Day Trip - Crawford Bay / East Shore

The East Shore of Kootenay Lake is a 35 Km drive East of Nelson along the shore of Kootenay Lake then a 45 minute ferry ride that takes you across the lake on a ride that affords 360 degrees of breathtaking views. The road down the East Shore (Highway 3A) is the top motorcycling road in the west.

You arrive in Kootenay Bay, a community of 100, where you can begin exploring immediately. Try hiking at Pilot Bay Provincial Park, visit the local restaurant and shops or carry on to the next communities of Riondel and Crawford Bay. Yasodhara Ashram is a beautiful spot to visit en route to Riondel.
Crawford Bay is home to the East Shore’s largest annual event StarBelly Jam, a summer festival of music, dance, food and fun. Year round, Crawford Bay has incredible artisan shops that absolutely beg to be enjoyed, producing crafts that merge with fine art - unique gifts to take home! Or you can play golf or just lounge at the sandy beach.
As you continue to explore the East Shore, the communities of Gray Creek and Boswell offer fishing year round, hiking, 4-wheeling and snowmobiling. Gray Creek Pass is a great place for off-roading.  Further south, the Glass House in Boswell (built of embalming fluid bottles!) is not to be missed.  Try the many beaches – there’s a good one at  Lockhart Creek and Beach Provincial Park.

Each community on the East Shore has its own flavour, take the time to stop and enjoy all they have to offer. The East Shore is a day trip from Nelson you don’t want to miss; from the drive and ferry ride to the many opportunities to explore, this day trip belongs on your travel itinerary.