Major city · Canada
Kaslo
Give Kaslo one night, two if you hike or kayak: the SS Moyie and the lakefront take half a day, the rest is water and trails.
Kaslo is a village of under 1,000 people on the west shore of Kootenay Lake, 65 km north of Nelson on Hwy 31. It was a silver-mining port in the 1890s and keeps that stock of buildings, plus the oldest intact passenger sternwheeler in the world. Almost everyone arrives by car; there is no commercial flight and buses run a few days a week.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (short days, snow, many places closed)
- Airports
- YCG · YLW
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kaslo911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- BC health advice line (24 h, nurses)811
- BC poison control1-800-567-8911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kaslo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are cold, fast-rising lake water, mountain roads and wildlife.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 811 BC health advice line (24 h, nurses) · 1-800-567-8911 BC poison control
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYCG West Kootenay Regional (Castlegar) (Closest airport with scheduled service; about 2 h by road.).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$3–6 (≈ US$3–5)
- Sit-down mealPub main courseC$20–32 (≈ US$15–25)
- Street or quick mealBreakfast in a caféC$12–20 (≈ US$9–15)
- BeerDraught beerC$7–9 (≈ US$6–7)
- Budget bedProvincial-park or municipal campsite, a night, per roomC$25 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedProvincial-park or municipal campsite, a night, per roomC$35 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedProvincial-park or municipal campsite, a night, per roomC$45 (≈ US$35)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YCG West Kootenay Regional (Castlegar) (Closest airport with scheduled service; about 2 h by road.) · YLW Kelowna International (Larger gateway; long drive with a lake crossing.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Nov (15 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kaslo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
14 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
11 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
12 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
15 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. The commercial strip is about one block long and the whole village is flat and small; park on a side street. A car is needed for Mount Buchanan, the spawning channel and the provincial park campgrounds. BC Transit Health Connections runs to Balfour a few days a week and must be reserved in advance.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ainsworth Hot Springs
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Hwy 31 south along the lake, then the Kootenay Lake ferry at Balfour if you continue
Cave pool and hot pools; book a slot in summer.
Door to door: 1–1.5 h
Hwy 31 south to Balfour, then Hwy 3A; or the free Kootenay Lake ferry from Balfour to Kootenay Bay for the east-shore loop
65 km (40 mi) each way; the ferry route is the slower, better-looking option.40 mi (65 km) each way; the ferry route is the slower, better-looking option.
Meadow Creek Spawning Channel
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Hwy 31 north about 45 min
Kokanee salmon run late Aug–Oct; outside that window there is little to see.
New Denver and Sandon
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Hwy 31A west over the pass
Sandon is a ghost town on a rough road; check conditions first.
Door to door: About 2 h
Hwy 31 south, then Hwy 3A and Hwy 3
Too far for a day return; use it as an airport transfer instead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lower Kaslo (Front St and the lakefront)
Shops, the SS Moyie, the beach and the municipal campground; walk to everything.
Upper Kaslo (4th St and Washington St N)
Residential, quieter, a few minutes uphill from the water; better views.
Hwy 31 north (Kootenay Lake Provincial Park)
Two BC Parks campgrounds, Lost Ledges and Davis Creek, 25 and 30 km (19 mi) north; vehicle needed.Two BC Parks campgrounds, Lost Ledges and Davis Creek, 25 and 19 mi (30 km) north; vehicle needed.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or guesthouse double1 × 1 night × C$170 | C$170 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| SS Moyie entry, one adult2 × C$7 | C$14 |
| Kayak rental, half day2 × C$60 | C$120 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$67 |
| Trip total≈ C$371 per person per day, bed included | C$741≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; fuel and long-distance travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$3–6 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Breakfast in a café | C$12–20 (≈ US$9–15) |
| Pub main course | C$20–32 (≈ US$15–25) |
| Draught beer | C$7–9 (≈ US$6–7) |
| Grocery run for two, one day | C$30–50 (≈ US$25–40) |
| Gasoline, per litre | C$1.60–1.90 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Kootenay Lake can go from flat calm to rough fast: sudden winds, cold water, no lifeguards. Stay near shore in a kayak.
- Mount Buchanan Forest Service Road is steep and rough in places; a high-clearance vehicle is safer.
- Cell coverage and Wi-Fi are patchy outside the village; download maps and trail info before you leave.
- Bear country: carry bear spray on backcountry trails and store food properly at campgrounds.
- Many businesses run seasonal hours and close in winter: check before you drive.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- BC health advice line (24 h, nurses)
- 811
- BC poison control
- 1-800-567-8911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KasloKaslo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- BC health advice line811
Embassy
No consulates in Kaslo. US: consulate general in Vancouver; UK and other partners: embassies in Ottawa.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kootenay Lake ferry, Balfour–Kootenay Bay: free, 35–45 min crossing, no reservation
- Mountain Man Mike's bus, Kaslo–Nelson: about 1 h, a few days a week, reserve ahead
- BC Transit Health Connections, Kaslo–Balfour: reserved trips, three days a week
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Sorry — Sorry / excuse me
- Is the trail open? — Is the trail open?
- Card, please — Card, please
- Where is the beach? — Where is the beach?
- Bear in the area? — Bear in the area?
Tipping: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% for taxis. Sales tax is added at the till.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kaslo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (short days, snow, many places closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YCG and YLW: last-leg drive times, winter road status, taxi and shuttle fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Front St, the lakefront and SS Moyie, Upper Kaslo, the Kaslo River Trail.
- Place pages with verified hours and cutoffs (SS Moyie, Village Hall, visitor centre, Kaslo River Trail) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal and hostile arrival fixtures: winter closures, ferry waits, wildfire smoke, so gates A–D can go green.