- Camping with Snow sport
The best camping near Ainsworth Hot Springs with snow sports
94% (71) • 7 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Ainsworth Hot Springs
Laid Back Manor Farm
1. Laid Back Manor Farm
95%
(29)
53km from Ainsworth Hot Springs · 1 site · Tent, RV
There was a dream......come visit to learn more!! Current update:
Brevity is the soul of wit!! There are some changes this season. It's been a great 5 years with Hipcamp, but the only constant is change!! So - We're open May to September this year ONLY. Otherwise, we hope to maintain the same glorious private wilderness getaway we've been providing for the past 5 years, and look forward to seeing you. I'm putting in more pear trees this year, and the orchards are growing!! I'll be upgrading all the (minimal) facilities this month. No worries!!
The location is private and quiet, and you won't see any other people unless you go looking. We are dog friendly, and Finnegan the house heeler is leashed or not on a case by case basis. The riverside area is a wildlife corridor so be prepared to see deer, bears, eagles, osprey, wild turkeys, kingfishers, cedar waxwings, mountain bluebirds, the odd rare coyote/cougar, and possibly elk among others!! Generally, it's pretty quiet, but there are days...... August is peak Grizzly time, so please be bear aware.....They come here only rarely and we didn't see any on site last year, *whew* The river is perfect for swimming and diving in high water, but very cold (glacial runoff) which is amazingly refreshing, but don't count on being in it for hours.
As a semi-retired chef, writer, musician, farmer, English teacher, entrepreneur and revolutionary,your host can offer impressive gourmet meals to feed
body and soul -made with local organic ingredients and great conscious awareness at an agreed-upon price according to your needs. The garden is full of organic veggies, and there may be fresh venison or wild turkey if you're here in the fall. Please no hunting and no guns if you are a guest.
There are amazing day and multi-day hikes within minutes or hours drive, and as a local of many years, your host can provide excellent advice and directions. Grayson and Finnegan look forward to meeting you and seeing to it that you're well situated and outfitted for a good time in the Canadian Outback!!
Looking for a quiet, peaceful, private wilderness retreat? This place is rrreally beautiful and I'm looking forward to hosting for another glorious year of laid back wilderness camping. Cheers to all of you and HAPPY TRAILS!!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
CA$36
/ night
For-rest Retreat
2. For-rest Retreat
99%
(43)
64km from Ainsworth Hot Springs · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
We bought this property in 2008 as raw land with an old off-grid 1950's cabin on it. While the log structure was sound, the cabin needed some major renovations to be liveable. We undertook renovations, lived in it for 6 months and then moved into a yurt on a more accessible section of our property. We now run the cabin as a short term rental, have another small rental next to our house and we are using the yurt for gatherings, retreats and yoga classes!
For more info, visit our website: https://for-rest.ca
Learn more about this land:
AVAILABLE ALL YEAR!
A backcountry-style off-grid cabin in a perfect location to explore the Kootenays.
THIS CABIN IS ACCESSED BY A 0.7 KM HIKING TRAIL ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.
Enjoy privacy and be close to nature at the base of Keystone Mountain. Far enough to feel like you are away from it all, close enough to experience all the Kootenays have to offer.
Campfires are permitted when there is no fire ban. We have firewood available to purchase - please add this as an extra at the time of booking.
Close to world-class ski hills and backcountry skiing, excellent hiking and mountain biking opportunities and even private trails right out your door.
Enormous snowy peaks, clear lakes, and waterfalls characterize this mountain playground in southeastern British Columbia, where visitors can expect backcountry adventures, endless singletrack mountain bike trails, hiking trails, mineral hot springs, and small towns with vibrant arts and culture scenes.
Our property is located just outside of Salmo, in the Hub of the Kootenays. 30 minutes from Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Kootenay Pass, and Champion Lakes.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
CA$28
/ night
The Kootenay Cottage, Pet Friendly
3. The Kootenay Cottage, Pet Friendly
19km from Ainsworth Hot Springs · 1 site
This fully furnished and fully equipped cottage is super cozy for a single person or couple. Always pet friendly and no pet or cleaning fee!
The cottage offers a memory/gel queen bed with 100% cotton sheets, down pillows, down comforter and 100% cotton towels. The space includes a fully equipped kitchen with a stove, microwave, toaster, blender, Keurig, French press, plates, glasses, silverware, stainless steel pots and pans. Just bring your groceries and pet food!
Wifi, 1 1/2 gig. The cottage is next to the West Arm Provincial Park, hiking and biking trails are all pet-friendly! A short walk to Kootenay Lake and a 5-minute drive to the beach (pet friendly). The cottage is close to Balfour, Nelson, Ainsworth Hot Springs, Kokanee Creek Provincial Park and spawning channels, Old Growth Forest and the Kokanee Glacier.
2024-weekly only, Saturday to Saturday. Please contact to confirm availability.
2025-weekly only, Friday to Friday, May through September 2025
We look forward to hosting you!
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
CA$175
/ night
Cedar Creek Farm
4. Cedar Creek Farm
79%
(7)
48km from Ainsworth Hot Springs · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Best described as Heaven on Earth. Whatever outdoor adventure you enjoy, this will be an ideal home base. The mountains and waters of the Kootenays are legendary. This is also a source of legendary BC Bud. This farm has been cultivating medical cannabis since 2008 and in 2020 we received our recreational cannabis licence. Wholistic health and wellness are the values that motivate our work
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
CA$40
/ night
Creston Valley Geodesic Dome & Camp
5. Creston Valley Geodesic Dome & Camp
100%
(4)
71km from Ainsworth Hot Springs · 1 site
Unique Mountain Retreat in Creston Valley’s Community Forest
For those seeking a unique touch, our geodesic dome provides comfortable, three-season glamping with awe-inspiring valley views.
Escape to our expansive 22-acre property that borders the serene, public-use land of Arrow and Goat Mountain, offering direct access to miles of rugged mountain paths and logging roads. Experience Creston Valley from a secluded clearing at the heart of nature—a private & peaceful spot with a furnished geodesic dome and plenty of room for additional trailers and tents.
Property Highlights:
• Exclusive Reservations: Privacy is guaranteed—only one group is booked at a time, so you’ll have the entire place to yourselves.
• Disc Golf and Exploration: Try out our private 9+ hole disc golf course or set out on endless trails for hiking and wildlife spotting.
• Convenient Access to Creston & Nearby Lakes: Just a 15-minute drive to downtown Creston, Duck Lake, Kootenay Lake, Goat River, Summit Creek, Corn Creek Falls, and Kootenay River.
• Scenic Amenities: The outhouse comes with an unparalleled view, and you’ll also have access to a BBQ and a generator (available upon request).
Whether you’re here for comfort camping, glamping, or the ultimate rustic retreat, this property offers a one-of-a-kind experience.
A fun private 9+ hole disc golf course is built into the area you will be staying.
Note that to ensure the best experience possible, reservations are made to only one group at a time. If you want to feel like you are truly alone in the woods, this is the spot for you!
Note that this property is designed for a "glamping"/camping experience. The geodesic dome is not heated. While a small propane heater and warm bed are provided, please come prepared for the weather.
High-clearance AWD vehicle recommended if you plan to drive down the old road to the location, otherwise please plan to park up top (we can help shuttle down your stuff).
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
CA$120
/ night
94% (71) • 7 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Ainsworth Hot Springs
Laid Back Manor Farm
1. Laid Back Manor Farm
95%
(29)
53km from Ainsworth Hot Springs · 1 site · Tent, RV
There was a dream......come visit to learn more!! Current update:
Brevity is the soul of wit!! There are some changes this season. It's been a great 5 years with Hipcamp, but the only constant is change!! So - We're open May to September this year ONLY. Otherwise, we hope to maintain the same glorious private wilderness getaway we've been providing for the past 5 years, and look forward to seeing you. I'm putting in more pear trees this year, and the orchards are growing!! I'll be upgrading all the (minimal) facilities this month. No worries!!
The location is private and quiet, and you won't see any other people unless you go looking. We are dog friendly, and Finnegan the house heeler is leashed or not on a case by case basis. The riverside area is a wildlife corridor so be prepared to see deer, bears, eagles, osprey, wild turkeys, kingfishers, cedar waxwings, mountain bluebirds, the odd rare coyote/cougar, and possibly elk among others!! Generally, it's pretty quiet, but there are days...... August is peak Grizzly time, so please be bear aware.....They come here only rarely and we didn't see any on site last year, *whew* The river is perfect for swimming and diving in high water, but very cold (glacial runoff) which is amazingly refreshing, but don't count on being in it for hours.
As a semi-retired chef, writer, musician, farmer, English teacher, entrepreneur and revolutionary,your host can offer impressive gourmet meals to feed
body and soul -made with local organic ingredients and great conscious awareness at an agreed-upon price according to your needs. The garden is full of organic veggies, and there may be fresh venison or wild turkey if you're here in the fall. Please no hunting and no guns if you are a guest.
There are amazing day and multi-day hikes within minutes or hours drive, and as a local of many years, your host can provide excellent advice and directions. Grayson and Finnegan look forward to meeting you and seeing to it that you're well situated and outfitted for a good time in the Canadian Outback!!
Looking for a quiet, peaceful, private wilderness retreat? This place is rrreally beautiful and I'm looking forward to hosting for another glorious year of laid back wilderness camping. Cheers to all of you and HAPPY TRAILS!!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
CA$36
/ night
For-rest Retreat
2. For-rest Retreat
99%
(43)
64km from Ainsworth Hot Springs · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
We bought this property in 2008 as raw land with an old off-grid 1950's cabin on it. While the log structure was sound, the cabin needed some major renovations to be liveable. We undertook renovations, lived in it for 6 months and then moved into a yurt on a more accessible section of our property. We now run the cabin as a short term rental, have another small rental next to our house and we are using the yurt for gatherings, retreats and yoga classes!
For more info, visit our website: https://for-rest.ca
Learn more about this land:
AVAILABLE ALL YEAR!
A backcountry-style off-grid cabin in a perfect location to explore the Kootenays.
THIS CABIN IS ACCESSED BY A 0.7 KM HIKING TRAIL ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.
Enjoy privacy and be close to nature at the base of Keystone Mountain. Far enough to feel like you are away from it all, close enough to experience all the Kootenays have to offer.
Campfires are permitted when there is no fire ban. We have firewood available to purchase - please add this as an extra at the time of booking.
Close to world-class ski hills and backcountry skiing, excellent hiking and mountain biking opportunities and even private trails right out your door.
Enormous snowy peaks, clear lakes, and waterfalls characterize this mountain playground in southeastern British Columbia, where visitors can expect backcountry adventures, endless singletrack mountain bike trails, hiking trails, mineral hot springs, and small towns with vibrant arts and culture scenes.
Our property is located just outside of Salmo, in the Hub of the Kootenays. 30 minutes from Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Kootenay Pass, and Champion Lakes.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
CA$28
/ night
The Kootenay Cottage, Pet Friendly
3. The Kootenay Cottage, Pet Friendly
19km from Ainsworth Hot Springs · 1 site
This fully furnished and fully equipped cottage is super cozy for a single person or couple. Always pet friendly and no pet or cleaning fee!
The cottage offers a memory/gel queen bed with 100% cotton sheets, down pillows, down comforter and 100% cotton towels. The space includes a fully equipped kitchen with a stove, microwave, toaster, blender, Keurig, French press, plates, glasses, silverware, stainless steel pots and pans. Just bring your groceries and pet food!
Wifi, 1 1/2 gig. The cottage is next to the West Arm Provincial Park, hiking and biking trails are all pet-friendly! A short walk to Kootenay Lake and a 5-minute drive to the beach (pet friendly). The cottage is close to Balfour, Nelson, Ainsworth Hot Springs, Kokanee Creek Provincial Park and spawning channels, Old Growth Forest and the Kokanee Glacier.
2024-weekly only, Saturday to Saturday. Please contact to confirm availability.
2025-weekly only, Friday to Friday, May through September 2025
We look forward to hosting you!
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
CA$175
/ night
Cedar Creek Farm
4. Cedar Creek Farm
79%
(7)
48km from Ainsworth Hot Springs · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Best described as Heaven on Earth. Whatever outdoor adventure you enjoy, this will be an ideal home base. The mountains and waters of the Kootenays are legendary. This is also a source of legendary BC Bud. This farm has been cultivating medical cannabis since 2008 and in 2020 we received our recreational cannabis licence. Wholistic health and wellness are the values that motivate our work
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
CA$40
/ night
Creston Valley Geodesic Dome & Camp
5. Creston Valley Geodesic Dome & Camp
100%
(4)
71km from Ainsworth Hot Springs · 1 site
Unique Mountain Retreat in Creston Valley’s Community Forest
For those seeking a unique touch, our geodesic dome provides comfortable, three-season glamping with awe-inspiring valley views.
Escape to our expansive 22-acre property that borders the serene, public-use land of Arrow and Goat Mountain, offering direct access to miles of rugged mountain paths and logging roads. Experience Creston Valley from a secluded clearing at the heart of nature—a private & peaceful spot with a furnished geodesic dome and plenty of room for additional trailers and tents.
Property Highlights:
• Exclusive Reservations: Privacy is guaranteed—only one group is booked at a time, so you’ll have the entire place to yourselves.
• Disc Golf and Exploration: Try out our private 9+ hole disc golf course or set out on endless trails for hiking and wildlife spotting.
• Convenient Access to Creston & Nearby Lakes: Just a 15-minute drive to downtown Creston, Duck Lake, Kootenay Lake, Goat River, Summit Creek, Corn Creek Falls, and Kootenay River.
• Scenic Amenities: The outhouse comes with an unparalleled view, and you’ll also have access to a BBQ and a generator (available upon request).
Whether you’re here for comfort camping, glamping, or the ultimate rustic retreat, this property offers a one-of-a-kind experience.
A fun private 9+ hole disc golf course is built into the area you will be staying.
Note that to ensure the best experience possible, reservations are made to only one group at a time. If you want to feel like you are truly alone in the woods, this is the spot for you!
Note that this property is designed for a "glamping"/camping experience. The geodesic dome is not heated. While a small propane heater and warm bed are provided, please come prepared for the weather.
High-clearance AWD vehicle recommended if you plan to drive down the old road to the location, otherwise please plan to park up top (we can help shuttle down your stuff).
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
CA$120
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
Dawn and Fred
September 2025
24 ft travel trailer
Beautiful, peaceful site right beside the river where the red Kokanee were flipping in the water. Easy access with our 24ft trailer.
Thanks Jason!
See more
j
janai
August 2025
25 ft travel trailer
With pets
Gary is a wonderful host and we'd be happy to stay again anytime!!
See moreP
Peter
August 2025
25 ft campervan
Fabulous semi-wilderness with king-fisher, geese, ducks and while I was there, leaping bright orange kokanee primed for spawning season. Duncan dam was releasing huge amounts of water to nearly bank full for the first day. Ducks floated by at 10kph and it almost seemed that they would fly back upstream for another ride.
If you want an EMF holiday there was 1 wifi feed from the host and NOTHING else. No cell or other wifi. Also if you are there on a cloud free night there is the a nearly a complete milky-way.
On the downside, mosquitos were in full force during the day but checked out at dusk. Overall a great wildlife experience in a rustic spot.
See more
Diana
August 2025
32 ft travel trailer
With pets
My husband and two poodles absolutely loved hanging out on the Laid Back Manor Farm. It felt like home. The site by the river is private, beautiful and spacious. The glacier fed river was like nature's air conditioning and definitely worth the cold plunge. Wildlife abounds and will not disappoint. We have a 30 foot motorhome and having such a beautiful level spot was amazing. The beauty of the area is intoxicating and host Jason is a superb host with culinary skills to boot! To be able to practice our archery skills was such a bonus. It was a difficult place to leave for so many reasons but for sure I will go back.
See more
Giovanni
August 2025
4 nights at For-rest Retreat
The cabin was awesome, very secluded and quiet, is a nice touch having all the cooking gear already there for you, the woodburning fireplace was great for keeping warm at night,
Would recommend packing light for the light hike to get there. Would highly recommended for anyone looking to get away from a few days
See more
S
Simone
August 2025
17 ft travel trailer
With pets
You want peace and quiet, this place is for you.
Not a sole around except for host and his pup.
This area is so beautiful and relaxing.
Target practise with your bow or fish right off deck at site.
Try J food and you won’t be disappointed. 5 star meal.
Tips.
If you coming from the north on Hwy 31 it’s slow going and several switch backs. It took a lot longer then it looked on maps and google. Road is well maintained for a forestry truck road but some wash board and narrow passing. We didn’t see any vehicles except for a couple of quads. The scenery is spectacular. Beware there is no CELL service. So have your route laid out in screen shots with directions. Once you pass Meadowcreek ( Meadow creek community has a free WiFI hotspot and hot showers) look for Cooper Creek sign and the speed limit goes down to 60km/hr. It’s the first left after the signs.
If you kayak or paddle board, Howser and Glacier regional parks have great launch sites. Howser has a small beach for kids and dogs.
Also bring firewood. It’s hard to find. We went to Davis creek PP to get some, 10 mins drive.
Kaslo is 30 mins south. And has no big name stores. But well stocked and great places to eat.
Highly recommended and will be back. 😀
See moreJ
Jenn
July 2025
17 ft travel trailer
With pets
This is such a beautiful piece of property. You can tell that Jason is a great stewart of the land. We swam and played with our dogs and explored this beautiful area of the country. I can’t recommend this place enough. It was incredibly quiet. One night we were woken up by (I think) foxes. We saw some bats. It was really fun to experience.
For folks planning on booking a stay here, bring cash for the hot showers at the community centre. Kaslo is the closest town with a bank machine and it’s an hour away or so. It’s also a beautiful spot and fun to explore. It would also be good to bring maps, we had no cell phone service. It’s not hard to get around at all, but in case you were wanting to go some place specific, you’ll want a working GPS!
See more
A
Alexander
July 2025
Group trip
Very awesome, everything about this property was perfect
See more
R
Rebecca
July 2025
21 ft campervan
With pets
Jason’s land is stunningly beautiful and our stay was a much needed system reset 😊 we would love to be back one day! Thank you for having us Jason!
See moreJ
Jenny
July 2025
With kids
Beautiful location! The Geodome was a neat experience! Ryan provided us with everything we needed and was very helpful making sure we had a great stay! Communications with Ryan were easy and he quickly answered any questions we had. The property is very large and had everything, from the netted gazebo, fire pit area, outdoor shower, and the nicest, cleanest, most amazing view outhouse!
See more
N
Nora
July 2025
Tent
Jason’s tent spot was absolutely gorgeous. The new tent pad was perfect for our 2 person tent and allowed us to cook and hang off the edge.
Jason was a wonderful host, communicated as soon as we were booked to introduce himself.
Gave effective directions to his place and gave a great tour of the space.
Only word of warning - do not forget your bug spray. The pad is by the river which means mosquitos! But also means you can watch the bats do their job by the river at dusk.
Looking forward to stay there again.
See more
A
Ali
July 2025
21 ft campervan
relaxed and beautiful site at Jason’s land! Jason was very kind and gave us a full tour of his property.
Highly recommend and we hope to be back!
See moreC
Colton
June 2025
Group trip
Had an absolutely incredible weekend with my brother and our friends. The geodome was so cool, and the prospectors cabin was awesome! The wood stove kept us cozy while it rained. Disc golf, giant beer pong, corn hole, axe throwing, all great fun. Ryan was an excellent host and we are already planning our next trip!
See more
Candice
April 2025
2 nights at Creston Valley Geodesic Dome & Camp
Awesome location located so close to Creston.
The Dome was beautiful and such a cool experience! Comfy, classy, clean, and equipped with everything you might need!
Ryan was a great host and very helpful!
The group camping spot overall is super awesome! Very private and felt safe!
See more
G
Gun Hee
April 2025
With pets
It was the best vacation I ever had! Loved the cabin, and the trails. Best of all I could spend the days with my dog as well.
See moreAinsworth Hot Springs camping guide
Where to go
Nelson
With 350 restored heritage buildings and a historic streetcar that’s still in operation, Nelson has a small-town feel with the amenities of a metropolitan area. It sits 45-minutes south of Ainsworth on the western arm of Kootenay Lake. From the snow-capped Selkirk Mountains to the lake views, Nelson has natural splendor from every angle. Many camping accommodations are available, including tent camping, RV campsites, and glamping in cedar wood cabins. The hilly mountain terrain provides epic skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in winter. Hiking, golfing, mountain biking, and fishing are popular activities in the summertime.
Nakusp
The town of Nakusp is a remote area beside Arrow Lake, roughly an hour and a half from Ainsworth. The three local hot springs—Nakusp Hot Springs, Halcyon Hot Springs, and Halfway Hot Springs—are surrounded by more than 15 kilometres of hiking trails. Mountain biking is a hit in the summertime while the winter snow creates the perfect playground for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Tent camping, RV campsites, and chalet cabin rentals are available near the Halfway Hot Springs.
Howser Recreation Site
Nestled beside Duncan Lake (an hour north of Ainsworth), the Howser Recreation Site has a boat launch, covered picnic tables, and excellent fishing. RV and tent campsites are available, but they’re on a first-come, first-serve basis, so no reservations are needed. Get there early in the morning to snag a campsite with a lake view or one close to the pit toilets to make life more convenient. The Glayco Beach day-use area is just down the road with rock and sand beaches.
When to go
Ainsworth has distinct seasons with perfect weather for outdoor activities year-round. Summertime heat runs from July until the end of August with temperatures up to 26°C. Snowfall is common from December until February, with a peak in January. Typically, Ainsworth doesn’t get colder than -5°C in winter, which allows for outdoor sports and activities without frostbite. Spring, from March until June, brings lots of rain in the area, but some campsites are equipped with concrete pads.
