Best Summer Activities
in British Columbia

A Nature Lover’s Paradise near The Josie Hotel in Rossland BC

Super, natural British Columbia is a nature lover’s paradise no matter the time of year. However, the summer truly opens up the province to its greatest potential. Without needing to worry about its famous snowfalls and with summer temperatures that can reach into the 30s (Celsius, that is!), the land and water becomes accessible to all. Although the list of activities available in a landmass that covers almost 1 million square kilometers (over 350,000 square miles) is virtually endless, in this article we detail some of the best summer activities in British Columbia; especially those specific to the Kootenay Rockies.

Witness The Salmon Run

After maturing in the Pacific Ocean, the five species of Pacific Salmon (Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Chum and Pink) return to the province’s freshwater streams to spawn and subsequently die. Millions of salmon will swim hundreds of miles inland to reach their original place of birth where they also spawn like their ancestors before them. Because of this, salmon can be spotted throughout BC streams from midsummer to late fall. The fish also attract predators such as bears and eagles who use the salmon as a food source to bulk up for the winter. The incredible spectacle of witnessing hundreds, if not thousands, of massive fish in shallow waters is something that isn’t easily forgotten. Feel free to contact The Josie’s concierge team to find out the best times and places for viewing.

Visit The Four National Parks Of The Kootenays

Four of British Columbia’s seven national parks are located in the Kootenays. This gives you a little hint about the natural splendour of the area. Outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, boating, golfing and fishing, to name a few, are excellent ways to commune with nature. And after a long day out in the sun, there’s no better way to relax than sitting in one of the half dozen commercially developed hot springs or searching out the many undeveloped natural hot spring pools.

Go Spelunking

To spelunk is to explore natural caves. The subterranean Cody Caves Provincial Park was created in 1966 to protect the best known cave system in British Columbia. Because of the delicate nature of the limestone caves, they can only be visited by guided tours that are suitable for anyone over the age of five. There are about 800 metres (875 yards) of explorable caves, but tours can take anywhere from two to seven hours depending on the difficulty levels chosen. The nearby Ainsworth hot springs originate in the Cody Caves and are considered to be the best commercially developed hot springs in the province.

The Josie Hotel

The Josie, located at the base of Red Mountain in Rossland, BC, allows visitors to make the most of the summer weather with its easy access to the entire Kootenay Rockies region. If you need help finding the best summer activities in British Columbia, feel free to contact The Josie for more information.