Kikomun Creek Provincial Park is only 22 miles north of Roosville, British Columbia. The park is kind of a surprise as you roll north along this heavily forested stretch of U.S. Highway 93. Kikomun is known for its painted-turtle habitat, a refuge for the endangered species. Bordering Lake Koocanusa, the park offers fishing for trout or bass as well as hunting, in season. Licenses and regulations for fishing and hunting are available via BC Parks. Camping is allowed between May 6 and Sept. 29 in two campgrounds, Surveyors and Ponderosa. Choose from an on-site cabin or sites suitable for tents or small RVs. Reservations are available through BC Parks Discover Camping Reservations Service. Other activities include canoeing, hiking, biking and swimming. A boat launch on Lake Koocanusa is available.
Fernie is the next stop on your journey north. It’s 42 miles north of the border and reachable by heading northeast on B.C. Highway 3, the connecting road near Kikomun Creek Provincial Park. Fernie was founded by William Fernie, a local coal mine owner. Though coal still plays a part in the local economy, it is the Fernie Alpine Resort that garners most of the tourist attention. Between early December and mid-April skiers come to challenge the runs that crisscross the Lizard Range. In summer those same trails become hiking paths. Between the end of June and the beginning of September, the resort provides guided hikes suitable for all skill levels. The most intense hike is the Polar Peak Tour, which takes you to the top of the 7,010-foot mountain. Mountain bike and zipline parks are also available. Mount Fernie Provincial Park, just southwest of town, offers more camping and recreational opportunities.
If you stay on Highway 93 you’ll find Cranbrook, located 63 miles from Roosville. Mission Hills Golf Course, Wildstone Golf Course and the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino are all within easy reach of downtown. The latter course, owned and operated by the Ktunaxa Nation, includes a full-service hotel, restaurants and a place to try your luck at the slot machines or gambling tables. Guest ranches and horseback-riding tours are also big draws in the Cranbrook area. The closest venue is the Three Bars Guest Ranch, which books all-inclusive dude ranch vacations. Combine horseback riding through the mountains with a bit of fishing, hiking, mountain biking or skeet shooting. Visit Cranbrook between August and October and take in the Farmers Market held every Saturday at Rotary Park. The third weekend in August also brings the annual Cranbrook Pro Rodeo, a chance to see bucking broncos and ornery bulls in action.
Fort Steele was a gold mining town built in the 1860s that literally rolled up its sidewalks when the gold rush was over. By 1960 it was no more than a collection of aging buildings and dusty streets. But a year later the provincial government declared the town a historic treasure and the revamping began. Located a mere 9 miles north of Cranbrook, Fort Steele welcomes visitors to tour the vintage buildings, visit the farm animals and watch farmers till the soil and bale hay the old-fashioned way. The Wild Horse Theatre stages homegrown productions like "The Great Cattle Caper." Its actors regularly roam the streets portraying some of the more famous, or infamous, characters from the gold rush days. Fort Steele is open year-round except for Christmas Day, but services and hours are limited during the winter. The closest places to stay are the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino, about a 15-minute drive, and the Fort Steele Campground, across the street and open year-round.
