Overview

Cranbrook, in the Columbia Valley, offers a combination of city and country amenities, with snow-capped peaks as a backdrop, and lush valleys and pristine lakes. It’s a great place to visit with the entire family.

Location

Cranbrook is situated on Highway 3, in the Province of British Columbia, Canada, northwest of Glacier National Park.

Services/Amenities

A vast selection of restaurants is yours to choose from in Cranbrook. Find the same great fast foods that offer quick snacks in the United States, as well as country and family dining, coffee and juice bars, steak houses, Bavarian cooking, pizza and delicious Mexican food.

You have many options in choosing what accommodations you’d like for your stay. Small traditional motels and hotels offer plenty of amenities to make your trip pleasant, and there are lodges, inns, resorts and Bed & Breakfasts to browse to see where you’d prefer to make your home base. Get a room with a view, a guest ranch package including activities. There’s much to choose from so take your time and pick the best for you and your family.

Activities

• Hiking
  Trails take you though the Cranbrook Community Forest or the South Star Recreation Area, but for some extra challenge, hike on up to Fisher Peak.
• Mountain Biking
  There’s a whole network of trails where the varied terrain is perfect for biking.
• Fishing
  Anglers love the glacier-fed rivers and lakes where they can find some of the largest trout in the world, along with the mountain scenery and wandering wildlife. Discover catches of rainbow trout, cutthroat, whitefish and bass. Go to the Arrow Lakes, Trout Lake or Lake Koocanusa.
• Wildlife Viewing
  Some terrific wildlife roams these forests, everything from deer, moose, elk and grizzlies to mountain sheep, cougars and wolves.
• Gold Panning
  Not only is gold panning a way to get outdoors, but it also can be remunerative. Even if not, it’s still fun to dream. Try the Moyie River, Perry Creek, Findlay Creek and Palmer Bar Creek.
• Skiing
  Winter recreation in the BC Rockies is the best, and there’s even a ski resort nearby where you can really try out the slopes.

Attractions

• Elizabeth Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
  In this large marshland, all types of birds and waterfowl pass through. You’ll also spot turtles, elk, moose and muskrats.
• Canadian Museum of Rail Travel
  Tour this museum to see a great collection of restored classic railcars and locomotives.
• Kootenay Trout Hatchery
  Visit the Kootenay Trout Hatchery. See where up to 3 million baby trout are raised each year. Kids can even feed the big fish in the moat. It’s an educational experience for everyone.
• Gilnockie Creek Ecological Reserve
  Take the loop past Moyie Lake and following some crystal clear creeks back into Cranbrook. Enjoy the wildlife you’ll see and some of the oldest trees in the area.

Getting Here

To get to Glacier National Park from Cranbrook, BC, simply get onto Highway 3, travel to Highway 93, continuing on US 93 to MT 40. This will take you to US 2 and Glacier. It’s a 2 hour and 47 minute drive of scenic beauty.