We loved visiting Kaslo on our Kootenay Road trip.
The town sits along the western edge of Kootenay Lake and has such a relaxing, peaceful vibe. There are super cute buildings and there are also lots of things to do in Kaslo BC!
If you’re nearby or staying in Nelson, you should definitely make the trip up to Kaslo BC to experience this cute BC mountain town.
Nelson to Kaslo is about an hour’s drive and the town of Kaslo overlooks the Purcell Mountains with the Selkirk mountain range behind it.
There are nearby hot springs, mountain towns, the beautiful Kootenay Lake and plenty of adventures to be had.
Table of Contents
The Best Things to do in Kaslo BC
Kaslo is a small town with a population of just over 1,000 but there are still plenty of things to do in Kaslo!
1. Learn Some BC History at the Japanese Canadian Museum
I had no idea of Canada’s history when it came to Japan and the Japanese internment camps that were set up around the province, including right here in Kaslo, during WWII. It’s a sad history but interesting nonetheless and the Japanese Canadian museum in Kaslo tells the stories of some of those who were forced to abandon everything they’d worked for.
2. Walk the Riverside Trail
Kaslo’s Riverside Trail is absolutely beautiful and great for all ages. The trail starts just outside of downtown Kaslo and you’ll cross over a beautiful covered bridge that the community came together to build with help from donations coming in from all over the world!
As you walk alongside the river, you’ll find some peek-a-boo statues in the forest before crossing over again and making your way back to the starting point.
The Riverside Trail is accessible in summer and winter, there are mountain biking trails too and it’s truly one of the best things to do in Kaslo!
3. Explore Kaslo by Bike
We saw plenty of mountain bikers coming into Kaslo and there are some great trails nearby. For something easier and more family-friendly, head towards the Riverside Trail for some greens and blues and an easy skills park.
For harder trails, take Branch 7 FSR road to the north of the town. As always, use Trailforks for your mountain biking mapping needs!
4. Hang Out by the Lake
We’d been driving around in over 36C heat without A/C for a while by the time we made it to Kaslo and so sitting by the Kootenay Lake at the beach just off of Front Street with a cool breeze was the best!
There’s a little protected swimming area here too and the views are gorgeous!
5. Soak in Ainsworth Hot Springs
A short drive south from Kaslo is Ainsworth Hot Springs which is a super cool hot springs resort. These hot springs are unique from some of the other BC hot springs as there’s a cave area that you can go into too.
These hot springs were first visited by the Ktunaxa First Nations peoples who embraced the hot mineral waters for their healing and rejuvenating powers. Nowadays the resort is owned by Yaqan Nukiy, the Lower Kootenay Band of Creston, BC.
Currently, you need to reserve your pool time in advance which can be done online. Tickets cost $18 for adults but if you’re a guest of the hotel you can soak for free.
6. Visit Fletcher Falls
Fletcher Falls is a magnificent 50ft waterfall just south of Kaslo. It’s also a free tent camping area where you can camp right next to the lake!
Follow the signs off the highway to Fletcher Falls and park up in the pullout.
Then look to the left of the intersection you just drove in on and there’s a small trail heading into the forest and downhill.
The walk down is short and you’ll get your first few glimpses of the falls on the way.
Be careful if walking on the rocks to get closer to the falls as they’re super slippery!
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.
7. Attend the Kaslo Jazz Festival
The Kaslo Jazz Festival is an annual event that takes place every July and sees Jazz musicians and fans flock to Kaslo.
The festival has been running since 1922 and takes place on the shore of Kootenay Lake with a floating stage!
It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Kaslo in the summer!
8. Day Trip to Nelson BC
Nelson BC is one of the largest towns in this part of the province. It’s a fun city with a young crowd, lots of hiking, mountain biking, skiing and great food!
There are so many fun things to do in Nelson that you could easily spend a few days there.
9. Experience the Kaslo Winter in the Forest Festival
In February, the Winter in the Forest Festival comes to Kaslo. It’s great fun for all ages and is a celebration of winter with woodsman sports, fun competitions, x-country skiing, and more.
10. Go Hiking in Kaslo
Besides the Riverside Trail, there are plenty of awesome hikes in Kaslo. The Wardner Lookout Trail gives you amazing views of Kootenay Lake, and the Loki-Baldur Trail is the one to do if you’re a strong hiker looking for a challenge.
You’ll need to get the ferry across the lake (which is stunning), and then climb up the steep trail and into the alpine before reaching the summit.
11. Enjoy the Heritage Buildings
It’s not just the surroundings, the town of Kaslo itself is beautiful too. The heritage, frontier town buildings have been well kept and offer a flashback to a different way of life.
12. Ride the Kootenay Lake Ferry
The Kootenay Lake Ferry is the world’s longest free ferry and riding it across the lake is beautiful!
We accidentally took the crossing at sunset and it was beautiful to watch the colors change across the sky as the sun dipped behind the mountains.
If you’re crossing over to the east from Kaslo then drive down to Lockheart Provincial Park which has a beautiful beach area and camping which would be perfect for a weekend trip from Nelson or Kaslo!
13. Explore Kaslo Restaurants!
I was surprised at how many good restaurants there appeared to be in Kaslo! Two of the best are detailed below.
- The Bluebelle Bistro in Kaslo serves delicious comfort food elevated. Their menu has dahls and burgers and the bistro does a tasty breakfast too with menu items such as breakfast burritos and eggs benny.
- The Treehouse Restaurant also gets great reviews and has similar menu options plus a large outdoor patio area.
14. Learn about the S.S Moyie
Right in the center of Kaslo is a huge boat parked up.
It’s the S.S Moyie which is a national historical site and the oldest intact passenger sternwheeler in the world.
The Moyie plied Kootenay Lake for 59 years carrying railway passengers.
Nowadays she sits in Kaslo and recently had massive refurbishment to restore her to her former glory.
Now you can take a tour of this impressive boat and see how luxurious it was in its heyday.
Where to stay in Kaslo BC
There aren’t many hotels in Kaslo itself but there is a good campground and a couple of hotels near Kaslo. Otherwise, stay in Nelson and make the day trip up here.
- The Sentinel: The Sentinel is a retreat center in a gorgeous forested location off the highway. There’s a beautiful hot tub overlooking the lake and you’ll leave feeling refreshed and at peace.
- Kaslo Municipal Campground: Serviced and unserviced sites from $30 a night right next to the lake.
- Ainsworth Hot Springs Hotel: Stay right next to the hot springs and enjoy free bathing when you stay at the hot springs hotel.
How to get to Kaslo British Columbia
Here’s how you can get to Kaslo, BC from some nearby major cities in BC and Alberta, including estimated driving times and distances:
- From Vancouver, BC to Kaslo, BC: Take BC-1 E and BC-3A E. Vancouver to Kalso is around 660 km and takes about 8 hours.
- From Kelowna, BC to Kaslo, BC: Take BC-97 N to Vernon, then BC-6 W through Lumby, Nakusp, and then onto BC-31A to Kaslo. This journey is around 370 km and takes about 5.5 hours.
- From Calgary, AB to Kaslo, BC is around600 km and takes about 7.5 hours. Take Trans-Canada Hwy/AB-1 W to Golden, then BC-95 S through Radium Hot Springs, turn at Canal Flats onto BC-93/95 S, then BC-3A W through Creston and onto Kaslo.
- From Edmonton, AB to Kaslo, BC: Take AB-2 S, then Trans-Canada Hwy/AB-1 W to Golden, follow BC-95 S, then BC-3A W to Kaslo. This is around 860 km and takes about 10.5 hours.
- From Nelson, BC to Kaslo, BC: Take BC-3A N directly to Kaslo, the distance is about 70 km and takes around 1 hour.
Please note that driving times and distances are estimates and can vary based on driving conditions, stops, and the specific routes taken.
It’s always a good idea to check for real-time traffic updates and road conditions on Drive BC before embarking on a trip.
FAQs about what to do in Kaslo BC
What is Kaslo, BC known for?
Kaslo, BC is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, preserved Victorian buildings, and as host to the annual Kaslo Jazz Etc. Summer Music Festival. Its location by Kootenay Lake and rich mining history also make it a unique tourist destination.
What is the history of Kaslo, BC?
Kaslo’s history dates back to the silver boom of the 1890s. Established as a key service center for the surrounding mining towns, it boasts several preserved heritage buildings. The SS Moyie, the world’s oldest intact passenger sternwheeler, is also in Kaslo.
What mountain range is Kaslo, BC in?
Kaslo is in the Selkirk Mountain Range, which is a segment of the larger Columbia Mountains.
How big is Kaslo?
Kaslo is a small village located on the west shore of Kootenay Lake. Covering an area of 3.04 square kilometers.
Final thoughts on the best Kaslo BC things to do
Kaslo, BC is a special spot surrounded by mountains and the beautiful Kootenay Lake.
It’s a small town full of history and special places to visit like the SS Moyie, and fun events like the Kaslo Jazz music festival.
It’s a mix of old and new, with lots of things to see and do as this list of the best Kaslo things to do has shown.
If you’re visiting Kaslo as part of a longer BC road trip, be sure to check out these things to do in Fernie, and what to do in Creston BC as well as these things to do in Kimberley, which are other cool towns that aren’t too far away.
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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