This Canadian highway is perfect for an idyllic road trip
The British Columbia portion of Highway 3, also known as Crowsnest Highway, offers one hidden gem after another—from small town charm to hiking, camping, and canoeing.
In a province as big and beautiful as British Columbia, it can be hard to find a drive that stands out from the rest. However, Highway 3, better known as the Crowsnest Highway, takes drivers through lush forests, semi-arid grasslands, high mountain peaks, and valleys. This route runs from Hope, British Columbia, all the way to the edge of the province and beyond into Alberta.
The highway’s name comes from Crowsnest Pass, although the origin is up for some debate. The British Columbia portion is around 520 miles long (around 830 kilometers), but it’s mile after mile of hidden gem after hidden gem, especially if you slow down and take notice of some of the smaller communities along the drive. The drive itself can be done in one day, but if you break it up over a few days, you can explore the many wonderful sites, lakes, towns, and parks along the way.
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E.C. Manning Provincial Park
Almost right after leaving Hope, you'll enter E.C. Manning Provincial Park, often called Manning Park. Manning Park has no shortage of activities for people who enjoy outdoor adventure. Visitors can explore numerous hiking trails, with varying levels of difficulty, and enjoy activities like canoeing on the lakes found within the park. Canoe, stand-up paddleboard, and kayak rentals are available at Lightning Lake.
Along with a fully developed resort with cabins, a restaurant, and a store, Manning Park also has 450 front-country car camping sites and 55 backcountry sites.
Rock Creek/Midway/Greenwood
This cluster of small towns in British Columbia’s Boundary Country is easy to explore as you’re driving through. As you are coming down from Anarchist Mountain from the Okanagan Valley, Rock Creek is the first town you'll see. This lovely little town is right on the Kettle River, a popular tubing and recreation spot during the warmer months, but it also has a great Saturday Farmer’s Market that runs from May to October. The Prospector Pub and Hotel is worth a stop; the patio overlooks the Kettle River and is a great spot to have lunch.
Just east of Rock Creek is the town of Midway. The Kettle River Museum is right along the highway and is located at “Mile 0” on the Kettle Valley Railway, which once ran throughout the region. Here you can learn all about the history of the area and the railway. The museum is located in the original Station House of the KVR and it’s possible to rent out the bunk house.
Greenwood is a wonderful little community to drive through and an even better one to stop in. At one point, Greenwood boasted the best municipal water in the world. Beyond the award-winning water, Greenwood is packed with restaurants and cafes, including Deadwood Junction, a must-visit spot with great food and coffee, along with locally produced artisanal goods. Just outside of town, Jewel Lake Resort and Jewel Lake Park are picturesque places to spend either the night or a few days.
Grand Forks
Located at the confluence of the Granby and Kettle rivers, Grand Forks is the spot for outdoor adventures along the west end of the Crowsnest Highway.
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Grand Forks has a vibrant downtown that’s filled with shops and cafes, but where this area really shines is in the trails surrounding the city. Grand Forks is home to trails that can be found in and around town, ranging from easy and flat to hard and hilly, depending on your preferences and skill level. These trails are perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities (like horse riding) and provide an excellent way to explore and see local wildlife like bighorn sheep, mule deer, and, if you’re lucky, rattlesnakes.
Nearby Christina Lake, about a 10-minute drive east, has another 29 trails to choose from, along with Christina Lake itself, which is ideal for swimming, fishing, and boating.
PV Ranch Adventures, located just north of Grand Forks, has cabins, campsites, and RV spots.
Fernie
Fernie would hardly be considered a hidden gem by any standard, but you can’t talk about the Crowsnest Highway without at least mentioning this resort town.
However, before you stop in Fernie, it’s a good idea to take a breather in Yahk to get ice cream at Two Scoop Steve and visit the goats at the Yahk Soap and Candle Co. Once you’ve had your fill of ice cream and goats, Fernie is about two hours east of Yahk and is a hot spot for outdoor activities.
Fly fishers can book a day on the water with the Elk River Guide Company and experience a world-renowned fishery. Mountain bikers (and hikers) can chase the stoke in eight different trail zones around the city. And everyone can come unwind with a beer at the Fernie Brewing Company at the end of the day. You can also use Fernie as a central point to explore places like Sparwood, home of the Terex Titan dump truck, one the world’s largest. It can fit two Greyhound buses and two pickup trucks in its bed at once.
Bonus stop
Just beyond the provincial border into Alberta is the Crowsnest Pass area. This region is made up of a handful of different communities and is filled with history. The Frank Slide, an infamous mining disaster that happened in the early morning hours of 1903, can be found here. The rubble was never moved and the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre here allows you to learn about the tragedy.
If you drive a little farther beyond the border, you’ll find the town of Lundbreck, about 30 minutes down Highway 3. This little hamlet is home to Oldman River Brewing, which is well worth the trip.
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