Beach camping near Castlegar with campfires

Castlegar, known for its Doukhobor heritage, has several campgrounds and RV parks, as well as nearby provincial parks. Twenty kilometres (12.5 miles) west of town, Syringa Provincial Park has two vehicle-accessible campgrounds on Lower Arrow Lake, while Nancy Greene Provincial Park, 30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of Castlegar, where Highways 3 and 3B meet, is convenient for road-tripping campers.

Summer and fall are the nicest seasons for camping in Castlegar and British Columbia’s Kootenay Mountains. From July into mid-October, there’s normally little rain, and the days are warm and sunny. In BC’s mountains, snow can begin to fall in October, and from November through February (and sometimes into March), the region can see heavy snow and temperatures hovering around or below freezing. Spring weather can be variable, with rain alternating with sunny cool days.

• Driving from the US? There are three land border crossings within a 60- to 90-minute drive of Castlegar. The Frontier/Paterson crossing, on US Highway 25 and Canadian Highway 22, is normally open 24 hours.
• You should be able to find groceries and camping supplies in the Castlegar area. Nearby Nelson also has a number of outdoor gear stores.
• As you’re exploring the back roads of the West Kootenays region, note that several routes involve ferry crossings along the inland lakes. On Kootenay Lake, a free ferry crosses between Balfour on the west shore and Kootenay Bay on the east. Check online for ferry schedules and service updates.