Invermere BC is just 2 hours from Banff and is a super cute town with a lot to offer.
If you’re planning a trip to Invermere and looking for the best things to do in Invermere in the summer you get gorgeous weather in Invermere, wildlife sightings, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities.
If you’re looking for things to do in Invermere BC you might be surprised at just how many activities there are!
From fishing in the lakes, finding nearby hot springs, skiing, hiking, or tubing down the river, there are so many fun things to do in Invermere in summer and winter.
It’s the perfect destination for people looking for BC vacations or who are driving through on a Canadian Rockies or BC Hot Springs road trip.
Whether you’re visiting Invermere in the winter or the summer, here are some of the best things to do in Invermere, British Columbia.
Table of Contents
Best things to do in Invermere Canada
1. Swim at James Chabot Provincial Park on Windermere Lake
James Chabot Provincial Park on Windermere Lake is a day-use beach area with a lot of green space and nice warm(ish) water to swim in.
Boating, swimming, and paddleboarding are all popular activities on this lake. There are also some shaded areas so you can keep cool on the hottest days.
If you’re traveling with kids they’ll love the playground and you can set up a game of volleyball too.
2. Grab breakfast from Invermere Bakery
Invermere bakery is known for its delicious bread and pastries. It also has a beautiful patio area where you can fuel up on the goods you’ve bought before heading out for some fun activities in Invermere!
3. Circle Market and Cafe
We spend a few hours at Circle Market and Cafe taking a break and cooling off during our BC Hot Springs road trip.
It’s a super cute shop and cafe with a patio area outside. It sells lots of health food-type products and also has a re-filling station for soaps, lotions, and cleaning supplies which is awesome!
They do smoothies, sweet treats, and coffee and I’d highly recommend it.
4. Shop the Local Farmers Market
The Invermere Farmers Market takes place in the center of town every Saturday in summer.
You can find BC fruit, fresh lemonade, and gifts such as jewelry and wandering around here is one of my favorite things to do in Invermere BC in summer!
5. Bike the Markin MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail
The Markin MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail runs from Invermere to Fairmont Hot Springs and is a beautiful, wide, paved trail that’s ideal for biking, walking or running.
There are a few hills but nothing major and you’ll pass Lake Windermere and several picnic areas along the way.
6. Rent a paddle board or kayak and explore the Wetlands
Invermere is such a good place for getting out on your paddleboard or kayak or renting one and hitting the water and it’s one of our favorite Invermere activities.
You can paddle in Windermere Lake from the day-use area at James Chabot Provincial Park or explore the wetland.
You can rent through Columbia River Paddle as well as several other companies in the town.
7. Explore Downtown Invermere
Downtown Invermere is a cute town with some nice shops and art galleries. The ones along 7th Avenue are some of the best and you could easily spend a few hours wandering between them.
8. Go Golfing
There are a lot of places to go golfing in and around Invermere including the golf courses around Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont and the Greywolf Golf Course.
If you have kids who are into golfing then try Copper Pointe Golf Club as under 16s golf for free!
9. Day Trip to the Fairmont and the Fairmont Natural Hot Springs
Fairmont Hot Springs is just 20 minutes south of Invermere and it’s a fun resort town with plenty to do.
The main Fairmont attraction is the Hot Springs Resort where you can explore the paying hot springs in the resort, the Indigenous Bath House just up on the hill to the left as you enter the resort area, and the free, “secret” natural hot springs outside of the resort with a waterfall.
We visited the waterfall hot springs and they were beautiful, free, and just a short walk from the resort!
10. Visit Pothole Park
Pothole Park, so-called because it’s like a sinkhole below street level, became a community park in 2005.
Nowadays you can enjoy one of the numerous events that take place here in the summer or just enjoy hanging out in the park.
11. Explore Radium Hot Springs
Radium Hot Springs is a town just north of Invermere which is mostly known for the Radium Hot Springs that are owned by Parks Canada as part of Kootenay National Park.
The hot springs here are in a beautiful gorge area that is awesome if you’re driving through at sunset. You may also see some sheep in the surrounding hills!
The springs are some of the best hot springs in BC and though they’re more built up than some, they still remain pretty cheap at $8 per person.
The water in Radium hot springs is super clear and because of the red rock in the surrounding area, there’s no eggy sulfur smell which is pretty cool!
12. Go Mountain Biking
The best place for mountain biking in Invermere is Panorama Mountain Resort. The Panorama Bike Park has some green trails for beginners but is more skewed towards intermediate and expert riders.
They’re introducing more flowy trails these days but if you love some gnarly tech mountain biking, you’ll enjoy Panorama!
13. Craft Beer and Live Music at Arrowhead Brewing
Arrowhead Brewing Company opened in 2012 and is a cute brewery that feels like a proper pub! Inside there’s a mix of comfy sofas and tables and you might even hear some live music.
When we went there was a Celtic music band from Brazil playing who was great fun!
Arrowhead always has six permanent brews and some seasonal types as well as a few soft drinks.
There’s a large patio outside and a couple of food trucks outside too so you can get some snacks with your beer.
14. Take a day trip to Golden
Golden to Invermere is about a 1.5-hour drive and a day trip to Golden is well worth it.
Golden is another of BC’s best mountain towns and there are so many things to do in Golden; more than enough for a day trip!
Some of the highlights include visiting Kicking Horse Mountain, walking the Golden Skybridge, and getting burritos from Reposados.
15. Stay at Nipika Mountain Resort
Nipika Mountain Resort is a year-round adventure lodge that’s not far from downtown Invermere.
At the lodge, you can enjoy a trail network amongst the Kootenay and Cross River Valleys.
The trails are ideal for hiking, mountain biking, x-country skiing, snowshoeing, and kayaking!
You don’t have to stay there to enjoy the trails, but I’d recommend staying if you can!
16. Float the river from Invermere to Radium
One of the most popular things to do in Invermere, BC is to rent a canoe or kayak (or use your own) and float from Invermere to Radium, BC. The whole trip takes you through the wetlands and is picturesque!
If you’re renting you can have the company pick you up in Radium and take you back to Invermere. Or, if you’re with a group and have 2 cars you can arrange the shuttling yourselves.
Depending on the time of year and the level of the river, this trip will take you about 3-4 hours.
17. Go White Water Rafting with Kootenay River Runners
Kootenay River Runners has 3 locations in the Kootenays; Golden, Radium, and Toby Creek near Panorama. During your trip to Invermere, you have to go out with them!
We did the Radium Hot Springs river rafting where you go into Kootenay National Park and spend a couple of hours (or all day) rafting down the river.
Along the way, you see waterfalls near Invermere, and interesting rock formations, and will definitely have a laugh with their guides!
18. Hiking Invermere
Invermere has quite a few hiking options and they all have beautiful views. Some of the best hikes include The Johnson which is mostly a mountain biking area but gives you great views of the hoodoos and Toby Creek.
The Valley Loop is another nice trail that’s 5km long with minimal elevation and a mix of paved and unpaved trails if you’re looking to hike Invermere.
Another option for hiking near Invermere is to go up to Panorama Mountain Resort or out to Kootenay National Park.
AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.
19. Invermere Music Festival
Every August, the Invermere MusicFest takes place for an entire weekend. The festival brings in both International and Canadian talent and is held next to Windermere Lake. It’s a busy time in the town when the festival takes place and it’s a whole lot of fun.
20. Go Ziplining
Down towards the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is ziplining at Mineral Mountain. The ziplining tours are about 2 hours long and cost around $120 for adults. You’ll get to take on 6 lines and enjoy mountain and forest views at the same time!
You can also go ziplining on 7 zip lines over Dry Gulch Valley with Valley Zipline Adventures near Radium Hot Springs. Here there’s also a huge climbing wall and a jump tower if you need an even bigger adrenaline rush!
21. Taynton Bay Spirits
It’s quite surprising to find a distillery in such a small town, but there’s a distillery in Invermere.
Taynton Bay Spirits can be found across Canada but it’s right here in Invermere that you can taste their spirits where they’re made.
Take a distillery tour to learn about how they make their vodka, where they get the ingredients, and then have a chance to taste them!
Taynton is known for its flavoured vodkas which include ginger and matcha tea and raspberry. You’d never guess the raspberry is 40% alcohol!
22. Get Coffee at Kicking Horse Coffee
Kicking Horse Coffee’s flagship store is in Invermere!
They have a lovely cafe where you can sip a freshly roasted and brewed cup of coffee and you can pick up a bag here, or find it in stores across Canada.
23. Visit Kootenay National Park
Invermere sits on the border of Kootenay National Park which is a beautiful area with relatively few visitors.
You’ll need a Canada Parks Pass to enter which can be bought online in advance or in Radium.
Some of the best places to visit in Kootenay National Park are the Paint Pots or going backcountry camping on the Rockwall Trail to Floe Lake. You can also see the Continental Divide line where water goes one way to the Atlantic and the other to the Pacific!
24. Soar Above the Mountains
The Invermere Soaring Centre is a unique thing to do in Invermere.
Here you get the chance to go for a ride above the mountains and witness the real beauty of BC from above.
25. Book a wakeboarding or tubing tour
If you don’t want to drive your own boat on the lakes, you can book a tour so someone else can take the wheel while you go wakeboarding or tubing behind the boat!
It’s a super fun way to get out on the water and try out this fun sport.
Shadybrook Resort is one of the best places to get boat rentals in Invermere for this as the drivers are also wakeboarding coaches so can offer some advice and tips.
Plus, it’s just a 10-minute drive away from Invermere.
26. Visit Lussier Hot Springs
Lussier Creek hot springs are very different from those at Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs. They’re not developed in the same way and are more like natural hot springs.
They feature on my list of BC’s best hot springs and are worth traveling out to.
They’re around an hour’s drive from Invermere and you should have an AWD with high clearance or 4×4 to get there since you’re going down a dirt road for the majority of the drive. You’ll then take a short hike down to the hot springs.
Once you’ve arrived you’ll find springs right next to the river!
The upper pool is the warmest and as you. work your way down they get cooler bit by bit. There’s the river too for a cold plunge should you feel like it!
27. Rent a Boat and Tour Lake Windermere
Renting a boat and going out onto Lake Windermere is a super fun activity to do in Invermere in the summer.
You can also rent seadoos or pontoon boats.
Pete’s Marina right on Lake Windermere is a great place to rent from with prices starting at $250 for a seadoo for 2 hours.
28. Skate the Longest Ice Skating Path in the World!
Come winter Lake Windermere completely freezes over and becomes the longest ice skating path in the world! It’s a must when it comes to what to do in Invermere in the winter.
The track is 34km long and there are 4 different loops so you can pick and choose a distance that suits you. The loops range from 5-12km.
There’s also a separate path for x-country skiers and parts of the lake that are best suited to fat bikes.
While it’s free to skate on the lake, it’s recommended you donate $5 for maintenance of the trails which is done by the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club.
You can bring your own skates or rent from Inside Edge Boutique and Sports in Invermere and then hit the Lake Windermere Whiteway trail!
Another option for ice skating is the Lake Lillian Whiteway which is a super fun place to go if you’re looking for things to do in Invermere in winter.
29. Get BBQ Meat
One of the best restaurants in Invermere and places to eat in Invermere is Smokehouse 93 which is on the highway.
It’s a small restaurant that serves amazing meat from brisket to chicken and ribs. If you’re a meat eater you’ll love it!
30. Twin Lakes Cliff Jumping
If you are brave enough to cliff jump or just want to watch others do it while you cool down by the lake, Twin Lakes is the spot to go!
Known locally as “Bottomless Lake” and Windermere Wells recreation site, these super refreshing pools are popular with cliff jumpers.
The lake is surrounded by trees and cliffs of varying heights and is a 5-minute walk from where you can park along Westroc Mine Road.
You’ll need an AWD with good clearance of a 4×4 to make it out there but it’s a super cool thing to do in Invermere.
31. Kinsmen Beach Invermere
A great beach in Invermere is Kinsmen Beach which has sand that’s hauled in in the summer to make a soft beach for people to relax at.
While relaxing you’ll be able to soak up the views of both The Rockies and the Purcell Mountains.
The area has jumping rafts, water slides, a concession stand, washrooms, and a splash park making it great for kids and families. There’s even an air compressor to blow up your inflatables for you!
This Invermere beach gets busy so go early or late if you’re planning on visiting to get a spot to park.
32. Go Fishing in Invermere
If you don’t have a boat you can still go fishing in Invermere off the public boat launch.
Otherwise, you can take your own boat out on Windermere Lake or rent a fishing boat from Pete’s Marina and see what you find!
33. Visit the Hoodoos
There are quite a few hoodoos in and around BC with some over in Kamloops as well as the ones in Banff National Park in Alberta.
These hoodoos near Invermere are closer to Fairmont Hot Springs and are probably the most impressive of the lot and can be seen both from the road as well as by hiking out to them.
If you’re driving along Highway 93/95 you can pull off into the bays to view the hoodoos and check out these cool natural formations which make a fun idea on a list of Invermere BC things to do.
If you want to get closer, take the Hoodoo Trail which is a 3km trail that gives you awesome views of not only the hoodoos but the surrounding area.
34. Go Skiing at Panorama Invermere
Panorama Mountain Resort is an awesome ski resort in BC with 139 runs which is plenty to keep you entertained for several days.
The runs are typically wider and fairly empty making it great for beginners, but there’s also a large number of black diamond runs with the Taynton Bowl being a favorite of locals and visitors alike.
If you’re more of a Nordic skier, there are also plenty of cross country skiing trails at Panorama Resort too.
35. Visit the Windermere Valley Museum
The Windermere Valley Museum captures the rich history of the Windermere Valley. This museum transports you back in time to show the region’s pioneering spirit, First Nations heritage, and the growth of the local communities.
This is one of the best things to do in Windermere BC, especially if the weather is not cooperating.
The museum is in the original school buildings and is full of artifacts, photographs, and stories that trace the valley’s development.
You can also explore recreated historical settings, like pioneer kitchens, and discover tales of early settlers.
It’s a fun place to go near Invermere, especially if you’re looking for things to do in Invermere on a rainy day.
Where to stay in Invermere
If you’re looking for places to stay in Invermere below are some of the top hotels in Invermere to suit a range of budgets as well as some information on Invermere camping.
- $$$ – Copper Point Resort: One of the most luxurious hotels in Invermere, Copper Point Resort has a golf course and rooms with balconies or patios overlooking the greens. There is both an indoor and outdoor pool and an on-site restaurant.
- $$ – The Kanata Inns Invermere: Just off Highway 95, the Kanata Inns Invermere hotel includes breakfast, a hot tub, and laundry facilities for guests. It’s well situated for getting to Panorama Mountain Resort and Kootenay National Park.
- $ – YPC Fitness & Accommodations: This 1-bed apartment sleeps 4 and you get the whole place to yourselves with your own kitchen and access to a fitness center. You’re just 9 minute walk from the beach so ideal for chilling out in summer in Invermere.
Camping Invermere
There’s limited camping in Invermere BC itself, but there are a number of options from privately owned campgrounds to provincial parks in the surrounding towns.
- Dry Gulch Provincial Park: Owned by BC Parks this books up quickly so you should reserve online in advance.
- Canyon RV Resort, Radium Hot Springs
- Fairmont Hot Springs Resort
How to get to Invermere
Invermere is in Eastern BC pretty close to the Alberta – BC border and situated just west of Kootenay National Park with the Rockies, and east of the Purcell Mountain Range.
To drive from Calgary to Invermere takes around 3 hours, and from Vancouver to Invermere it’s about 9 hours.
I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!
You can also fly to Invermere from Vancouver with WestJet and Air Canada.
Flights cost around $300 and take about 1.5 hours.
Skyscanner is what I use to find cheap flights.
FAQs about the best Invermere things to do
What is Invermere known for?
Invermere is known for its beautiful scenery between the Rockies and the Purcell Mountains, and its location on the shores of Lake Windermere.
How far is Invermere from Radium?
Invermere is approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of Radium Hot Springs. The drive between the two towns along Highway 93/95 takes about 15 minutes.
Can you swim in Invermere Lake?
Yes, you can swim in Lake Windermere, often referred to as Invermere Lake. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists, known for its relatively warm waters and sandy beaches.
What to do on a rainy day in Invermere?
For things to do Invermere on a rainy day, you can explore local art galleries, visit the Windermere Valley Museum, indulge in local cafes and eateries, or relax in nearby natural hot springs.
Final thoughts on these fun things to do around Invermere British Columbia
This guide to what to do in Invermere BC has included loads of fun ideas of things to do in the town, as well as things to do in Columbia Valley.
If you’re sticking around in the area and looking for more things to do in the Canadian Rockies, be sure to check out these guides to things to do in Golden, what to do in Fernie BC, this guide to the best things to do in Kaslo, and what to do in Nelson BC.
Canada Travel Planning Guide
Should I buy Canada travel insurance?
100% YES! — You should have travel insurance for all your trips. Though Canada has “free” healthcare, it’s only for residents. If you’re just visiting, you’ll need travel insurance should you need medical care. It also helps you claim for delayed flights or lost/stolen baggage. We use SafetyWing for our travel insurance!
Is it safe to rent a car in Canada?
Yes — Renting a car is a good idea in most of Canada as public transit isn’t the best!
Car hire is usually quite reasonable, especially compared to some other countries and they’ll all be automatic so you shouldn’t have a problem driving it if you’re used to manual transmission.
I personally use a mix of DiscoverCars and RentalCars to find the best deal that works for me when I rent a car. I used them in Norway, Italy, and Canada when we first moved, and have never had an issue. For RV rental I recommend Outdoorsy.
What’s the best way to pay/exchange money for Canada?
Wise (formerly Transferwise!) — I use my Wise card everywhere these days. I fill it with a certain currency and then I can spend it in countries across the world, online and even for direct debits. Wise has the best currency exchange rates (and they’ll even tell you when you can get it cheaper elsewhere!). When you pay in another currency through chip and pin or tap/wireless, they’ll automatically convert it for you – it’s easy! This link gets you a fee-free transfer.
Do I need a visa for Canada?
Many countries do not need a visa to travel to Canada — However, you may need an ETA which costs $7 (you need this if you’re from the UK). You can buy them online and they usually take a few hours to come through though it can take longer. Only ever buy from this official website otherwise you’ll end up paying more money necessarily. If you want to move to Canada, check out my guide to the Working Holiday Visa which is how we first moved there! Always check the official Canadian Immigration website to see whether you need a visa to travel there.
Will my phone work in Canada?
It depends — Some American and European companies work in Canada for a certain amount of data or time but many will not work at all. Getting a Canadian SIM card will help you get around with Google Maps and stay in touch with people back home. There isn’t much free WIFI in Canada so you can’t really rely on that, especially if you’re heading outside of major cities.
Where can I book my Canada accommodation?
I always check Booking.com for hotels or Hostel World for hostels. If I’m looking for something for a bigger group of people, or a bit more unique (cosy cabins, luxury beach houses) then I use VRBO.
When we first moved to Canada we used Trusted Housesitters to get free accommodation!
What’s the best site to buy Canada flights?
I only ever use Skyscanner to find cheap flights no matter where I’m travelling!
Last Updated on September 6, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.
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