By Brian Lawrence
When you find yourself in the Creston Valley, it's almost inevitable that you'll feel the urge to immerse yourself in the natural beauty that the area has to offer. The good news is that this region boasts a diverse range of parks to do just that! From in town parks ideal for leisurely picnics with the kids to rural community ones perfect for hosting memorable family reunions on to picturesque public beaches or provincial parks featuring awe-inspiring mountain trails, there is a park in the Creston Valley to suit everyone. Read on to learn a bit more!
Creston's In-Town Parks
Within the municipal boundaries of Creston, you can find a variety of well-kept parks, each with distinctive features and amenities. While all the parks are worth exploring, here are some of our top picks!
Centennial Park: Shaded by towering cedar trees, this park features a fantastic playground and splash park, extensive green areas, shaded picnic spots, and restroom facilities, making it a perfect spot for families looking to let their children play freely. With basketball courts, baseball and soccer fields, and outdoor fitness equipment, there are also activities suitable for visitors of all ages!
Millennium Park: A short walk away from downtown and ʔak̓uǂni Market Park along a paved walking path, Millennium Park is centrally located and features public washrooms, green space, a fountain, amphitheatre and Japanese garden. During the summer, the park's covered bandstand is a venue for entertainment such as concerts, movies, and theatrical performances. On the north side of the is also a spacious parking area for RVs that includes a free water filling station and RV sani-dump.
Dodd’s Creek Park: Just a hop and a skip across the train tracks from Millennium Park will bring you to this other downtown park, which is home to Creston's only fenced dog park, a BMX bike jump track, more outdoor exercise equipment and a paved trail leading along the creek beneath massive weeping willow trees.
Creston and District Community Complex: While the indoor aquatic and fitness facilities are top-notch, outdoor grounds boast amazing recreation opportunities too, including a 10,000-square-foot skateboard park! There’s also an incredible children’s playground area, baseball diamonds and a soccer field, and courts for basketball, beach volleyball and pickleball. The Complex's expansive green space also allows for hosting major outdoor events like drone shows or fireworks during the Canada Day evening celebrations. This is the place to find something for every member of the family!
Rural Community Parks
Aside from Creston, most rural communities in the area also have their own parks. These parks are ideal for hosting large events and gatherings like family reunions and weddings, and they offer a range of recreational amenities.
Lister Park: With picture perfect views of the Skimmerhorns in the east, this serene park surrounded by farms and fields is a popular spot for picnics and family get-togethers. It offers various facilities, including a baseball diamond, volleyball and basketball courts, a playground, picnic tables, a covered eating area, and restrooms. Moreover, it is home to Creston's first disc golf course - a nine-hole layout that offers an entertaining challenge for players of all levels. Situated just a short distance from Kootenay Meadows Farm, it also serves as an ideal spot to unwind after exploring the dairy farm and savouring some of their delicious ice cream!
Canyon Community Park and Campground: Situated on the east side of the valley under the Skimmerhorns, this picturesque park is ideal for group gatherings or family reunions. The park operates 14 pet-friendly campsites from May to September, providing showers, washrooms as well as a covered dining pavilion and outdoor kitchen. Additionally, the park features a playground for children, horseshoe pits, a fitness trail, an equestrian arena, and a great baseball diamond.
Yahk-Kingsgate Community Centre: Situated in the delightful hamlet of Yahk, this community hall and park serves as a lively hub of activity, hosting yoga classes, jam sessions, and various other community events. The outdoor facilities include an outdoor kitchen, music pavilion, multi-use sport court, bocce and horseshoe pits, and a baseball diamond. With its indoor hall, gym, and kitchen, along with its convenient proximity to accommodations and nearby general stores, the Community Centre is frequently rented out for family reunions or weddings during the summer season!
West Creston Commuity Hall & Wynndel Community Centre: Slightly smaller in size, the West Creston Community Hall and Wynndel Community Centre each host rural halls also popular for hosting events, family gatherings, and weddings. Both locations also have outdoor grounds ideal for families seeking to relish nature. Additionally, Wynndel Community Centre features an excellent playground, abundant green spaces for children, a winding creek-side path, and even it's own disc golf course!
Wilderness Areas & Provincial Parks
If you enjoy nature and prefer spending time outdoors near untouched rivers, lakes, wetlands, forests and mountains, there are also plenty of parks and wilderness areas to explore.
Riverside Wilderness Park: Operated by the Trails for Creston Valley Society, this rustic park provides the only public access to Goat River along a river rock sandbar. Just a few minutes south of Creston along Highway 21, in the summer it’s perfect for a refreshing dip in the river and in the fall t’s a great spot to enjoy the leaves changing colour. To preserve its natural allure, amenities are minimal, limited to a small parking area and portable toilet. Come prepared and remember to pack out what you pack in!
Stagleap Provincial Park: Located at the summit of Kootenay Pass west of Creston on Highway 3, this park provides immediate access to the surrounding Selkirk mountains and subalpine forests. Visitors seeking a short stroll can explore Bridal Lake just off the highway, while more experienced hikers may opt to hike the Ripple Ridge and Cornice Ridge trails for some breathtaking mountaintop scenery. In the winter the park also becomes a back-country skiing mecca for the region, with excellent snowpack, access and the Ripple Ridge & Lightning Strike cabins available to rent.
Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area: If you’re looking for a quick stroll or a longer walk of a few hours, the CVWMA is the place to go — and it’s a safe bet you’ll see a range of wildlife from the western painted turtle to the great blue heron, or maybe even a black bear. After all, this 7,000-hectare wetland in West Creston is home to 300 bird, 60 mammal, 17 fish, six reptile and six amphibian species! For those eager to delve deeper into the wonders of the CVWMA, a visit to the nearby Kootenay Columbia-Discovery Centre is highly recommended. The centre provides a wealth of educational resources and experiences, including guided walking tours and canoe excursions led by their knowledgeable staff.
Kianuko Provincial Park: Located north of Creston, Kianuko Provincial Park is popular with experienced hikers seeking adventure in a pristine wilderness setting. Spanning over 11,638 hectares, this park offers a range of one-day and multi-day hiking options that cater to different skill levels and preferences. The park's landscape is a breathtaking mix of rugged terrain, alpine lakes, and meadows, surrounded by towering cedar-hemlock, spruce, and larch forests, which transform into a stunning palette of orange and yellow hues in the fall. The Sanca Creek Trail leading to Haystack Mountain on the park's western side is a popular route, offering an excellent day hike to a picturesque mountain basin dotted with small alpine lakes and the aforementioned mountain in the backdrop.
Beach Parks on Kootenay Lake
Located north of Creston on Highway 3A, known as "up the lake road" by locals, are also several fantastic public beach parks on Kootenay Lake’s East Shore. These parks are popular destinations for day trips from Creston during the summer, attracting visitors who want to swim in one of British Columbia's largest lakes!
A short drive along Highway 3A will first bring you first to Twin Bays Beach, easily the most popular on Kootenay Lake, with it's soft sand and the warm, shallow water. Then there’s Mackie Beach in Boswell, a rustic pebble beach in a bay that faces south . Farther north is the equally pebbly Lockhart Beach, which offers amenities such as bathrooms, picnic tables, and stellar views of the Selkirk Mountains across the lake. Last is the Crawford Bay Regional Park Beach, known for its sandy beach and warm waters due to its location at the bay's end, facing south towards the sun! (One of these would be well worth a a visit on a trip along the East Shore — click here to check out my suggestions for that.)
Get Out and Explore
With so many options nearby, there’s no reason not to knock as many of these parks off your bucket list as possible! Most of them are just a short drive away from Creston, making it convenient to head out for a quick adventure and return to town for a delightful dinner and evening entertainment. Explore the rest of our website for some great dining spots, things to do, and upcoming events. Also, do check out some of our other blog articles for more ideas to spark your imagination and inspire your trip. And be sure to follow Explore Creston Valley on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest information and recommendations for exploring the region!
Until next time, enjoy the outdoors as you visit the Creston Valley’s many parks!
Freelance writer Brian Lawrence is a former editor and publisher of the Creston Valley Advance. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking and trail running, and acting in and directing productions with Creston's Footlighters Theatre Society.
