A short drive north from the Spokane area, Colville is a captivating small town that blends natural beauty, rich history and vibrant community spirit. Tucked in the heart of the Colville Valley, it’s surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and rugged mountains—an ideal setting for all types of outdoor pursuits. Hiking, mountain and road biking, fishing, camping, hunting and birdwatching are just a few of the fall adventures that draw visitors to this corner of the Inland Northwest. 

One of the biggest highlights is the nearby Colville National Forest. Spanning more than 1.1 million acres, the forest offers incredible scenery, diverse wildlife and the kind of solitude that’s hard to come by in busier destinations. Trails wind through mountains and forests for hikers and bikers, while quiet lakes invite fishing, paddling or a peaceful picnic. Scenic day trips include three waterfalls within a short drive of town and the Selkirk Loop, a world-class international driving route. 

Colville also offers a strong sense of history and culture. The Stevens County Historical Society Museum highlights the area’s Native heritage and pioneer past, while annual events bring the community together in celebration. Visitors can join the fun at the Northeast Washington Fair, enjoy live music and art at the Yep Kanum Celebration, or take in the sounds of the FarmJam music festival. 

A fall road trip through the Colville area is the perfect escape for anyone craving outdoor adventure, relaxation and authentic small-town charm. With its uncrowded lakes and trails, stunning landscapes, and welcoming community, Colville stands out as an off-the-beaten-path gem in the Inland Northwest. Learn more at ColvilleChamberofCommerce.com. 

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Cover photo by Kari Medig and courtesy of Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism

The mountains are calling, and I must go. But with a family? You bet. Whether you’ve got tots or teens, the Nelson and Kootenay Lake region has a hiking trail for you.  

Located naturally off the beaten path between the Rockies and the Coast, the hiking is just as impressive as in Banff or Whistler, but without the crowds. Most visitors use Nelson as their base to explore the region. Multiple lodging options suit every budget and taste, ranging from waterfront resorts to family-friendly campgrounds.  

Stroll along historic Baker Street and go beyond window shopping for your recreation needs. Local shops offer a curated selection of top brands and the latest gear. If your hiking objectives are toddler-sized, grabbing a few treats can help keep the kids motivated on the trail. For the grown-ups, stock up on local produce, organic goodies and in-house meals at the Kootenay Co-Op, the largest independent cooperative grocery store in Canada.  

For those with wee ones, micro adventures can be the way to go. Hiking close to town has the advantage of being “out there” while still being able to easily pull the chute if things go sideways. The network of trails immediately above Nelson feature fun little bridges and water features with just enough elevation gain for a kiddo-sized challenge.  

Sproule Creek is a popular family-friendly hike just 10 minutes from Nelson. Offering one of the few genuinely flat trails in the area, it follows a gentle stream under a lush canopy. It’s an ideal hike for hot days, shoulder seasons and during the autumn when the leaves perform their colorful ritual. The out and back is up to 9k (5.5 miles) with 200m of elevation gain.  

Mention hiking in Nelson, and you’re sure to hear about Pulpit Rock and Lions Bluff, the most popular trails in town. Located a short drive over the iconic Big Orange Bridge, it’s common to find children (and parents) huffing up these steep trails. A sense of accomplishment and great views are guaranteed, and it’s a quick trip back to town to celebrate. Both trails are about 3.5k (2 miles) round trip with over 300m of climbing.  

The Kaslo River Trail is another great family option, weaving through the shady forest with hidden sculpture surprises to keep kids curious. The twin crimson covered bridges add to the appeal, creating a 3.5k (2 mile) fairy-tale-like kids’ loop with the trailhead only a block from downtown. Or, connect with the scenic waterfront trail, passing the skate park and playground to add another kilometer and link with the main street. The trail is snow free for most of the year, but is particularly scenic in October, when the charming town of Kaslo becomes radiantly beautiful.  

If you’re looking for a day trip that isn’t all about hiking, head across Kootenay Lake on the free ferry to discover the Pilot Bay Provincial Park trails. Watch for osprey and admire the fjord-like views between Balfour and Kootenay Bay on the boat. Choose from the super-short hike to the lighthouse or explore the easy low-elevation trails from early spring to late fall. And don’t miss a stop in Crawford Bay, a small community with a variety of unique artisans (the kids will feel like they’ve stepped into a Harry Potter set at North Woven Brooms).   

From the lakeshore to the alpine, Kokanee Glacier/Creek Provincial Parks have trails for everyone. Nearly 10k (6.2 miles) of mellow pathways meander through the peninsula at the region’s most popular family campground. Feel the intensity of the spring runoff from the Canyon Trail, head to the beach via the Grassland Trail, or count the spawning salmon from the main trails near the visitor center in the fall.  

Drive up the forestry road for some of the best hikes around, including Kokanee Old Growth Cedars. The trail may be short (1.5k and 100m of elevation) but the trees are enormous. See if your family can bear hug one of these ancient giants (probably not!).  

Continue to the end of the road for 15 minutes to the main trailhead toward the alpine. Gibson Lake Loop Trail is an easy 1.5k circuit, or, lace up your hiking boots and head towards Kokanee Lake and beyond. Patience and snacks are your best friends; the trail climbs 400m over 5k (one way), passing through dense forest before offering sweeping views of the mountainous terrain as you approach the lake. From there, it’s a cruisy 3.5k (2 miles) to Kaslo Lake campground, or the Kokanee Glacier Cabin. Maintained by the Alpine Club of Canada, it’s regarded as the most luxurious (and affordable!) public hut in the country, complete with showers, flush toilets and power. It’s the perfect base for exploring alpine trails or just relaxing in the comfort of the hut with kids. 

Renowned for its deep powder in the winter, Whitewater Mountain Resort continues to open its terrain to summer activities. Ascend the summit face for panoramic views towards Valhalla Provincial Park, or head up the Silver King side below the iconic Ymir Peak. Families with older kids can continue on, following the ridgeline and connecting to White Queen, then looping back to the start for a full-day adventure. Fuel up at Hummingbird Lodge, serving some of Whitewater’s famous pow chow from Thursday through Monday through the end of the summer season.  

For the more dedicated adventurers, Monica Meadows offers a true wilderness experience. The long forestry road near Meadow Creek takes you way up to the trailhead at 1,800m (6,000 feet), letting you spend more time hiking in the glorious alpine plateau. Lakes, wildflowers, waterfalls and glaciers provide plenty for the kids to see. Head there in the early fall for golden larches and a chance to witness the first dusting of snow. The 10k (6 mile) out-and-back hike climbs over 650m and is a two-hour drive from Nelson. 

From towering cedars to quiet creeks, serious summits to backcountry huts, the hiking trails in the Nelson and Kootenay Lake region offer a memorable outdoor experience for any family. 

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By Sarah Hauge 

Let me start with total transparency: I am not a trail runner. I have no expertise in this area. I run dozens of miles every week, but almost every one of those miles is on pavement.  

That’s not to say I’ve never tried it. I’ve run with friends through Riverside State Park. I’ll veer off the paved loop to forge my own path through a field of flowers in Upper Lincoln Park. But those forays have been a blip in my running life. For one thing, I don’t like heights; my fingertips go tingly and my imagination plays a slideshow of imminent death at the hint of a sheer drop-off.  

And truthfully, I love my road runs. I love tooling around the neighborhood, saying hi to friendly dogs, looping through favorite parks, and crisscrossing the bridges that span the river. I love seeing how familiar sights shift and cycle over time, like the slender but vibrant strip of poppies along the sidewalk near my kids’ school that bursts into bloom as a forerunner of summer. Even along the well-paved path, you’ll see a kaleidoscope of wildflowers, marmots snuffling among the shrubbery, or a bison or two grazing in their field. 

Recently, though, my family visited my brother and sister-in-law in Bellingham. They live mere footsteps from the Interurban Trail, the former rail trail that stretches from the historic Fairhaven neighborhood to Larrabee State Park. With zero sheer drop-offs and the easy access to their house, I became a committed trail runner…for exactly two days. 

It was everything I didn’t know I’d been craving. The tree canopy protected me from the rain, parting just enough to reveal expansive views of the bay. I passed not one, not two, but three waterfalls. I almost always listen to a podcast or audiobook while I run, but it was obvious that for these mornings, the trail itself would provide my soundtrack. My runs were meditative and serene, with chipmunks and birds as my main companions.  

As I ran back to my brother’s house the second morning, I felt refreshed and rejuvenated. Energized. I pushed the pace, easily ending my trail experiment feeling strong and powerful. I cruised past a man and his dog and zipped past a pair of walkers, surging toward the open path ahead. It felt good to be in nature, strong and fast and lost in my thoughts. 

And that’s when I heard voices from behind me. Not just a couple of voices, but many, many voices, approaching rapidly. Very rapidly. They must be on bikes, I thought, naively. What else could explain my powerful trail-runner persona being so swiftly overtaken? 

I’ll tell you what: I was about to be passed by dozens of members of some kind of elite men’s running club. They blew past me, chatting easily, not the least bit winded as they sailed ahead toward a narrower stretch winding down the hill. How far would they go? I couldn’t say. From the looks of it, probably forever. 
I was a little irked by the disruption, by their effortless speed, by the subconscious ease and sense of safety a group of young men together exude—which was in direct contrast to my stark awareness of my vulnerability as a woman running alone, anywhere, ever. 

But also: I loved what they were doing. A nice long run through gorgeous scenery with a group of friends on a weekend morning? There’s not much better. 

I arrived home tired and content, holding on to a few takeaways: 1) Experiment with more trail running close to home. 2) Skip the headphones every now and then. 3) If you’re going to get a small dose of humility, you might as well get it somewhere beautiful. 

Sarah Hauge is a writer and editor who lives in Spokane with her husband and kids. She is looking forward to floating the Little Spokane for the first time this summer. 

The post Going Wild Trading pavement for pines and podcasts for birdsongs  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Nothing beats a hot spring soak after a fall day hike, and Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort (40 minutes north of Nelson, B.C.), is surrounded by some pretty spectacular options. Take your pick from old-growth forest, stream-or-lakeside strolls, challenging hill climbs, or cascading waterfalls. Then kick back and relax in the natural, mineral-rich thermal waters at Ainsworth. The vast mountainous country that sprawls in all directions contains more hikes than you could take on in a lifetime of road trips, but these are a few autumn favorites. 

• Kokanee Old Growth Cedars (2.4k round trip). Located 11.7k up the Kokanee Glacier Road by Kokanee Provincial Park, between Nelson and Ainsworth, this grove of huge trees up to 800 years old is a humbling and inspiring hike that just about anyone can take on. 

• Kaslo River Trail System (from 1k to a full day of wandering). Right on the edge of the village of Kaslo, this trail system has loops, red covered bridges, and streamside views of spawning Kokanee in September. Hike as far or as little as you like and keep an eye out for interpretive signs and the handiwork of local artists along the trail. 

• Fletcher Falls (around 1k round trip). 6k south of Kaslo, the short but steep hike down to Fletcher Falls and the shore of Kootenay Lake rewards hikers with the pounding spray of an impressive waterfall and a gorgeous picnic and rock-skipping spot on the lake. 

Book your Ainsworth hot spring session in advance (included with lodging) and do yourself a favor and make dinner reservations at the on-site Ktunaxa Grill while you’re at it. Ainsworthhotsprings.com. 

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Surrounded by mountains and rushing rivers, Cranbrook offers endless discovery. As temperatures cool, it transforms into a fall paradise, perfect for those seeking an authentic autumn escape. With a longer summer season than many neighboring destinations, Cranbrook remains warm and open for mountain biking, hiking, and outdoor adventures well into the fall.

Go on a Tasting Ale-Venture

Cranbrook is home to two local craft breweries, each with its unique offerings. The Heid Out restaurant is home to Fisher Peak Brewing, while Encore Brewing features a craft brewery, bowling alley, arcade, and tasting room with a full kitchen. Check out the Cranbrook Beer Fest on September 14 and the Cranbrook + Kimberley Tasting Passport from September 13 to October 31.

Hop Across the Border

Cranbrook is just a three-and-a-half-hour drive on Route 95 from Spokane, making it ideal for an impromptu weekend escape. Plus, thanks to the favorable exchange rate, American travelers can enjoy a 25% to 35% discount on their trip!

Book a Sip + Stay

Pair your stay with a craft beer experience by booking a Sip + Stay package. Cranbrook has somewhere special for you to rest your head, from upscale resorts to historic hotels to family-run bed and breakfasts and everything in between.

Trekking Adventures for All

With the Rocky Mountains and Purcell Ranges at Cranbrook’s doorstep, it’s the perfect spot to stretch your hiking muscles. Explore trails along lakes, waterfalls, and epic views, offering diverse treks through breathtaking landscapes.

Paddle Mountain Lakes

Whether it’s a refreshing plunge, a scenic view, or a picturesque paddle, Cranbrook oers it all with four lakes within an hour’s drive. Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, these uncrowded waters are perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and whitewater paddling.

Golden Views

Cranbrook’s autumn is a dramatic spectacle as golden larches transform the Kootenay landscapes from green to honey-toned gold. From late September through November, locals embrace the season, paddling calm waters, hiking trails wrapped in amber warmth, and taking scenic drives through the caramel-kissed countryside.

Whether it’s a refreshing plunge, a scenic view, or a picturesque paddle, Cranbrook offers it all with four lakes within an hour’s drive. Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, these uncrowded waters are perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and whitewater paddling.

Biking

Cranbrook boasts world-class riding options, from road and gravel routes to singletrack and groomed winter trails. Nestled in the Rocky Mountain Trench, it’s a prime destination for mountain biking, offering everything from quiet singletrack to challenging black-diamond descents, all just minutes from the city.

Shop Your Heart Out

Baker Street in downtown Cranbrook features bike shops, outdoor gear, clothing, books, ladies’ wear, jewellery, a chocolate shop, gifts and many independent stores. Take advantage of the artisanal crafts and local specialties, grabbing a one-of-a-kind souvenir to bring a piece of Cranbrook home with you. Get set for an epic road trip! Cross the border to Cranbrook, B.C., where craft beer and rugged scenery await alongside an autumn getaway that’s as invigorating as it is exciting.

(Sponsored Article)

The post 8 Reasons to Make Cranbrook, BC, Your Fall Road Trip Destination appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Claire Thompson

I spent most of the summer of 2022 clearing trails in burned forests. The Entiat River drainage in north central Washington, where I was working for the Forest Service, had been torched by a series of fires over the past two decades: 2006’s Tin Pan, 2014’s Duncan, 2015’s Wolverine, 2018’s Cougar. The previous summer, trail crews had cleared hundreds of logs from the Entiat’s main routes. This year, hundreds more singed snags had fallen to replace them.  

I trudged through the tawny dust day after day, crosscut saw over my shoulder, watching the waterfalls that feed the Entiat River dwindle to trickles as the summer wore on. Hiking through the most shadeless stretches of trail, I tried to pass the time by looking in vain for seedlings, anything green to break the brown. The temperature in Wenatchee topped 100 again and again. At night, I continued to cut logs in my dreams.  

The first week of September, I took a break from work to join a waterborne writing workshop. For six days, a group of us would float the Green River—which threads the border between Utah and Colorado—talking and writing about climate change. After several scorching months spent confronting the aftermath of wildfire and drought on a daily basis, the trip’s themes couldn’t have felt more apt. 

So what surprised me the most, driving east into the desert at the beginning of September, was the green. Here in the Northwest, late summer is the least lush, most flammable time of year. On my way to Utah, I’d crossed the corner of Oregon in a murk of gravy-colored smoke. I expected the bluffs and breaks of Dinosaur National Monument, my destination, to feel at least as parched as home. Instead, the landscape was a vivid rainbow: the creamy sunset-colored curves of the cliffs, dark-green bursts of piñon and juniper dotting the rocks, white froth of rapids on the jade river, all of it beneath a dome of bright blue sky.  

At night, on the sandy beaches of the Green River, we had campfires, which shocked me. Then I remembered that in the Southwest, fire season traditionally peaks in late spring. The monsoon rains come in June and July, greening the willows, and by September it’s perfect camping weather. I looked around and above me, trying to imagine flames climbing these cliffs, overtopping the lip of the canyon, running away across the plateau. I can’t look at a landscape without seeing fire.  

Far from the burns of the high Cascades, the desert’s vibrant colors quenched my thirst. That week on the Green River was sweet relief in more ways than one. I felt free, on the river, to fully occupy a different part of myself—the writer part, the version of me that belonged in a world where paying attention and telling about it, as Mary Oliver instructed, not only mattered, but was perhaps the most important thing I could do. 

After the river, I drove home via Missoula, where I had a closet full of belongings to clear out of my grad-school apartment before my subletter took over the lease. In the middle of shoving lamps and end tables and boxes of old notebooks into the back of my Subaru, I got a call from my boyfriend, back in Washington, at his home just west of Stevens Pass. A fire had started early that morning near Skykomish, ten miles away. An east wind was pushing the blaze down valley, fast. Flakes of ash and chunks of embers fell around him as we spoke. He was clearing debris, setting up sprinklers, and loading important possessions into a trailer, poised to evacuate. Was there anything of mine he should make sure to grab? 

All at once, the sparkling days on the Green River with my new writer friends receded into a dreamy past. Like everyone who lives in a fire-prone landscape, I carry a constant awareness that my place could be next. I never imagined it would be a west-side fire that would first hit home.  

The Bolt Creek Fire, as the blaze threatening my home was christened, was an eerie echo of the 2020 Labor Day fires in Washington and Oregon. Same week of the year, same wicked wind driving the fire swiftly down the west slope of the Cascades, toward crowded suburbs and interstates. Same heavy pall lingering too long over Seattle, reminding city dwellers that the border between wild and worldly has always been a flimsy fiction. As climate-caused drought sucks moisture from temperature forests, west-side conflagrations like the Bolt Creek Fire threaten to become more common. 

That week on the Green River, in the rainbow desert, our conversations kept swirling back to the same questions. We talked about how to embrace a world that’s changing. We spoke of the search for a new way to write about landscape, one that is realistic without being pessimistic, that makes room for grief and hope at the same time, that is grounded in love.  

“Funny thing about grief,” Ada Limón wrote, “its hold / is so bright and determined like a flame, / like something almost worth living for.” Hearing her read those words on the radio months later, from the safety of a snowy winter, I remembered that surreal week in September when I left a river and went home to a fire.  

I remembered the quiet moments from that summer too: a silent, sunny morning sliding down a river that narrowly escaped being drowned by a dam. A sun-baked afternoon searching for seedlings in a burn and finding wolf tracks in the dust instead. I saw them now as the moments when paying attention might turn into a devotion worth living for.

Claire Thompson is a seasonal trail worker for the U.S. Forest Service and an adjunct English teacher at Wenatchee Valley College. She is pursuing an MFA in Nature Writing from Western Colorado University.  

The post Fire-Season Palette  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Tucked away in the rugged beauty of the Bitterroot Mountains on the Montana-Idaho border lies the Rails-to-Trails “Crown Jewel” — the Route of the Hiawatha. This iconic biking and hiking trail traces the path of the historic Milwaukee Railroad line and offers cyclists, hikers and nature lovers from around the globe breathtaking panoramas, a glimpse into the region’s riveting past, and one of the most distinct rails-to-trails experiences in the country. 

Spanning 15 miles, this mostly downhill route provides a thrilling yet accessible adventure suitable for just about anyone. Beginning at the East Portal Trailhead, the Hiawatha travels through dense forests and alpine meadows, across expansive canyons and clear mountain streams, past cascading waterfalls and beneath towering peaks. Along the way are 10 historic tunnels — including the iconic St. Paul Pass Taft Tunnel, stretching over 1.6 miles in length — and seven sky-high trestle-bridges with panoramic wilderness views. Captivating scenery unfolds with every twist and turn. Wildlife can be spotted along the route, especially in the early hours when there are fewer people on the trail. Keep an eye out for golden-mantled squirrels, a variety of birds, and the occasional deer, elk, moose, or bear. And at the end of the trail there’s a shuttle offering rides back up to the Roland Trailhead where you can bike back through the Taft Tunnel to your vehicle. 

This scenic treasure is also steeped in history. Forty-nine interpretive signs along the way tell the story of the railway’s construction, the lives of the workers who labored to build it, the Great Fire of 1910, and more. Recreationists can explore these testaments to the old railway, providing a fascinating look into the area’s industrial heritage.

For those seeking an unforgettable outdoor adventure, the Route of the Hiawatha – Scenic Bike Trail delivers an experience like no other. So, hop on your bike or lace up your hiking boots (rental bikes available on-site) and set out to discover the legendary Route of the Hiawatha, one of the few Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall-of-Fame Trails in the nation. The trail is open for the 2024 season through September 15. Plan your trip at Ridethehiawatha.com.

(Sponsored Story)

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Cover photo courtesy of Summer Hess

History can sometimes feel lost to the past. It’s the challenge of historians, museum curators, and historical societies to help bring the stories of years gone by to life in the present day. That’s the spirit behind the Heritage Network’s effort to build a “Columbia Boat,” a unique watercraft with a connection to the history of the Inland Northwest.

The Heritage Network is an association of museums and historical societies centered around Northeast Washington. Member organizations share resources and information and collaborate on regional projects. One such project is the upcoming 200th anniversary of the establishment of Hudson Bay Fort Colvile, which was built as a fur trading outpost in 1825 by Governor George Simpson of the Hudson’s Bay Company. At the time, the main trading outpost in the area was Spokane House (established in 1810), but Simpson felt that its location on the Spokane River was too far from the Columbia River. So Simpson abandoned Spokane House and moved his operations north to a location on the Columbia near Kettle Falls. The area had been an important salmon fishing site for Native American tribes for generations.

But the traders still needed a way to move their goods up and down the river. Enter legendary explorer David Thompson. Years earlier, Thompson had adapted the design of a birchbark canoe, popular east of the Rocky Mountains, to Northwest materials. Built using planks split from a cedar tree and seams sealed with pine pitch, the Columbia Boat became the shipping barge of its day, spacious and stout enough to carry a load of furs and other materials from Kettle Falls to the mouth of the Columbia, and light enough to be paddled all the way back upstream and portaged around waterfalls and rapids.

As part of the bicentennial celebration of Fort Colvile’s founding, The Heritage Network plans to build a replica of a 30-foot Columbia Boat. They have contracted with an Olympia-based boatbuilder named John Zinser to oversee the boat’s construction and have the boat ready by the spring of 2025 to take part in the 200th anniversary festivities.

According to Joe Barreca, President of the Heritage Network, the hope is that a group of volunteers will coalesce around the boat to paddle, maintain, and use it for educational opportunities in the future. For the time being, they are focused on raising the final $30,000 to fund the boat’s construction. Anyone interested in the Columbia Boat or the 200th anniversary celebration of Fort Colvile is encouraged to join the Heritage Network’s mailing list by emailing Joe.Barreca@gmail.com or visiting Theheritagenetwork.org.

The post Heritage Network Building a Columbia Boat appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Alana Livingston

Cover photo courtesy of Alana Livingston

Tucked halfway between Vancouver, British Columbia, and the world-renowned Whistler lies a little piece of heaven called Squamish. This coastal town, situated at the northern tip of the Howe Sound Fjord, not only embodies the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest but boasts a strong commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable adventure.

Squamish, a 7-8 hour drive from the Spokane area, is often referred to as the “outdoor recreation capital of Canada” and has become a prime destination where nature’s grandeur, exhilarating outdoor activities, and a dedicated preservation of unique ecosystems harmoniously converge. The indigenous name for Squamish is Skwxwú7mesh, meaning “Mother of Wind” and “people of sacred water.”

This name is quite fitting, considering the impressive array of water-based recreation available. From kayaking, rafting, paddling, and boating to scuba diving, Squamish offers an outstanding experience for water enthusiasts. What sets Squamish apart, though, is its consistent wind patterns, making it a top destination for kiteboarding, wing foiling, and sailing. Off the water, Squamish is home to world-class trails for hiking and biking, rock climbing, a healthy wildlife population, and offers opportunity for extreme sports like base jumping and high lining. When you arrive, the challenge lies in choosing which activities to take part in.           

Squamish has a rich tapestry of ecological wonders that lend to its important stance in ecotourism. My recent trip to Squamish allowed me to experience the area in a multitude of ways, gaining a better understanding of the past, present and future culture of this area. Engaging in activities from air, land and water offered a full spectrum of education and absolute immersion into this wonderful place. For the first time in my life, when my trip had come to an end, I found myself not ready to leave, and already planning my return before I even left the airport.

Throughout my visit, one thing became abundantly clear: the people of Squamish are deeply connected to the outdoor activities that have made this town famous. It’s a place where a vibrant energy permeates every corner, where everyone I encountered seemed to have a story about how they moved to Squamish in pursuit of the outdoor lifestyle it offers. Here are a few of the excellent opportunities you can pursue on your own trip to Squamish.

Ride with a Thriving Mountain Biking Community

Squamish is a premier destination for mountain bikers, with hundreds of miles of singletrack to satisfy every skill level. It offers everything from hair-raising downhill descents to gentle cruises along the water’s edge. The advent of e-bikes has further expanded the possibilities for athletes and tourists here. Blazing Saddles Adventure, a company co-owned by the “godfather of freeride mountain biking films,” Christian Begin, offers high-quality e-bikes that allow riders to experience multiple ecosystems in one afternoon.

On my trip last September, I rented an e-bike and headed out on a tour with Blazing Saddles. We started our ride in the city and within moments we were surrounded by lush plant life and the sounds of a babbling creek. During my ride, I was fortunate to witness the salmon spawning, a beautiful phenomenon that our guide and co-owner, Brent, shared with us. He also provided insight on the local indigenous culture, native plants, historical uses and wildlife practices, offering a full engagement with our surroundings. Witnessing a mama black bear and three cubs swimming across the river added to the sense of importance in protecting the area’s wild character. In just a few hours, I was able to experience trails surrounded by glorious mountains, abundant rainforest and the vast expanse of the estuary. In addition to offering fun and educational tours, Blazing Saddles Adventure is committed to wildlife habitat preservation.

Explore on a Stand-Up Paddleboard

Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) provides an opportunity to explore the waterways throughout Squamish, whether in the network of rivers that run through the surrounding mountains or along the coastline of Howe Sound. This unique vantage point offers a different mindset on the landscape and its commanding presence.

My SUP tour with Norman Hann Expeditions provided me so much more than I expected. Hann, somewhat of a local legend, had moved to the area (like many) motivated by the outdoors and became deeply rooted in the place. His passion for the heritage, environment and the preservation of the area lead to his business, creating film documentaries and an overall revolutionary movement for education, awareness and conservation through SUP.

Our tour was led by Eduardo, a guide who also shares a deep connection with the environment and the First Nations Community. Eduardo speaks passionately in their efforts to include the First Nations Community into their SUP experiences and build awareness surrounding all that Squamish stands for and provides. Paddling from a channel on the edge of town towards Howe Sound, we saw salmon making their journey from the sound to spawning grounds and back, along with river otters, seals and bald eagles. Eduardo also highlighted the challenges marine life has faced due to toxins from the nearby Britannia Mine. The ongoing cleanup efforts have led to the return of many sea creatures to the area, fostering a deeper appreciation for the land, the water and the abundant life it supports.

Choose Your Own Hiking Adventure

Squamish boasts an abundance of hiking trails, with options accessible from various points in and around town. Whether it’s the Smoke Bluff Loop or the Estuary Trail near downtown or the challenging ascent of Stawamus Chief Mountain, there are hikes for all skill levels. “The Chief” offers breathtaking views and a cardiovascular workout with several staircases and steep inclines. Hikers can spend the day exploring the three separate peaks of The Chief or a few hours to hike one peak. Be warned, in addition to several steep stairs to climb, hikers will become more like climbers at several points as you near the peaks. There are even routes that offer “via ferrata” options. Via Ferrata refers to steel cables or rungs that mountain climbers secure lines to limit any falls. Whether you choose to use the alternative thrill-seeking routes, you will need to climb at some point to take in the views.

Another popular option is the Sea to Summit Trail, providing opportunities to explore the summit of Mount Habrich with hikes that include waterfalls, creeks and a suspension bridge. The Summit is home to the Sea to Sky Gondola, the highest accessible viewpoint of the Howe Sound. The Summit also provides a place to eat, drink and take in the surroundings from wrap-around patios and several viewing platforms. It is worth mentioning you can hike up the summit trail and ride the gondola down for $20 (price can vary) if you’re short on time or just too tired to continue.

A Bird’s-Eye View: Aerial Tours

Aerial tours provide a unique perspective, showcasing the vastness and interconnectedness of the natural surroundings. My fortunate experience with Sea to Sky Air allowed me to grasp the fragility of the region. From a Cessna plane, I could see the spectrum of ecosystems sprawled below me, where lush coastal rainforests meet pristine fjords reflecting towering mountain ranges, valleys, and glaciers that remain rugged and isolated. The only footsteps present there belong to wildlife and some daring voyagers.

As I gazed out of the plane’s window, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of responsibility to protect this incredible landscape. It was a reminder that the natural world we were exploring is delicate, and our interactions with it needed to be respectful and sustainable. This sentiment is not only shared by the residents of Squamish, but by the numerous adventure companies that call this place home, making it a great ecotourism destination.

Squamish encapsulates the marriage of adventure, respect for indigenous heritage, and the sacred duty to protect an unparalleled natural playground. It serves as a reminder that our explorations should be conducted with thoughtfulness for the environment, the local culture and economy, and the future adventurers who will follow in our footsteps.

As my time in Squamish came to an end, I realized the heartfelt impact this town and its people had on me. It’s a place where the call of the wild is answered with open arms and where the commitment to preserve the environment is a shared responsibility. Squamish is a testament to the balance of humanity and nature. I can’t wait to return.

Read more about the amazing Squamish brewery scene and the BC Ale Trail.

Alana is forever changed after visiting Squamish and plans to return as often as possible, trying all the hiking, biking and water adventures it offers.

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A Tour of Southeast British Columbia’s Wild Lakes, Backcountry, and Mountain Towns

Planning time away from daily life’s demands and executing a great road trip can be stressful and a lot of work. But a truly excellent trip can quickly and completely obliterate anxious feelings from unfinished work you inevitably leave behind. This past May, I put that theory to the test on a six-day family road trip with my wife Shallan and son Remi. Our destination was the West Koot Route a few hours north of Spokane in British Columbia, Canada. When we started out, being good Americans, we were hell bent on packing in as many experiences as possible, and I was pretty sure I’d be checking my phone too often and working late in our hotel rooms each night. But as I’ve learned from many adventures in the BC Kootenays over the past 25 years, this intensely beautiful place has a supernatural quality about it that can flip your expectations.

As we set off from Spokane, my attention fixed on last-minute, on-the-road work emails, I barely noticed the traffic thinning and the views growing wilder as we hurried toward our first stop, Rossland, BC, the mountain biking capital of Canada. The West Koot Route is just that, a route through the west Kootenay region of southeast British Columbia that connects popular outdoor adventure meccas like Nelson and Rossland with lesser known yet equally spectacular mountains, rivers, parks, and trails systems in and around the towns of Castlegar, New Denver, Nakusp, Kaslo, Ainsworth, Balfour, Crawford Bay and other communities.

The two-plus hour drive north went fast, and the border crossing, with a passport or enhanced WA State drivers’ license, is quick and easy. Ten minutes later, we arrived in Rossland and stopped in at Revolution Cycles for a free map and advice on which trails would be best for our hill- and rock-hating 8-year-old. Driving the few blocks from town to the Centennial Trailhead, we passed a dozen people on bikes—mountain bikers heading to the trails and multiple parents on e-bikes pulling trailers with kids. At the trailhead parking lot, we opened the van door and the lush smells of spring mountain air rushed in. Friendly chatter from the handful of other people heading out for a hike or bike ride mixed with unseen birds chirping away in the trees drifted around us as we unloaded bikes and geared up. The first layers of all of that work tension began to soften ever so slightly.

Rossland: The MTB Capital of Canada

Known more for its miles of challenging singletrack, including the Seven Summits Trail and dozens of other epic rides, we learned that there are still plenty of green and blue trails to keep kids and parents happy on area trails. By far the shortest day of riding I’ve ever had after years of riding in Rossland, our pedal along the Centennial Trail, Blue Elephant, and a few short connector trails had its own unique rewards, like watching my son make it up several dreaded hills and then fly the whole way down hooting and hollering like a maniac. And instead of blowing by trailside attractions and viewpoints, we took the time to stop and look and even read the historical interpretive signs. We marveled at the trees and reveled in the silence instead of checking Strava.

After our ride, we checked into our room at the Prestige Mountain Resort and quickly set off to wander the hilly streets of picturesque Rossland in search of local treasures, which we found in droves: a cool t-shirt and biking gear at Revolution Cycles; a banana-board style skateboard and stickers at a rad little sweets, toys, and gift shop called the Bombshack where Shallan immediately felt like besties with the owner; a bottle of BC wine at the liquor store; and a favorite Canadian cheese at Ferraro Foods. We wandered the streets, found the impressive skate park, and then had a wonderful Thai food dinner with some of the tourism folks in town. Even though we had just met, conversation flowed like with old friends by the end of the meal.

That night, back at our hotel, I indeed cracked open the laptop to tap away some worries for an hour or two before calling it a night, but my heart wasn’t in it. After a quick breakfast the next morning, we beelined it to the skate park, which has plenty of eye candy for non-skaters in the form of murals, sculptures, and other art. We watched Remi roll around the many features, mostly riding his new skateboard on his belly, while Shallan and I sipped coffee in the morning sunshine. We had planned to hike up KC Ridge that morning for a view of Rossland, but if there’s one thing we have learned about traveling with children, it’s to be flexible and slow down. With morning edging toward afternoon, we finally loaded up and hit the road to Castlegar.

Castlegar: An Under-the-radar Outdoor Adventure Town

While snow still clogs many of the high-country trails in April and May, there are snow-free lower elevation trails that are ready to ride or hike that time of year. And there are other benefits of a spring trip on the West Koot Route: fewer tourists, spring flowers, comfortable temps, and, as we found in Castlegar, incredible waterfalls.

A short drive from Castlegar, renowned for the city’s sculpture walk, there are several great waterfall hikes. Little McPhee waterfall and Tulip Falls are recommended, but we visited the crashing cascades of Rialto Creek a short drive upriver from town. The new out-and-back trail up Rialto Creek called Dirty Dreams was built as a mountain bike climbing trail, but, in the spring, it’s an incredible hike along the edge of the crashing creek cascades. Impressive wooden bridges and trail features will keep you hiking farther and farther up the trail, your curiosity piqued at what wonders may await around the next bend. Dirty Dreams looks like an awesome intermediate bike ride too, and mountain bikers of all abilities won’t want to miss the Merry Creek trail system south of town.  

When we first rolled into Castlegar, we stretched our legs at the sprawling Millenial Park, which features the largest bike park in the Kootenays, while we waited for a rendezvous with ChillBilly Sportfishing Charters to head out on the Columbia River in a drift boat looking to spot sturgeon. These giant, ancient fish hang out in the shallows upstream from town, and the water at times is so clear you can observe them hanging out a few feet below from a kayak or paddleboard too. We didn’t see any sturgeon on our drift boat ride that day, but our guide was a character who shared his knowledge and love for his home waters as he rowed us up and down the river.

The highlight of our stay in Castlegar, at least for the youngster, was a surprise later that night: a Spiderman-themed hotel room with an indoor pool and towering waterslide at the Castlegar Super 8. Following him down that twisting slide over and over helped wash away lingering unease over tasks left untended at home.

Nakusp: A Wilderness Lake Town with Hot Springs and High Peaks

We left Castlegar with so many experiences to come back for, but when the snow-capped crags of the Valhalla mountain range came into view heading north, we were ready for our next West Koot Route stop. Nakusp stands out as a lake town with some of the best sub-alpine mountain views over water that I’ve seen in North America. While Shallan had a bad migraine that unfortunately meant an early night for her in our Airbnb and no trip up to the nearby, community-owned Nakusp Hot Springs (we’ve been there before and they are awesome), Remi and I played in the yard and struck up conversations with the neighbors about a wide range of subjects, from hiking secret local old growth cedar groves to water rights on the Columbia River that we share with Canada. After dinner, Remi and I set out on a walk along Arrow Lakes on the Nakusp Waterfront Walkway two blocks away. This paved path features benches, garden areas, and gorgeous views of distant dramatic peaks. The walkway ends at a sprawling, sandy public beach where Remi found another kid his age to build a rock wall with.

 The next day we made the short drive north to the relatively new biking trails and pump track at the Mt. Abriel Recreation Area. Immediately after climbing out of the van, we made friends with a few other families from Rossland, and they invited Remi to head off with them to the pump track while we finished packing up. Once we found and joined the group of parents and kids, we spent the next several hours on the pump track and then hiding under one of the picnic shelters during occasional downpours. Once the rain let up, we pedaled along several sections of fun and flowy green and blue trails, passing and being passed by dozens of other parents and kids. There were many more miles of trails for all abilities at Mt. Abriel, but for us it was time to split for our next stop.

Heading south from Nakusp then east over the mountains from New Denver to Kaslo, it’s worth a stop at the historic mining town of Sandon. In the late 1800s, Sandon was a bustling mining burg sporting 5,000-plus residents, which is hard to imagine today given the tight canyon and limited structures. Back then, though, it was the hub of the richest silver-lead producing region in Canada. Touring the few remaining buildings, including the original City Hall and Pump House, doesn’t take long but is a great way to learn about the region’s history.

Kaslo and Ainsworth Hot Springs: Lakeside Kootenay gems

The weekend we rolled into the charming village of Kaslo, the typically quiet town was bursting at the seams with Kaslo May Days celebrations featuring logger sports competitions, music, and vendors, plus the town’s usual cool shops and restaurants. Like other communities along the West Koot Route, Kaslo has excellent hiking and mountain biking trails, but the ones here start right in town, including the Kaslo River Trail system. The paddling on Kootenay Lake from public access points in town, with enchanting views of Purcell Range peaks, is the stuff of paddleboarders’ and kayakers’ dreams. (You can rent gear or book a tour with Kaslo Kayaking if needed.)

All too soon, it was time for us to make the 20-minute drive south for our reservation at Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort. Always a relaxing and restorative experience, thanks to the hot water and natural mineral content, I was about as chill as can be after a few tours through the hot springs cave with Remi. Thoughts of pre-trip life had been supplanted by dreamy meditations on distant peaks and dazzling lakes, of miles of trails out there in the lush BC forests waiting for me. After a lengthy soak, we cleaned up, thoroughly enjoyed what may have been the best meal we’ve ever had in the Kootenays at the Ktunaxa Grill at Ainsworth (see sidebar), and continued south 20 minutes to the Kootenay Lakeview Lodge in Balfour.

Balfour and Nelson: Where culture meets adventure on Kootenay Lake

The Kootenay Lakeview Lodge, perched on a forested hillside of its namesake Kootenay Lake between Nelson and Ainsworth, turned out to be a beauty of a basecamp for the remainder of our stay in Canada. We woke the next day ready for our tour down the highway a bit at Kokanee Mountain Zipline. While the rest of the family were zip-tour veterans, it was my first time on one and I wasn’t sure what I’d think. Blowing my expectations out of the water, the rides were high and blazing fast (the views flying over the Kokanee Creek canyon are carved solidly into my psyche) and the guides were real, funny and an energetic joy to trust our safety with.

After our adrenaline fix, we set out for nourishment in Nelson, with hopes of an afternoon mountain bike ride at the oft-lauded intermediate and beginner flow trail system at Morning Mountain. But Mother Nature had other plans for the day, and we ended up dodging downpours and lightning flashes inside downtown Nelson’s plethora of local outdoor gear, apparel, and other unique shops. We returned “home” to our lodge with bulging shopping bags instead of tired legs, but also happy to be free from our daily grind in such a pleasant place where the pace of life seems so much slower and sane. Thanks to a provisions stop at the Kootenay Co-op, we spent the evening’s inclement weather swilling wine and grilling local meat and veggies at the lodge’s outdoor kitchen while being serenaded by bird song and a chorus of croaking frogs.

Crawford Bay and Home

We woke the morning of our last day and departed from the official West Koot Route for our alternate course home through the Idaho Panhandle. In the community of Balfour, we lined up early at the Kootenay Lake Ferry for the free, 35-minute boat ride (the longest free ferry ride in the world). Our destination was the artisan community of Crawford Bay, BC, and while we waited to load the boat we watched bubbles whimsically floating past our windshield from a tie-died shirt and gift shop as ferry riders milled about engaged in casual conversation with just about everybody they encountered out of a vehicle or with an open window. Once we were on the ferry, we visited the snack stand for our ever-hungry child and wandered around the deck to watch the wind-blown water—which felt as wild and vast as an ocean crossing—catch sunbursts through clouds that lit up the endless mountain views.

Back on land, we drove the short distance into the village of Crawford Bay, a one-of-a-kind collection of artisan shops and homes that make up a community that feels like it’s lost in time, a living museum experience that may make you question the things you spend most of your work life doing. At the same time, the artisans who create their crafts out of roadside shops offer some sense of hope for the future. Maybe we can learn from the past that quality, handcrafted local goods are where it’s at.

Our first stop was the North Woven Broom Company that operates out of a historic log barn, where you can watch traditional brooms being made by hand. Our family had been reading the Harry Potter series out loud to each other for the past two years and was about to finish the final book while driving home later that day. It was, therefore, a surprise and auspicious timing to discover that this incredible broom shop was responsible for making brooms that were used by the Canadian publisher of the Harry Potter book series as props and prizes for book promotion events. They even sent one to the series author J.K. Rowling. We took some photos, chatted up the broom maker, awkwardly got him to sign our copy of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” and walked out of there with a small fortune of his authentic brooms for various family members and friends back home.

We continued down the road to the Forge and Furnace Gallery and Kootenay Forge, where we watched the blacksmith create metal hooks. We learned about how fabrics were once commonly made and watched traditional foot-powered loom weaving at Barefoot Weaving. Finally, we checked out the beautiful handiwork at Dog Patch Pottery. There’s also a jewelry shop, the acclaimed Black Salt Café, and other arts and crafts shops, which happened to be closed that day. In our era of instant Amazon gratification of cheaply-made, mass-produced crap, visiting Crawford Bay is a great reminder for adults, and an important lesson for kids, of how all of our basic necessities were once made.

We made one last stop as we meandered our way toward the border to check out a recommended roadside curiosity—the Glass House, which was built in the mid 1900s out of over half a million recycled embalming fluid bottles. Quirky, but cool, this place has a gift shop and optional tour of the structure.

Soon we reached the 49^th parallel with another quick and easy border crossing, this time back into the states. By this point in the trip, I could care less about all the things that had been vexing me when we began our adventure. Those stresses had been exorcised from my consciousness by the magical landscapes, friendly people, cool communities, and quality family time we experienced along the West Koot Route.

Derrick Knowles is the Publisher of Out There Venture. The trip featured in this story was partially sponsored by West Koot Route tourism partners.

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