Known for its unspoiled and private settings, Nelson's outdoors plays host to a myriad of activities all year round. In summer time enjoy a variety of campgrounds in the Nelson area. Private, municipal, provincial, and Forest Service recreation sites are accessible by vehicle, boat, or foot.

Hiking

Hiking is probably the most popular outdoor recreation Nelson has to offer. There are more trails just above town that can be named. And that’s just the start. The Ministry of Forests has developed a vast series of recreation trails that stretch throughout the farthest reaches of the West Kootenay.

Most of these start at the ends of logging roads, taking you to the magnificent mid and high elevation regions. These usually require a little more effort to reach than the more informal trails in the low country. They can often be accessed with two wheel drive cars, although high clearance trucks and four wheel drive is highly recommended in areas you are not familiar with.

Another interesting area near Nelson is the Marsden Face and Grohman Creek drainage. While there are no actual marked trails there, the area is an amazing place to explore, closed to all traffic but logging operators to protect the sensitive wildlife and domestic watersheds in the area. Some restoration work in the area has produced a high concentration of wildlife of all sizes.

Nelson Mountain Biking

Rising from the shores of Kootenay Lake's West Arm, the area's steep mountains are a source of inspiration for the hard-core mountain biker. Once you've had a chance to ride the area's many challenging trails, you'll recognize that the Nelson area is, indeed, mountain biking heaven.

If steep single-track mountain biking is more your speed, most of the trails around Nelson are accessed from Svoboda Road, Mountain Station Road, and along Giveout Creek FSR. All of these areas are generally multi-use, so look out for hikers and horse back riders on the trail.

These areas all mean encroaching to some extent on private land, so these cardinal rules are especially important here: NO DOGS, AVOID DISTURBING CREEKS, NO LITTERING, STAY ON THE TRAIL, BE POLITE. The landowners here have been generally tolerant. Please help keep it that way.

For a more mellow ride, Sproule Creek offers a nice, gradual 5 km trail that almost anyone can ride. There is also the rail grade that runs above Nelson. This trail has had the rails pulled and should soon form part of the Kootenay Loop section of the Trans Canada Trail, connecting Castlegar to Salmo through Nelson.

Kayaking

Paddlers have a virtually unlimited playground to explore in the Nelson area, thanks to the clear waters of Kootenay Lake. You can access the water right from town. Downstream (west) will draw you through the Grohman Narrows, past the Taghum Bridge and into the mouth of the Kootenay River. This route unfortunately ends after about 15 kms when you reach the Corra Linn dam. Upstream opens into a wider, more populated series of bays with shorelines dotted with magnificent mansions, and quaint bungalows. If you go far enough, you will pass Balfour and enter the main body of Kootenay Lake.

For the slightly more intrepid, Kootenay Lake is magnificent place to explore. The south-west and north-east shores are about as far from civilization as civilized people will want to go. The other two shores are fairly populated, although restaurants and supply stores are few and far between. The lake is large here, and the weather unpredictable, so make sure you take extra supplies and precautions should disaster strike.

Other interesting areas to paddle that are a little further away from Nelson include Slocan Lake, the Little Slocan Lakes, the Upper and Lower Arrow Lakes, and Columbia River.

Snow Sports

Come winter time, the snow no longer shuts down the mountains to travel as it did in years gone by. Today, the dry, fluffy powder, which falls for almost six consecutive months, brings it to life with the sounds of adventure. Most people head out to the local Whitewater Ski Resort to ride their lifts to the top and their groomed runs and extensive backcountry trails back down.

For the more adventurous, the Kootenays offer an unlimited amount of terrain to play in. Ski touring, snow boarding, and telemarking can be done virtually anywhere here. But there is some information on established routes, boot packs, and snow conditions that is vital to any winter adventure. And there are some places that have such magical pitches and descents, that they cannot be found by chance. Some of these places can be easily accessed up the Whitewater Resort road and in the Stagleap Park at the top of the Kootenay Pass. Others you will need to be introduced to personally, by a guide. All of these activities are very dangerous and should not be attempted by novice users. Find a guide to take you if you can. Otherwise, proceed with caution and take bear spray, extra food and clothing with you every time.

If you’re heading out in winter, learn about the way snow behaves on slopes before you go. Avalanche safety courses are offered in Nelson throughout the winter, and are a must before any expedition. Avalanche updates can be accessed at the Canadian Avalanche Society’s website.