Places You’ve Probably Never Heard of in BC

Note: This story was originally published in 2021.

Discover the British Columbia that’s hiding in plain sight.

You may think you know British Columbia. But there is always something new to discover here, experiences so thrilling you just can’t wait to tell your friends back home. A mountain trail that leads to the most heart-stoppingly scenic peak. A bike route that soars along breathtaking canyons. Historic towns with charming shops, gourmet eats, and world-class wineries. Yep, BC has got it all.

And oftentimes the best, most exclusive experiences can be found off the well-trodden track. So be open to more by discovering the British Columbia even the locals don’t always know. Find it in these regions that are just waiting for you to explore.

Outside the urban centres, there’s plenty of family-friendly fun to be had on the farm. Go apple picking in September and, in October, visit the pumpkin patches at Taves Family Farms, Willow View Farms, and Maan Farms.

Among the valley’s most famous crops is hops, and this is an excellent place to enjoy a pint of the best. Follow the BC Ale Trail to exceptional breweries, brewpubs, and tasting rooms like Trading Post Tap House & Eatery in Fort Langley, the Indigenous-owned Ravens Brewing in Abbotsford or, in Chilliwack, Farmhouse Brewing. One good place to sample all that’s brewing here is Langley’s brand-new tap room, The Barley Merchant.

This is also wine country, with a number of wineries tucked in Langley’s rolling hills. Among them is Township 7, whose sparkling wine is considered among the world’s best, Backyard Vineyards, Chaberton Estate Winery, the new fruit winery Sinocan, and Vista D’oro, which is equally famous for its inventive preserves.

Where to stay:
One of the easiest ways to get to the Fraser Valley is to take a flight from Calgary or Edmonton to Abbotsford International Airport. For overnights, consider the cute Princess and the Pea B&B in Langley, Abbotsford’s Brookside Inn, with its exquisite small property with epic breakfasts and movie-themed guest rooms, or the vintage touches, including claw-foot tubs, at The Royal Hotel in Chilliwack.

For a deeper dive into the mining and other history of the region, step into the past at the Snaza’ist Discovery Centre, operated by the Upper Similkameen Indian Band. And if rugged outdoor adventure is more your thing, Cathedral Provincial Park is a place of jagged mountain peaks, crystal-clear lakes, the rustic Cathedral Lakes Lodge and, in fall, the brilliant colours of changing leaves.

Where to stay:
Outside of RV parks, accommodation here is mainly in guest houses attached to farms and wineries, such as the ones at Crowsnest Vineyards, Orofino Vineyards, and Rustic Roots Organic Winery and Cidery.

In the 1990s, the railway was transformed into the multi-use Kettle Valley Rail Trail, which stretches from Hope to Castelgar, with some of its most scenic stretches in Boundary Country. It is part of some 2,000 kilometres of trails to explore here—including the Trans-Canada Trail—so bring your hiking boots and your mountain bike.

If you’re not on a trail, you’ll want to get out on the water. Several rivers run through the region, but the 290-kilometre-long Kettle River offers the best options for floating, paddling, and fishing, especially drift fishing by pontoon boat. Meanwhile, the deep, warm Christina Lake is a paradise for boaters, paddlers, and swimmers alike.

Afterwards, pop into one of the nearby towns for a bite to eat and a taste of culture—check out Gallery 2 in Grand Forks or the Kettle River Museum in Midway.

Where to stay:
This area is popular for campers and RV-ers, but for those seeking something different, Second Breakfast Hideaway is a hobbit-house-like earth dwelling east of Osoyoos, while the Old Cowboy Ranch near Rock Creek is a working ranch with easy access to the Rail Trail.

Nature is also civilized here. There are great golf courses, hot springs, breweries such as Erie Creek Brewing Company in Salmo, Tailout Brewing in Castlegar, and the Trail Beer Refinery, as well as a growing number of wineries in the Creston area, including Baillie Grohman, Skimmerhorn, and Red Bird Estate.

Communities like Nelson and Kaslo charm with their 19th century downtowns and heritage homes, courtesy of the region’s mining boom. The Indigenous culture of the Kootenays is also celebrated through tours, attractions, and interpretative centres. Among them: Legend Logos & Lake Tours near Creston; Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre at St. Eugene, a golf resort near Cranbrook; and Ainsworth Hot Springs, which is owned by the Lower Kootenay Band, members of the Ktunaxa Nation.

Where to stay:
In Nelson, the historic Hume Hotel couldn’t be more conveniently located. Or head to the hills and check out Copper Point Resort in Invermere, Northstar Mountain Village and Mountain Spirit in Kimberley, or Fairmont Hot Springs farther north.