Boswell

• Lodging in this community
• Camping in this community 

History

Boswell has been farmed for over 100 years. The early settlers for the most part came from England and Scotland. There were many homesteads because of the temperate climate, and fruit-growing became the major industry. There were no roads at the time and everything was shipped in by paddlewheeler. With the abundance of fruit and the slow access to the markets, the community decided to build a jam factory to process the more perishable fruit, while apples and cherries were shipped to the US and other areas.

As time passed and the road was built, people moved to other areas, where different industries flourished. Gone were the paddlewheeler, jam factory, and the farms. Boswell evolved into a quiet retirement community that stretched along the lake. Since then, Boswell has become a tourist haven due to the nearness of the lake, the mild climate, and small population.

Location

Boswell is located on Highway 3A on the eastern shore of Kootenay Lake, 38 km (24 mi) south of the eastern terminal of the Kootenay Lake Ferry at Kootenay Bay, and 44 km (28 mi) north of Creston.

Places to See

• Arrowsmith Gallery

The Arrowsmith Gallery proudly displays sculptures by Beth Penny and works by other local artists.

• The Glass House

The famous Glass House in Boswell features half a million empty embalming fluid bottles used to build a curiously beautiful house. The house was begun in 1952 when the late David H. Brown retired from thirty five years in the funeral business. Starting the house "to indulge a whim of a peculiar nature", the retired undertaker travelled western Canada collecting bottles from friends in the funeral profession to add to his own collection, until he had acquired half a million of the square shaped bottles, weighing 250 tons in all. The Glass House was meant to the Brown's home, but the project attracted the curiosity of passers-by from the start. Finally, suffering from a complete lack of privacy, he employed a staff and allowed curious visitors to view his masterpiece.

• Lockhart Beach Provincial Park

Located 40 km (25 mi) north of Creston on Highway 3A, Lockhart Creek Provincial Park extends from the sunny shores of Kootenay Lake to the headwaters of Lockhart Creek. This small park provides the only easy access to public camping along the south arm of Kootenay Lake. An 18-site campground and day use area are located near a sand and fine gravel beach where visitors can relax and enjoy the clear waters of Kootenay Lake.

Things to Do

• Golfing

Kokanee Springs Golf Resort is one of Canada's finest championship 18-hole courses. It is considered by many to be the flagship of the Kootenay golf courses, residing in a magnificent mountain setting on Kootenay Lake. Every hole is framed by spectacular panoramic views of the Kokanee Glacier and the surrounding area. Kokanee Springs is a Norman Woods original, characterized by its long driving fairways, immense rolling greens, immaculate course upkeep, and ability to interest and challenge golfers at all levels.

• Fishing

Year-round fishing is available at Kootenay Lake, where visitors can catch three varieties of trout (Gerrard rainbow, Dolly Varden, and Kokanee) and whitefish. The lake's largest catch is a 35 lb 12oz Gerrard Rainbow trout, and the world's largest recorded Kokanee at almost 10 pounds was caught here. The Kootenay area also has many creeks, small lakes, and rivers to challenge any skill level.

• Hiking

The West Kootenay region contains over 80 hiking trails, all of which provide hikers with spectacular mountain scenery, breathtaking glaciers, alpine lakes, flower-strewn meadows, and incredible wildlife.

• Kayaking and Canoeing

Kayaking and canoeing offer an opportunity for a unique and timeless experience. Four and five-day kayak trips can be planned and plotted out using maps of the area or you can take several daytrips, staying in any of the accommodations available. The area is full of wonderful sights, historical treasures, and great places to explore. 

• Snowmobiling

Miles of unmarked powder are characteristic of the ungroomed trails in the area. With mild temperatures, an average of 10 to 15 feet of fabulous snow, and breathtaking scenery, the ride is always a thrill. A wide variety of terrain provides a memorable experience for all riders, from the novice to the expert, and even those looking for "extreme snowmobiling". If you're looking for an uncommon experience and like to make new tracks in new snow, make this area a priority for your next trip. The elevations run from about 2,000 feet all the way up to 7,000 feet. The main season runs from December to April.

Nearby Communities

Contact Information

Kootenay Lake Chamber of Commerce
Box 120
Crawford Bay BC V0B 1E0
E-mail: info@kootenaylake.bc.ca
Website: Kootenay Lake Visitor's Guide