Castlegar

Travel Guide

Castlegar showing a river or creek
Castlegar featuring a lake or waterhole
Castlegar featuring a garden
Castlegar showing a statue or sculpture and outdoor art
Castlegar featuring street scenes and a statue or sculpture
Once a settlement for Russian immigrants, this mountain town at the confluence of two rivers features hiking trails, bike paths and gorgeous river valley views.

From its location in a river valley amid the Selkirk Mountains, Castlegar offers easy access to the low mountains near the border between British Columbia and the United States. Trailheads begin from the town and provincial parks lie a short drive away. Before heading out into the wilderness, explore the small town to learn about its long heritage as a settlement for the Doukhobors, a group of 19th-century Russian religious immigrants.

Castlegar lies next to the point at which the Columbia River intersects the Kootenay River. Take a 2-mile (3-kilometer) hike up to Brilliant Overlook to view the spectacular twin river valley from above. Along the way, look for moose and elk, common throughout the Castlegar countryside.

Rent a bike to see more of the surrounding countryside. Castlegar was incorporated as a railroad town in the mid-20th century. Today, many of the old railroad tracks serve as bike trails. Ride the Columbia and Western Railway Trail, which gradually rises to the valley’s western summit. Along the way, pass through tunnels, including the 2,950-foot (900-meter) curve of the Bulldog Tunnel.

While Castlegar wasn’t established as a town until 1966, it had served as the site of a Doukhobor settlement for many years beforehand. This history is on display at the Doukhobor Discovery Center, which features more than 1,000 artifacts from this Russian immigrant group, including tools and works of art. The Castlegar Museum has more recent artifacts from the town’s history, including a large newspaper archive.

Drive into the Castlegar countryside to find several nature parks, including Syringa Creek Provincial Park. This site, located a 25-minute drive west of town, lies along Arrow Lake, a massive mountain lake stretching all the way into Glacier National Park. Hike the Yellow Pine Nature Trail to reach a hillside overlooking the lake.

Fly from Vancouver or drive 8 hours east to reach Castlegar. The small town is a perfect steppingstone to national parks like Banff and Glacier.

Sandman Hotel Castlegar
Sandman Hotel Castlegar
2.5 out of 5
1944 Columbia Ave, Castlegar, BC
The price is ¥12,074 per night from Jul 18 to Jul 19
¥12,074
¥14,110 total
Jul 18 - Jul 19
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Castlegar. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,018 reviews)
"Pros-nicely renoed room. Spacious and quiet. Had everything needed. Cons- view on pool made it quite dark in the room"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Sandman Hotel Castlegar
Super 8 by Wyndham Castlegar BC
Super 8 by Wyndham Castlegar BC
2 out of 5
651 18th Street, Castlegar, BC
The price is ¥11,717 per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
¥11,717
¥13,474 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Castlegar. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,008 reviews)
"Breakfast was very minimal. Short staffed so food kept running out"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Super 8 by Wyndham Castlegar BC
SureStay Hotel by Best Western Castlegar
SureStay Hotel by Best Western Castlegar
2.5 out of 5
1810 8th Avenue, Castlegar, BC
The price is ¥12,694 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
¥12,694
¥14,598 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Castlegar. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (832 reviews)
"Kitchenette was so small"

Reviewed on Jun 25, 2025

SureStay Hotel by Best Western Castlegar
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sentinel Mountain view Flat, outdoor activities & parks right at your doorstep
Sentinel Mountain view Flat, outdoor activities & parks right at your doorstep
Castlegar
Stay at this apartment in Castlegar. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Stephenville Square and Spirit Square ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (29 reviews)
"Quite new suite, very nice and clean.Host Stefan is very responsive and kind. Very interested in making sure that we had everything."

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025

Sentinel Mountain view Flat, outdoor activities & parks right at your doorstep
Spacious cabin with fireplace, full kitchen, gas grill, patio, balcony, & W/D
Spacious cabin with fireplace, full kitchen, gas grill, patio, balcony, & W/D
Christina Lake
Stay at this cabin in Christina Lake. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Christina Lake Provincial Park and Christina ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (50 reviews)
Nice Place
"Very nice place and area. Painful to communicate with property management."

Reviewed on Mar 31, 2025

Spacious cabin with fireplace, full kitchen, gas grill, patio, balcony, & W/D
Cozy Retreat Chalet with Loft Bedroom & Fireplace – Near Nelson & Ski Hills
Cozy Retreat Chalet with Loft Bedroom & Fireplace – Near Nelson & Ski Hills
Nelson
Stay at this vacation home in Taghum. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Crescent Valley Beach and Shoreacres Beach are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
One of our fave stays ever!
"The photos really don’t even do this place justice — it is the absolute perfect destination for a peaceful getaway from the chaos of daily life. Sitting on the deck for hours and watching the sun set on the mountains was a highlight. Having the downstairs TV area was great to hangout after the sun ..."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Cozy Retreat Chalet with Loft Bedroom & Fireplace – Near Nelson & Ski Hills
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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