I have always had an attraction to water.  There is something about water that creates a calming affect whether you are walking beside it, diving into it or floating on it.

I grew up in Cranbrook and even as a young person I couldn’t wait until the warm weather was here so we could spend our weekends at the beach. We have some amazing beaches from just a few minutes to half an hour or more from Cranbrook, including JimSmith Lake, Moyie Lake, Wasa Lake, Peckams Lake, St. Mary Lake and of course Lake Koocanusa. Great beaches to take the family.

Four years ago my family decided to try kayaking.  It became our new passion.  Every weekend we were exploring new lakes and rivers right in our own backyard.  JimSmith Lake is great for an evening paddle – where you can turtle watch and see  the pair of loons that return each year.

One of my favourites in the Moyie Narrows; it is a wonderful paddle under the old bridge and often we will continue on down the lake to check out the cool rock formations on the west side.

White Boar – it is a trip to get into, but well worth the drive. At the far end of the lake is a spectacular glacier that changes depending on what time of year you go.

The Kootenay River provides several day trip opportunities. We have paddled from Skookumchuk all the way to the Bailey Bridge on Lake Koocanusa – not all in one day, but it is a wonderful river to paddle with amazing scenery and I guarantee that no matter where you put in you will see at least one bald eagle along the way.  If whitewater adventure is more your style you can kayak or whitewater raft the St. Mary’s River or the Bull River.

If boating or water sports are what you like to do there is no better place than Moyie or Koocanusa for water skiing, wake boarding or jet skiing.

We have an abundance of lakes for fishing, canoeing and paddling – one of my favourite for fishing is Monroe Lake.  If you are not sure where to fish we have several companies who would be happy to take you on an amazing trip down the St. Mary’s River or one of the other rivers or lakes in our area.

Check out our website to find out more information on how you can splash here.

Cranbrook Tourism

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