hours, depending on how high the water is, but is an absolute treat every time.
Grab a few friends, a waterproof case for your phone, and let the river take you where it wants! There’s no wrong place to start, but the bridges at Slocan Park and Passmore are popular jumping off points, and people usually disembark at or before Crescent Beach.
Fair warning that after that point it gets pretty dicey, and you’ll want a proper whitewater raft or kayak (along with some safety training). Up until Crescent Beach though, it’s pretty smooth sailing!
Day Trips
Next time you’re in the Kootenays, why not make Nelson your home base, and check out some day trips from here? Some of the surrounding communities are well worth a trip of their own! How about spending a day in Kaslo, or exploring the Slocan Valley?
Within a few hours drive from Nelson you can see the entire Kootenays. You can drive on a tour of Nakusp’s hot springs, or take an overnight camping trip in one of the area’s incredible alpine hikes. Many of these communities are small, and can be thoroughly explored in a day or two, so set up camp in Nelson, and live the Kootenay life for a while!
Kokanee Glacier
Across the road from Kokanee Creek Park is the equally spectacular Kokanee Glacier Park. This incredible hiking destination feels like a different world than the park below, with the shift into sub alpine terrain and a different set of flora/fauna. Visit the glacier itself, the old growth forest on the way up, or one of the glacial lakes here for an unforgettable expedition that can be done in an afternoon!
Fish the Columbia
Just a half hour from Nelson lies Castlegar, a city built at the confluence of the Columbia River and the Kootenay River. This area is teeming with aquatic life, making it a sought after fishing destination for anglers from all around. Even if you’ve never fished before, a fishing trip to Castlegar is a beautiful way to enjoy nature, and you might even bring home dinner too!
Experience a Festival
The Kootenays are home to several festivals every year. From music and arts events to cultural celebrations and outdoor adventures, there’s always something happening in this region. Whether you’re a fan of live music, delicious food, or outdoor activities, you’re sure to find a festival that suits your interests. The most famous of these is Shambhala, an electronic music festival that brings 20,000 people to the Salmo River Ranch for one week every year, but the Kootenays are also home to Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival, Starbelly Jam, and several other festivals! You can find them on our calendar here.
Cool Off at a Stunning Lake
Kootenay Lake is huge, beautiful, and cold! At least most of the year…
Luckily the Kootenays have an abundance of cute little lakes that are still refreshing, but not as cold as the glacier fed Kootenay Lake. This is Champion Lake, one of our favourite places to go in the Summer. It’s warm enough to swim in in June, an incredible place to camp, and an absolutely idiilic spot to paddle or enjoy the sun from the beaches at either end of the lake.
The best part is, it’s not the only option! There’s smaller lakes all over the Kootenays that are absolutely gorgeous. We’ll make a list of accessible woodland lakes soon, but in the meantime send us a message on Facebook and we’ll point you in the right direction!
Come Back for Burger Month
Nelson Burger Month is an annual culinary celebration that showcases the creativity of Nelson’s best chefs. All November long, participating restaurants create unique, mouthwatering burger creations, often featuring locally sourced ingredients and innovative flavour combinations.
With 35+ burgers to try, it’s really worth making a trip to try some of these creations, like the 2023 Best Tasting Winner, Broken Hill “Slam Dunk Burger”: House ground brisket and chuck patty. Bothwell smoked gouda, confit garlic & caramelized onion horseradish aioli, and a red wine onion jam. Set between a French dip style herb and garlic bun from our friends at Kootenay Bakers. Served with red wine demi jus for dipping.
If you’re planning your first trip to Nelson, we’ve got an ultimate guide to Nelson you should check out, covering everything from restaurants to activities!
If you’ve seen it all, check out our other recommendations for things to do in Nelson and the surrounding areas!
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