Crawford Bay

History

Crawford Bay is located in the Creston Valley, near the eastern shore of beautiful Kootenay Lake, and is named after "White Man Jim" Crawford, a trapper and gold prospector who lived in the community until his death in 1914.

Location

Crawford Bay is located on Highway 3A near the eastern shore of beautiful Kootenay Lake, just 10 kilometres (6 miles) west of the eastern terminal from the Kootenay Lake Ferry at Kootenay Bay.

Places to See

• Kokanee Springs Golf Resort
  
  Kokanee Springs Golf Resort is one of Canada's finest championship 18 hole courses. This graceful track, considered by many to be the flagship of the Kootenay golf courses, resides 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.
  
  After an unforgettable golfing experience, the fabulous Kokanee Lodge offers a quiet mixture of casual elegance and relaxation for those desiring mountain-style peace and tranquility. Overlooking the 12th fairway are 56 luxury rooms, eight suites, sundecks, a hot tub, and a meeting room. For those wishing to dine, Bunker's Grill offers a sumptuous menu that is varied enough to tantalize and satisfy any golfer's appetite.
  
  
• Barefoot Handweaving
  
  Come hear the thumping of traditional wooden handlooms as the handweavers of Crawford Bay create colourful and unusual fabrics. The human pace of bare feet dancing on the treadles creates fabric that sings with contemporary colours and original patterns. People who come to watch become part of the design process.
  
  
• Breathless Glass
  
  Re-awaken wonderment as local artisans breathe life into molten glass!
  
  
• Fireworks Copper and Glass
  
  At Fireworks, glass powders are fired at 1600 degrees Farenheit onto pure copper to make brilliant jewellery, birds, scenic pieces, bowls, flowers, and dragonflies. Located at the Forge Furnace Gallery.
  
  
• Kootenay Forge
  
  Watch the blacksmiths forge hot iron! Kootenay Forge is Canada's leading producer of quality hand-forged home accessories. The extensive line of wrought-ironwork comprises bathroom and kitchen accessories, electric lighting, fireplace tools, coat stands and racks, plant accessories, candlesticks, and other functional and decorative items.
  
  
• North Woven Broom
  
  A visit to North Woven Broom offers you a step back in time. Visitors to the shop can watch while broom-makers Rob and Janet Schwieger carefully weave handcrafted brooms using antique broom-making equipment - producing beautiful and practical corn brooms. You can learn about this ancient craft and try out different styles of brooms.
  
  
• The Purple Door
  
  Unique hand-sculpted wizards, fine jewelry, gifts, and a varied selection of dresses and women's clothing. Come and experience a different and magical kind of shopping.
  
  
• Sunny Woods Farm Garden Centre
  
  Farm-fresh fruit and veggies, pet food and supplies, wine-making supplies, garden supplies, bedding plants, trees, shrubs, pots, planters, and great service. Have fun playing mini-golf. Children will enjoy the selection of summer toys.

Things to Do

• Camping
  
  The East Shore of Kootenay Lake offers many camping opportunities, from full service RV parks to rustic campsites. Some campgrounds have their own docks to tie up to and their own boat ramps, but wherever you are on the East Shore, you are not far from a place to launch your boat.
  
  
• 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 35lb 12oz Gerrard Rainbow trout, and the world's largest recorded Kokanee- 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. The water is crystal-clear and all the destination spots are garbage-free. A great place to come and relax.
  
  
• 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 2000 feet all the way up to 7,000 feet. The main season runs from December to April.

Events

• Canada Day Celebration
  
  July 1st: Come out to Crawford Bay Park for family fun, children's races and games, bingo, and food at old-fashioned prices. In the afternoon, take in the annual flower show in Boswell. Finish the day at dusk with an awesome show of fireworks at Crawford Bay beach.
  
  
• Crawford Bay Outdoor Market
  
  For a fun and entertaining day, come to Crawford Bay Park. The finest local entertainers will serenade you while you enjoy children's activities or peruse the market tables for fresh local produce, fine crafts, and refreshments. There's a jumping castle for the kids! Admission is free.
  
  
• Starbelly Jam Music Festival
  
  Starbelly Jam Music Festival is an outdoor musical extravaganza, held annually in Crawford Bay. The festival showcases musical talent from near and far. Many musical styles are featured, from folk and blues, reggae and world music, a bit of country or classical, and a touch of Celtic here and jazzy stuff there.
  
  This two-day event is all about fun and celebration; kids are very welcome at Starbelly and the event organizers go out of their way to give them a larger-than-life experience they won't soon forget. There are activities for kids, children's workshops, and of course, special entertainment. Let's not forget the giant parade: it's a colourful and noisy Starbelly tradition! There are also family workshops, a craft fair, and a variety of fabulous food booths.
  
  
• Kootenay Lake Fall Fair
  
  The Kootenay Lake Fall Fair has been an annual event in Crawford Bay for 96 years. Since 1911 this event has entertained residents and visitors alike with an agricultural exhibition that includes contests for the best baking, wine-making, preserves, floral arrangements, fruits and vegetables, arts, crafts, needlework and many more community activites. There are crafts, food, and other unique items that can be purchased and taken home. The Fall Fair provides families with a venue full of wholesome activities and competitions that are challenging and fun.

Contact Information

Kootenay Lake Chamber of Commerce

Box 120 Crawford Bay
British Columbia, Canada
V0B 1E0

E-mail: info@kootenaylake.bc.ca
Website: Kootenay Lake Visitor's Guide